Dhaman grass (Cenchrus setigerus)

Local name: Kala dhaman

Dhaman grass is indigenous to India and is adapted to arid and semi arid tropical climates with long dry season. It is very tolerant of drought and grows in areas of annual rainfall as low as 200 mm, making it excellent for improvement of low rainfall grazing land. It is more tolerant than C. ciliaris. It is a leafy fodder having a tender stem which provides abundant foliage. It is adapted to arid and semi arid tropical climates with long dry season. About 8-10 tonnes of forage may be obtained in 3-4 cuttings per hectare. Sow just before the usual rainy periods in summer at the rate of 1.5-3.0 kg per hactare depending on seed supplies, cost and rapidity of cover desired.

Nutritive value

Dhaman grass contains 4.5% crude protein and 38% crude fibre. Neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre content is 72.0 and 33.0%, respectively.