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Vol II, Issue II July 2012 Multilogic in Science ISSN 2277-7601 An International Refreed & Indexed Quarterly Journal FODDER GRASSES FROM MELGHAT FOREST OF AMRAVATI DISTRICT OF VIDARBHA REGION, MAHARASHTRA G. D. Muratkar1, C.J. Cherian2 , D.M. Mate3 1Department of Environmental Science ,Arts,Science & Commerce College Chikhaldara , Dist. Amravati ,444807. 2P.G. Department of Botany , Hislop College Nagpur , Dist . Nagpur,4400011 3Department of Botany , N.A. College , Umrer , Dist. Nagpur. (Received : 21.05.2012; Revised : 16.06.2012; Accepted : 25.06.2012) Abstract The present investigations were carried out in Melghat Tiger Reserve, regarding the morphology of grasses as an aid to their correct identification, their distribution and indigenous uses in the area. The study area is globally known by its large Reserve Forest and it has rich floral diversity. From the study area 126 species of grasses belonging to 11 tribes were collected. The largest tribe was Paniceae followed by Andropogoneae having 98 and 28 species, respectively. The grasses play an important role in economy of the people of the area. Mainly, grasses are used as fodder in the area; some grasses are used for thatching and for medicinal purpose. There is deterioration of the habitat of grasses due to overgrazing. In situ conservation is recommended for future research. Key words: Taxonomic studies, grasses, indigenous uses, Melghat forest. Introduction flowering plants. The great adaptability of different species has Grasses are one to the largest and enabled them to thrive under the most valuable groups of flowering most varied conditions. They form plants, consisting of some 610 the climax vegetation of the semi genera and about 10,000 species arid prairies of the American (Cope, 1982). Clayton and Renvoize continent, the steppes of Asia and (1986) put the total number of the savannas of Africa. Grasses grasses in the world about 10,000 sp. exceed all other in the importance of 651 genera were recognized and its products. It provides food in the assigned numbers indicating their form of cereals for man and forage phylogentic status based upon for most animals. various evidences. It ranks third in number of genera after the A high proportion of the most Compositeae and Orchidaceae and fertile and productive soils of the fifth in number of species after the world were developed under a Compositeae, Orchidaceae, vegetation cover of grasses. Roots, Leguminoseae and Rubiaceae stolons, rhizomes and litter from the (Good, 1953). Grasses are annual replacement of leafy culms widespread than any other family of are not only soil binders, but also are www.ycjournal.net 73 Vol II, Issue II July 2012 Multilogic in Science ISSN 2277-7601 An International Refreed & Indexed Quarterly Journal effective soil stabilizers. In both morphological studies were carried agricultural and range forage areas, down under dissecting microscope over utilization and abuse have and different morphological resulted in the loss of vast quantities characters were observed and their of top soil by the action of wind and identification was confirmed by flora water. Through experience man has of Maharashtra(N. P. Singh and S. learned that a perennial grass cover Kartikeyan, (2001-2002). All the provides the best means of checking specimens are collected in triplicate surface soil loss and rebuilding and they were deposited in the depleted soils (Gould, 1968). herbarium of Melghat Tiger Reserve, Amravati (India). Botanical Melghat Topography : names of the plants are arranged tribe wise, followed by their local Melghat tiger reserve possesses a name, english name, distribution, unique position , the forest is of habitat and key characters to identify mixed dry deciduous with grasses of the melghat tiger reserve. dominance of teak ( Tectona grandis L ). The annual rainfall varies from Results And Discussion 1200 – 1400mm , humidity – 67 – 89 % and the temperature range The grasses of melghat forest have varies from 8 degree celcious – 39 been classified tribe wise comprising degree celcious. The meeting of ghat their voucher number, botanical is known as melghat. The tribes of name, flowering period, diagnostic melghat are gond , korku and the characters and distribution . One gavalan.The climate shows variation hundred and twenty six (126) grass due to topographic diversity. species have been studied from Melghat Tiger Reserve area. Diversity of grasses Grasses inhabit the earth in greater Methodology: abundance than any other comparable group of plants. Some The present study is the outcome of are adapted to warm, humid and the 04 years of critical, minute and tropical climate while others are systematic study of grasses and their established in the polar regions, uses by the local people of the where the growing season is two melghat forest area. Field trips were months or less and direct sunlight is carried out in every season and in all absent for many months of the year. the representative localities of the Some are important elements of area, and plants of same species marsh and swamp vegetation, and were collected from different sites other inhabit desert regions where and from different habitats to the annual precipitation is 1200 mm observe their morphological or less. Even before the time of differences. Nomenclature of each recorded history, the grains of taxon has been checked under the grasses provided a staple food rules of International Code of supply for the human race (Gould, Botanical Nomenclature. A map of 1968). The value of grasses to the area with the important places of mankind has beenrecognized since collection is given. Detailed the dawn of human civilization and www.ycjournal.net 74 Vol II, Issue II July 2012 Multilogic in Science ISSN 2277-7601 An International Refreed & Indexed Quarterly Journal culture of cereal grasses dates back racemosav(Heyne ex Roem. & to a period when Schult.) ohwi man was emerging from wild beast Voucher No 312 June-August stage. The members of this group are present in all the conceivable Plant height 19-50cm, geniculately habitats, suitable for growth of plant ascending or erect, leaf blades often communities (Mitra and Mukherjee, whitish green and toothed at 2005). Grasses are used as forage for margens, spikes laterally compressed wild and domesticated animals, with serrate outline. Upper glume range forage and soil conservation with awn about 0.7- 1.0 mm long. (Gould, 1968). 02 Dactyloctenium Melghat Forest and grasses : aegyptium(Linn.) Willd. Voucher No - 69 In the present studies 126 species of grasses from Melghat Forest area Kakdel grass Eragrostideae ,July- belonging to 11 tribes were October collected,the largest tribe was Paniceae having 68 species, while Plant upto 52cm high, rooting at the other major tribes were lower nodes. Inflorescence digitate Andropogoneae and Eragrastoideae having 4-5 secund spikes, the spikes with 32 and 26 species respectively. terminating in a pointed extension. Paniceae comprises the important Disarticulation of spikelets above the fodder species such as Brachiaria glumes . distachya, Pennisetum orienttale, Cenchrus ciliaris, Digitaria nodosa 03 Eleusine indica(Linn.) Gaertn., and Setaria glauca. There are Voucher No -36 several cultivars of Pennisetum typhoides and P. orientale, which Eragrostideae, June-November are the main species in cultivation for the food production in the area. Inflorescence digitate, composed of P. orientale and P. typhoides will 2-5 ascending spikes, 6-11 cm long, serve as a source of germ plasm in spike look like a closed zipper, this area in future. These species and Glumes persistent and equal, Leaf cultivars may be conserved in this blades flat or folded . area. The species of Andropogoneae may serve as fodder species for 04 Eragrostis ciliansis(All.) Lut. ex grazing and for storage in winter F.T. Hubbard.,Voucher No -293 when there is shortage of fodder. Dicanthium and Vetiveria zizanoides Eragrostideae , March-October of andropogoneae is a group of annulatum, Chrysopogon serrulatus, Erect or ascending, panicle 4-18.5 Heteropogon contortus, Imperata cm long, small spikelets at the base cylendrica and Sorghum halepense of inflorescence, and large on the top cover the major portion of melghat ,having oval and oblong spikelets on forest to serve for grazing. pedicel. Fodder Grasses of Melghat Tiger 05 Cynodon dactylon(Linn.) Pers.Voucher Reserve: 01 Acrachne No -173 www.ycjournal.net 75 Vol II, Issue II July 2012 Multilogic in Science ISSN 2277-7601 An International Refreed & Indexed Quarterly Journal Chlorideae ,Mostly Mar- Nov.All A grass upto 75cm long,rooting at year around. the nodes,nodes pubiscent, panicle 8.5-12.5 cm long, spikelets present Perennial grass, mostly throughout at distance from each other upto 2.8 the year. A rhizomatous, mm long. Upper glume as long as stoloniferous, perennial grass. Culms spikelet, pubiscent, 7 nerved. Lower slender, leaves narrow pointed. glume one third of the length of Inflorescence digitate having 4-5 spikelet, 3 nerved, upper lemma spikes. Spikelets on one side rugose. of rachus ,having one floret 1.9-2.3 09 Brachiaria ramosa(Linn.) Stepf , mm long, Lower glume thin Voucher No 420 nembranous, narrowly oblong, keeled.Upper glume similar to lower Paniceae , June- July&October one.Lemma membrauos ,boat shaped,3 nerved and keeled. Plant height upto 55cm, having secondary branchlets .An irregular 06 Chloris dolicostachya Lag. Voucher panicle, 8-12.5 cm long. The rachus No -330 and pedicel of main axis with sparsely stiff hair,. rachis green Chlorideae ,June-August nerved, upper glume as long as spikelet, 7 Plant Height 80cm, rooting at the lower nodes, inflorescence sub- nerved ,pubiscent membranous. digitate having 3-5 racemes, Lower gulme 3 nerved, one third of spikelets 5-7 mm long, laterally the length of spikelet ,spikelet ovate compressed. Upper glume as long as and elliptic . spikelet, 1 nerved, hyaline, Lower glume half of the length of Spikelet , 10 Cenchrus ciliarisLinn., Voucher No - hyaline, 1 nerved, scabrid on the 164 nerves.

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