The protocol describes how Brachiaria hybrids can be negatively propagated for easy multiplication. This technology has benefited more than 20 dairy farmers in Northern Uganda who had no access to quality declared grass pasture seeds.

1. .
Mitigating the Brachiaria mulato pasture seed challenge through vegetative multiplication
Nviiri Geofrey, NgettaZARDI April, 2014
Introduction
The National Development Plan seeks to attain annual growth in livestock sector from 3.0 % to 5.4 % (NPA, 2010). Among all livestock commodities, dairy cattle
was identified to pose a high potential to enhance food and nutrition security, accelerate economic development and eradicate poverty among farming
communities in the Zone. Among the major constraints to livestock production across the developing regions, nutrition is by far the most important factor (ILRI,
1995) especially in the dry seasons. Improving pasture productivity and conservation remains the best option for sustainable dairy production. The apomictic
hybrid of Brachiaria mulato from CIAT in 1998 showed the agronomic potential though challenged with propagation challenges. This submission therfore aims
to disserminate the vegetative cost effective propagation technology for the named pasture species propagation.
For more details please contact
Director of research Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, P.O. Box 52 Lira
E-mail: ngettazardi@yahoo.com
Parameter Brachiaria
mulato
Napier grass
(D Mt/ha/yr) 20.1 16.5
CP (%) 13 11
IVOMD (%) 70 68
Comparison of Brachiaria mulato with
Napier grass
With the continued threat of Napier stunt
disease, Brachiaria mulato proves to be a
better substitute for Napier grass for small
holder farmers in Uganda based on the forage
yield and forage quality.
Establishment of Bracharia mulato
Seedlings using stolons and splits
• Stools are harvested and separated into
splits before potting.
• Pots are made by filling potting bags with
loam soil reach in organic matter and set up
under shade.
• Pre sprouted stolons or splits are then
planted into the pots
Pre-sprouted stolons ready for potting (right) and
potted stolons (left)
• Bracharia hybrid Cv. Mulato can be
planted from seed planted into a well-
prepared seedbed at 4–6 kg/ha seed but its
very expensive.
• Can be planted vegetatively from stolons
cuttings and root splits more cheaply.
Bracharia mulato establishment from root splits
at Ngetta ZARDI
Brachiaria potted splits one week after potting in
the nursery
Establishment of Bracharia mulatoRaising potted splits
•Regular watering is done under shade in
the dry season to maintain the seedlings.
•The seedlings are ready for transplanting
after 4 weeks of good management.
•When ready they are transplanted at a
spacing of 1m x 1m in the main garden
Livestock production scientist inspecting the mother
garden before split and stolon harvesting at NgettaZARDI