Saccharum spontaneum
Description
Morphology
Perennial plant, 2 to 3 meters tall. Very resistant, with horizontal rhizomes, forming very loose clumps. Thin stems, full, upright, long bluish-green leaves (60-120 cm), with very pronounced, broad whitish mid rib. Inflorescence in the shape of a very long panicle (30-50 cm).
Generally it does not bear fruit. Most often cross-pollinated, n=28 or more.
Geography
Native to tropical Asia, it is now widespread in the countries of the southern Mediterranean (Egypt, Arabia, North Africa) and tropical Africa.
Culture
Chemical Composition
| In % | Water | Nitrogen | Fat | Soluble carbohydrates | Fibrous carbohydrates | Ashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 80 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 11.7 | 5.4 | 1.2 |
| Hay | 20 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 46.6 | 21.8 | 4.7 |
Usage
Kans Grass is very xerophilous (likes a dry environment) which enables it to perform perfectly in poor and sandy soils, dunes, deserts, etc. It supports perfectly dry and warm climates, requiring only very little water to live. In the case of frost, the stump is generally not reached, allowing the plant to endure rough winters well.
Its nutritional value is very average, animals eat it rarely, only when it is the only available resource.
Kans Grass slows the erosion encroachment of dunes in coastal and desert environments. It also acts as a good shelter against the wind in oasis.
Techniques
| Seedlings | Period |
|---|---|
| Multiplication by cuttings or clumps | After the first autumn rains (in tropical zones) or the in spring and winter (in Mediterranean zones) |
Yield varies a lot depending on the soil and rainfall.
| In q/ha | In green | In hay |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 120-320 | 30-80 |