Exploration of Roadside Weedy Grasses of Assam for Ecosystem Maintenance

Abstract

Considering the rich diversity of grasses (Family: Poaceae) and their various roles in economic and ecological services, the study was conducted to enumerate the roadside grassy species in Jorhat district of Assam and to develop a Key for identification for easy recognition of the taxa. This study revealed the presence of 26 grass species in the study area belonging to 19 genera, these were observed to be potential weeds for neighboring cropping environments and roadside infestations may act as a source of seeds for wider spread. Out of recorded species, 10 were well- known annual grasses while five other typical annual species expressed a perennial habit in roadside situations, indicating the prevalence of perennial grasses in the roadside vegetation. Our phenological observations showed that Axonopous compressus, Urochloa ramosa and Ischane globosa bloomed almost round the year, eight other species produced their flowers and fruits during the rainy season, and the remaining species bloomed in the dry winter season. Maintenance of roadside landscaping primarily as soil binder, the grassy vegetation used to build up an amicable environment for sheltering several non-grassy plant species and together acted as the primary provider of green fodder for the primary consumers, including the ruminants. With moderate to high moisture content, 5.4 to 14.88% crude protein, and 18.20 to 39.40% crude fiber, these grasses possessed good palatability. A key for the identification of the grass species was constructed based on their morphology for easy recognition of the species.