Feeding of locally available forages is crucial in the hills of Nepal in terms of livestock production. The
forages, however, vary greatly, in terms of its availability, morphological traits, nutrient content according to
the season of their availability and the sites of their growth. Different forage species were, therefore,
evaluated in Dhading and Kavre for their seasonality and morphological traits as well as their ability to
produce the biomass. The traditional practice of feeding native grasses to the livestock by the farmers in
their homestead, terraces riser, marginal lands, forestlands, swampy lands, barren lands and bunds are very
much common and they usually grow naturally without much care. A survey was conducted to assess five
most popular forages in each site. In Dhading, Sama (Echinochloa glabrescens) and Banspate (Seteria
palmifolia) performed better than Phoo/ Khari (Celtis spp.), Chitre Banso (Digitaria ciliaris) and Kode
ghans (Eleusine indica) (p <0.00 1) in terms of plant height. Simlarly, Sarna and Phool Khari were
significantly better than others in terms of leaf number per plant (p<O.OS); while Kode ghans and Bans pate
were better than other in their tillering ability (p<O.OOI). More importantly, Sama outplayed others in terms
of their biomass yield per hectare (p<O.OO I).
In contrary, Tharkhari and Plwul Khari were taller than Phurke Khar (Arundinella nepalensis), Rato Khar
(Adenostemma lavenia) and Bans pate (p<O.OO I) in Kavre, while Phurke Khar and Banspate had least
number of leaves per plant among the tested (p<O.OOl ). Similarly, Rato Khar demonstrated the best tillering
ability among all (p<O.OO I). Above all, Plwol Khari produced the highest biomass in Kavre (p<O.OO I). In
general, many types of forage are managed for their rootstock during April and May and they start to flower
from August till October. Seeding occurs during December to January while they are harvested starting from
June till October. Sama in Dhading and Plwol Khari in Kavre exhibited the best overall performance for
their morphological and production traits. However, there is a need to verify these statistics with their ability
to perform better in terms of livestock production. Therefore, these forages will be tested for their nutritive
quality and their ability to provide efficient nutrition in animal production especially in the hills ofNepal.

Feeding of locally available forages is crucial in the hills of Nepal in terms of livestock production. The
forages, however, vary greatly, in terms of its availability, morphological traits, nutrient content according to
the season of their availability and the sites of their growth. Different forage species were, therefore,
evaluated in Dhading and Kavre for their seasonality and morphological traits as well as their ability to
produce the biomass. The traditional practice of feeding native grasses to the livestock by the farmers in
their homestead, terraces riser, marginal lands, forestlands, swampy lands, barren lands and bunds are very
much common and they usually grow naturally without much care. A survey was conducted to assess five
most popular forages in each site. In Dhading, Sama (Echinochloa glabrescens) and Banspate (Seteria
palmifolia) performed better than Phoo/ Khari (Celtis spp.), Chitre Banso (Digitaria ciliaris) and Kode
ghans (Eleusine indica) (p <0.00 1) in terms of plant height. Simlarly, Sarna and Phool Khari were
significantly better than others in terms of leaf number per plant (p<O.OS); while Kode ghans and Bans pate
were better than other in their tillering ability (p<O.OOI). More importantly, Sama outplayed others in terms
of their biomass yield per hectare (p<O.OO I).
In contrary, Tharkhari and Plwul Khari were taller than Phurke Khar (Arundinella nepalensis), Rato Khar
(Adenostemma lavenia) and Bans pate (p<O.OO I) in Kavre, while Phurke Khar and Banspate had least
number of leaves per plant among the tested (p<O.OOl ). Similarly, Rato Khar demonstrated the best tillering
ability among all (p<O.OO I). Above all, Plwol Khari produced the highest biomass in Kavre (p<O.OO I). In
general, many types of forage are managed for their rootstock during April and May and they start to flower
from August till October. Seeding occurs during December to January while they are harvested starting from
June till October. Sama in Dhading and Plwol Khari in Kavre exhibited the best overall performance for
their morphological and production traits. However, there is a need to verify these statistics with their ability
to perform better in terms of livestock production. Therefore, these forages will be tested for their nutritive
quality and their ability to provide efficient nutrition in animal production especially in the hills ofNepal.