Question

Which among the following is the temperate grass?

• A. White and red clover
• B. Napier grass
• C. Setaria grass
• D. Guinea grass

Hint:

Think about which option is a cool season legume rather than a warm season tropical grass.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Forage plants are grouped as temperate (cool season) or tropical (warm season) based on the climate they are naturally adapted to and grow best in. Temperate forages grow well in cooler regions and often go dormant or die back in hot weather, while tropical forages thrive in warm, humid conditions.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
We need to check the natural climatic adaptation of each option listed, keeping in mind that clovers are legumes commonly grown as temperate forage, while Napier, Setaria and Guinea grasses are grasses adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
White clover and red clover are cool season legume forages, widely grown in temperate pastures of hill regions and cooler climates, and they are the classic example of temperate forage in Indian fodder cropping systems.
Napier grass (elephant grass), Setaria grass (foxtail grass) and Guinea grass are all tall, fast growing grasses that are naturally adapted to warm tropical and subtropical climates and are grown widely as fodder grasses in the plains of India during the warmer months. None of them are classified as temperate.

Step 4: Final Answer:
White and red clover is the temperate forage among the options given.