Cynodon spp. Shariff.R.M

Transcription

1 Cynodon spp Shariff.R.M

2 Scientific name - Cynodon aethiopicus - Cynodon nlemfuensis - Canodon plectostachyus general similarity in appearance between the above mentined, thus considerable cofusion in the taxonomic affiliation of many specimens Synonyms: - Cynodon parodii - Cynodon dactylon var. samentosus

3 Family:Poaceae ( Gramineae Subfamily: Chloridoideae Tribe: Cynodonteae Common names: the most well known are: - Ethiopian dog s tooth grass - Stargrass ( Englisch) - nakuro ( kenya) - African bermuda grass (Englisch) - Hawaiiano ( Spanisch- Costa Rica)

4 native to: Mostly from tropical east africa, although extending in Angola Naturalised throughout tropics and subtropics,, in disturbed areas of grass land, cattle paddocks and road sides

5

6 Morphological discription: A largely robust, sometimes fine, woody stoloniferous clums to 100cm tall ( var. Robustus) ) 3mm near the base Flat leaf blades, green to purblish-red red,, cm long,, mm wide Deep rooted group of perennials. Inflourescence a digitate or sub digitate panicle, comprising spike-like recemes 3-11 cm long,, in 1-71 whorls Spiklets green,, red or purple,, mm long

7

8 late in season beginning of growing season

9 Adaptation Sun/shade full sun only, little shade tolerance Soil: will tolerate a wide range of soils, ph 5.5-7, does not tolerate salt Moisture: excellent drought tolerance, grows best in moist soils, mm rainfall Fertility medium to high Temperature and altitude: occurs from about 15 N 15 S, >2,300 m asl, annual temperature range C

10 Uses and applications: can be grazed or harvested for Hay or silage for Cut and Carry Useful live mulch and ground cover for weed control and soil conservation Management: Due to minimal seed set, they are mostly propagated vegetatively using stolons (runners)) at a rate of 1 ton/h, should be free of Cynodon dactylon A solid stand can be achieved in 3 monthes, new sprigs are drought succeptible should be mosit kept

11 Fertiliser: Initial application of 40 Kg/h NPK each is needed for good establishment, followed by Kg/h N after 30 days DM yields can be improved by adding 10 kg/h monthly at least Cut and Carry: Kg N/h should be applied after each cut (4-6 weeks) stuble Height: : cm maintained, allowing the sward to get cm

12 Compatibility (with other Spp): Very vigorous grasses that, unmanaged can overgrow associated legumes, However can be mixed by (Arachis pentoi, Desmodium uncinatum), (Trifolium( repens) To certain extent, can be shaded out by taller grasses and trees Pests and diseases: Rust caused by Puccinia graminis, Helminthosporium leaf-spot Leaf blight disease (Rhizoctonia solani) Spiklet diseases caused by Fusarium

13 Nematodes include the stubby root (Thrichodorus),spiral (Helicotylenchus Build up of nematodes under star grass can lead to severe consequences in nematode- susciptible vegetable and ornamental crops. Nutritive value: The same as the most star grass when harvested after 4-6 weeks Under good management CP% 11-16% 16% The more the rest period reduced the more enhanced the value P level in the dried matter of %, 0.4%, and calcium % 0.5%

14 Strenghs Rapid establishiment from vegetative cuttung Persistent when properly managed. Drought tolerant Some Spp are doing well in cool season with adequate moisture and fertility Palatable and high quality forage when harvested regularly Limitations: No seed available Low productivity during dry period. Top growth killed by frost. Requires higher fertility than any other grass Spp,, as Digitaria eriantha Forage quality drops rapidly after 5 weeks of regrowth and following heavy frost Acceptability to cattle declines rapidly with time Produce high HCN

15 Conclusion: high levels of HCN has been reported bcausse of the mistaken identification of the Spp in question such varieties are much adopted by Cut and carry for market oriented system, rather than hoshold level, due to the many previously mentioned limitations

16 References A.H. Bruneau, C.H. Peacock, R.J. Cooper, E.J. Erickson., CYNO SPP. MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE UPPER TRANSITION ZONE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, ISHS Acta Horticulture 661,international conference on turf grass management and science for sports field. Tropical forages don_spp.htm

17 Thank You!