Major pests Rhodes grass does better on fertile, well-structured soils and it prefers soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Field evaluation of seven grasses for use in the revegetation of lands disturbed by coal mining in Central Queensland. Seeds are ovoid, 1 mm long and can be coloured black, brown or dull green. Livestock disorders/toxicity Dealing with a feathertop Rhodes grass problem? - WeedSmart Chloris gayanacan be mixed with oats or wheat that provide protection during winter, or it can be broadcasted in maize, sorghum or cotton crops (Duke, 1983). In Australia, it was introduced by soldiers returning from the Boer wars at the beginning of the 20th century. B. ; Wanyoike, M. M., 1990. Guinea Grass, also known as panic grass, is a highly invasive weed species of pastures that has spread to nature strips, vacant land sites and roadsides. After you've measured the area you want to sow and chosen the lawn seed that best suits your needs, the first job is to prepare the soil. Nematode resistance in cultivar Katambora. Last edited on 28 February 2022, at 23:38, "Perennial pastures for Western Australia", http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ilri/x5536e/x5536e10.htm#establishment_of_improved_forages_in_natural_pastures, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chloris_gayana&oldid=1074574465, This page was last edited on 28 February 2022, at 23:38. How To Grow Grass From Seed - D.I.Y. At Bunnings - YouTube Cornell Univ., Dept. Garden Store - McKays Grass Seeds Rhodes Grass grows well in sandy soils, and will tolerate soils that are slightly saline. Env. Were here to help make winning the battle against crop weeds simple. What patch management methods do you recommend? Using it as a cover crop improves soil structure, water infiltration and water-holding capacity, and its development lowers soil temperature during summer (Valenzuela et al., 2002). DPIFQ, 2007. Data on DM degradability of feedstuffs. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) is a summer-growing, stoloniferous perennial, whose runners provide good soil cover for erosion control. Its very elongated leaves (8-28 cm long and 2-10 mm wide) are mostly hairless. Bulk discounts automatically applied at checkout! It is commonly established from seed. in length, which turn green and light brown at maturity. In late spring to early autumn spray weeds with Yates Zero Triple Strike Garden Weedkiller Concentrate - it's glyphosate-free and kills weeds fast, roots and all. Compare. CRC World dictionary of grasses: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology. SA-CC-3, Manoa, Hawaii, Walker, C. A., 1975. It is also cultivated in some areas as a palatable graze for animals and a groundcover to reduce erosion and quickly revegetate denuded soil. Its best to control weeds that are actively growing and well before they set seed. Provides nesting cover for game birds Rhodes grass, abyssinian Rhodes grass, Callide Rhodes grass, common Rhodes grass [English]; chloris, herbe de Rhodes [French]; capim de Rhodes [Portuguese]; grama de Rodas, pasto de Rodas, pasto Rhodes, zacate gordura [Spanish]; rhodesgras [Afrikaans]; koro-korosan [Philippines/Tagalog]; banuko [Philippines/Ilokano]; [Chinese]; [Japanese]. However, after the second cut, the effect of the stage of maturity on intake andin vivodigestibility was less important as these parameters remained high even with mature forage (Mbwile et al., 1997b). Chloris gayana is useful as a cover crop and soil improver, as it improves fertility and soil structure and helps to decrease nematode numbers (Cook et al., 2005). Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. There are various genetic varieties of Chloris gayana that exist like Katambora, Pioneer and Callide. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, AgNote DPI-298, 3rd Ed. The price shown is per 50 lb. Milk production on grass pastures with and without nitrogen, continuously and rotationally grazed. Rhodes grass can grow in a variety of soil conditions. In Kenya, with growing East African goats, supplementation of a poor qualityChloris gayanahay (5% DM protein) with 60 g of maize bran and 15 or 30% of legumes (Berchemia discoloror Ziziphus mucronata) increased intake, multiplied live-weight gain per 6 to 12 and increased the ammonia content of the rumen above 50 mg/l (Osuga et al., 2012), which is considered as the minimal concentration required to maximize microbial growth in the rumen (Leng, 1990). Particularly suited to sandy soils and sandy loam. [4] Its ideal soil would be anything greater than a 4.3 pH level in terms of acidity. Grassland Index. In order to maximize intake, it can be useful to allow a high level of selection of forage by cows, by offering 10 to 20% excess feed depending on the maturity and cut (Mbwile et al., 1997b). Feeding value Feathertop Rhodes grass seed is relatively short-lived in the soil, so with a dedicated approach it is possible to run down the seed bank reasonably quickly., Often the first obvious sign of feathertop Rhodes grass will be a few large plants with the seed head skeletons pointing toward the sky, he says. ARHI Insight New boy-band The Feathertop Rhodes, Integrated Weed Management Feathertop Rhodes grass (DAF Qld), Stop ryegrass in its tracks: First step is to prevent seed set. [5]:3. [12]:2 Chloris gayana can also be mixed with legumes such as cowpea, stylo, and alfalfa which also improves soil nutrient levels. There are many things to consider when buying seed, and Hancocks staff is happy to help you find the perfect solution for your needs! . The digestibility and intake of six varieties of Rhodes grass (, Moore, G., 2006. Can also be under sown into maize. Les aliments du btail sous les tropiques. It also reduced NDF content. Rhodes grass is a spring and summer-growing grass found in open woodlands and grasslands, in road margins, disturbed sites and river banks. Contribution to the study of hay production in a humid tropical environment: drying and conservation factors in Martinique. Rhodesgrass Seeds - Chloris gayana - Plaas Saad - BulkSeed.co.za https://www.feedipedia.org/node/480 Last updated on April 15, 2016, 14:23, Feedipedia - Animal Feed Resources Information System - INRAE CIRAD AFZ and FAO 2012-2022 | Copyright | Disclaimer | Login | Logout, Tables of chemical composition and nutritional value, English correction by Tim Smith (Animal Science consultant) and Hlne Thiollet (AFZ). Application or Use: Pasture, Cattle Forage, Livestock Grazing, Hay Production Sowing time Tetraploid Rhodes grasses are more suited to higher rainfall and longer season environments. Problems with growing buffalo grass from seed. As a general rule, it is best to choose a suitable sowing time for any associated legume. Agric. Get in touch and well help you choose the right Rhodes grass for your production goals, 11 Grevillea Street, Pittsworth QLD Australia. To avoid overspray, when spraying keep the nozzle as close to the weed as possible. (37) $7 .97. Chloris gayanais a full sunlight species which does not grow well under shade (Ecocrop, 2014; FAO, 2014; Cook et al., 2005). Hawaii, CTAHR Ext. management is imperative. It typically grows 1.5 m tall and wide, although some can grow to 3 m tall. Seeds: Light and fluffy, 3.5 mm long, each bearing a long ('Callide') or short (other cultivars) awn (bristle); 4 million ('Katambora') or 7 - 10 million (other cultivars) seeds/kg. [3] This low rainfall requirement means that this grass can survive in drier places. Guinea Grass reproduces from seed, so it's best to treat early when plants are actively growing and flowering. Leaves: Leaf blades are hairless except at the base near the stem, and usually of the order of 30 - 40cm long and 3 - 5mm wide, tapering to a point. Overview about Farming Rhodes Grass | Rhodes Grass - Agri During the first year of cultivation, livestock should not enter the stand until the secondary root system, which allows grass anchorage in the soil, is well established, otherwise the livestock might uproot the grass and damage the stand. It is typically suited to winter rainfall and areas with hot, dry summers. Soil treatment, plant species and management effects on improved pastures on a solodic soil in the semi arid subtropics. Plant between May and August at a rate of 10 lbs. We dont blame you! Scotts Lawn Builder 1.4kg Lawn Thickener Lawn Seed. An experiment was conducted to determine the component and summative yields of Columbus grass and Centurion species in Semi arid zone. Blair Rains, A., 1963. Scotts Lawn Builder 2.5kg Grub And Insect Control Slow Release Fertiliser. [8]:1128 Understanding the different genetic varieties of Chloris gayana is beneficial to farmers. It can be sown from spring to early autumn. Stn, 77-80. Compare. 2nd PANESA workshop, held in Nairobi, Kenya, 11-15 November 1985. Rhodes Grass grows well in sandy soils, and will tolerate soils that are slightly saline. The seeds can also remain viable in the soil for up to three years. Grass Seeds - Lawn Seeds - Bunnings New Zealand The nutritive value peaks before bloom and then quickly declines. Rhodes grass is primarily a useful forage of moderate to high quality. Factsheet PP91. Because Rhodes grass seeds are fluffy, they may need to be coated or mixed with a carrier to improve the flow through the seeder (Moore, 2006). Read more to find out how Farmer Direct brings you the best seed at the best prices. Rev., 3 (: 277-303, Lucci, C. S. ; Nogueira Filho, J. C. M. ; Borelli, V. ; Rocha, G. L. da, 1982. Once established, C. gayana often grows to form almost pure stands that smother native species. Personal communication. Knowing the different types will allow a farmer to choose what is best for their situation. *Product packaging may appear different than what is pictured. semi-arid zones, where good water Rep. Hawaii agric. We have been established for over 22 years and our core business over that time has mostly involved working to improve varieties of grasses to better meet the needs of our customers and their livestock. In Kenya and Tanzania,in vivo OM digestibility and intake of Rhodes grass by dairy cows or heifers decreased with increasing maturity after the first cut (Abate et al., 1981;Mbwile et al., 1997b). Agric., 39 (3): 307-316, Holm, J., 1971. New food resources for rabbits in Mauritius. Anim. Grassl. Silages from tropical forages. Here are some of the most common grass weeds found in Australia. This perennial weed grows between 20-50 cm tall with narrow, light green linear leaves that arise from a tuft at the base of the stem. Hay cut earlier (for example at 21 days regrowth) may have a protein content of about 15% DM, close to that of fresh grass (Tagari et al., 1977). and adapted to a large range of soil conditions and soil types. Uses / applications: Chloris gayana ( Rhodesgrass) is used in permanent pasture or as a short- to medium-term pasture ley to restore soil structure, improve organic matter levels, and reduce nematode numbers. Bermuda Couch Grass Seed $ 51.90 - $ 634.00 incl. [5]:3 Diploid types of Chloris gayana in general show good frost tolerance, salt tolerance, and drought tolerance. Chloris gayana - Wikipedia Dry matter, protein, energy and fibre intake by dairy heifers grazing a Rhodes grass (, Artus, F. ; Champannet, F., 1989. The effect of feeding level on intake and digestibility of Rhodes grass (. Hancock Seed has been constantly introducing innovative ideas and custom seed solutions for our customers since 1978. Thats why we have been a successful supplier of efficient machines and high quality seeds to farms and investors in the Middle East and Africa for close to 30 years. Sci., Plants poisonous to livestock. Let us offer you our best Farmer Direct "Grass weeds" is a term used to describe weeds that are grasses (plants from the Poaceae family) or look like grasses. Any herbicide program that relies heavily on one or two herbicide modes of action for a target weed is bound to fail eventually. Adapted to a wide variety of soil types, it is only moderately tolerant to frost but tolerant to salinity. Chloris gayanais characterized by the particularly low nutritive value of the stems compared to the leaves (Mbwile et al., 1997a; Mero et al., 1997; Milford et al., 1968). They're found in lawns, garden beds, verges and pastures. Is it valuable to you? To avoid overspray, when spraying keep the nozzle as close to the weed as possible. Rhodes Grass can produce forage for livestock and wildlife, and provide nesting cover for game birds. FTR grass is sensitive to crop competition. Intake of tropical grass, legume and legume-grass mixtures by rabbits. GST. A seeding rate of half a pound of pure live seed (PLS) per acre is recommended. Guinea Grass reproduces from seed, so its best to treat early when plants are actively growing and flowering. (1) $17 .98. Why growing Rhodes grass is a wise choice | Monitor A quote? Need help ordering 250 lbs. Are you weed smart? The leaves are narrow with a prominent mid-rib and pointed tips. The flower spikes are green or purple and crowded along the tip of the stalk. In Tanzania, goats fed a low proteinChloris gayanahay (5.7-7.7% DM) were supplemented with concentrates containing between 10-18% DM protein. Sci., 41 (2): 73-81. [3] Since this grass has good drought tolerance, it could also be beneficial to farmers for ensuring livestock are fed in times of drought. Both species are prolific seeders, producing more than 40,000 seeds per plant which can persist in the soil for up to 12 months. In Tanzania,in vivoOM digestibility decreased from 76% at 6 weeks of regrowth to 60% at 12 weeks of regrowth in cows fed fresh Rhodes grass (Mbwile et al., 1997b). Turf, Grass & Lawn Care - Seeds & Fertiliser - Bunnings Australia necessary quantity. It's tough and invasive nature can be attributed to its creeping underground stems or rhizomes, which aggressively creep into surrounding areas. Its greenish-brown seed-heads are borne at the tops of the stems. Due to its fast-growing nature, high drought tolerance and ease of seed dispersal, it has quickly become a major threat to our biodiversity by out-competing native species. Advice at Bunnings Whether it is an area for your kids to play on, entertaining guests or just something nice to look at, when growing a lawn it's important to. Once on a property it can spread easily on machinery and along irrigation channels.. Queensland J. Agric. It is best in soils with pH between about 5.5 and 7.5, but will grow down to pH 4.5 (if available aluminium and manganese levels are low) and up to 10. If this is done before the seed drops, significant costs can be avoided. Feathertop Rhodes grass, with its distinctive seed head, is steadily travelling across the country even being seen along the Eyre Highway crossing the Nullarbor Plain. Widely adapted, depending on variety. FAO, Rome, Italy, Ehrlich, W. K. ; Cowan, R. T. ; Lowe, K. F., 2003. Can be found in garden beds, lawns, roadsides, near wetlands and coastal areas. If you have any questions feel free to conctact us below. At full seed, plant height can vary from about 2 feet in the cool season (short days) to about 6 feet in the summer (long days). Rhodes grass contains approximately 2,146,000 uncoated seeds per bulk pound. These include alfalfa (Medicago sativa), stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), perenial soybean (Neonotonia wightii), centro (Centrosema pubescens), phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides),Lotononis bainesii,Desmodium uncinatumandTrifolium sp. Plants can spread into neighbouring areas via their creeping stems or stolons. Leaves: Leaf blades are hairless except at the base near the stem, and usually of the order of 30 40cm long and 3 5mm wide, tapering to a point. (50) $26 .94. Legumes: Carbon Buster stylo, burgundy bean, butterfly pea, glycine, lotononis, lucerne, medics, serradella, siratro, and white clover. In a follow-up study, with Holstein-Friesian dairy cows grazing irrigated Rhodes grass pastures (6-week grazing rotation), supplemented with 5 kg of cereal-based concentrate, increasing the stocking rate from 3.5 to 6.1 cows/ha had no effect on milk production. The flower heads appear during summer and autumn and are clustered on the ends of stems. In a comparison of temperate and tropical forages,Chloris gayanawas found to have an NDF content similar to that of Cenchrus ciliaris,but much higher than that of temperate forage species such as fescue, ryegrass, white clover and alfalfa. "Often the first obvious sign of feathertop Rhodes grass will be a few large plants with the seed head 'skeletons' pointing toward the sky," he says. The decrease in nutritive value is higher before the first cut compared to subsequent cuts, possibly because of the early flowering habit of the species (Mbwile et al., 1997b). Click the button below to get your free quote started. Alternatively, you could apply the product usingYates Zero Weeding Brush. As seeds are produced in spring and summer, the best time to control is autumn and winter, prior to weed seed setting. Effect of different cutting patterns on production and nutritive value of six grasses and six legumes. Rhodes Grass also easily spread via seeds, so seed heads must be stopped to help break the lifecycle. It makes good hay if cut at or just before early flowering, and provides better standover feed than buffel grass or the panics. Handbook of Energy Crops. Mengistu, A., 1985. Scotts Lawn Builder 750g Superstrike Hardwearing Lawn Seed. The culms are tufted or creeping, erect or decumbent, sometimes rooting from the nodes. For the control of Nutgrass on paths, driveways, car parks and areas of bare soil where no plants are to be grown in for at least the next 12 months, apply Yates Pathweeder Concentrate - kills existing weeds and in ideal conditions prevents new weeds germinating for up to 12 months. Reapply if there is any regrowth. Few pests or diseases of economic importance. Compare. Did you find the information you were looking for? Palatability declines with age, more rapidly with the onset of seeding. Plants can grow up to 1 m high, but when young or in a lawn situation they grow flat to the ground. Grass weeds grow easily in Australia's climate and spread quickly making them difficult to control. Reapply every 10-14 days if regrowth occurs. Its leaves are long and wide, while the roots go deep, down to 4.5m. North Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Hunter and Metropolitan. GST. Progressive Seeds - Supplier of Seeds for Lawns and Pastures This salt tolerance is particularly valuable in irrigated pastures where it can be cultivated without problem. Nutgrass is a common weed in lawns, garden beds, parks and pastures, and favours moist and boggy soils. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. FAO, Division de Production et Sant Animale, Roma, Italy, Haffar, I. ; Alhadrami, G., 1997. Even one cent is helpful to us! In Tanzania, lactating Friesian cows were fed with fresh Rhodes grass that was supplemented only with a small amount of salts. Fertiliser It can be a high quality forage when young (4 weeks of regrowth or less), with a protein content of over 15% DM (Mbwile et al., 1997a; Mero et al., 1997; Milford et al., 1968). They start off greenish to red-brown and as they mature, darken to brown or straw colour. Ordering more than 250 lbs. We need your help to keep providing reference-based feeding recommendations for your animals. Agronomo agronomist, Andrew Storrie says prolific seed production and its ability to withstand herbicides makes this weed difficult, but not impossible, to control. The supplement increased total feed intake, doubled the growth rate, and improved the feed conversion ratio and the lean+fat:bone ratio (Mtenga et al., 1990). Feedipedia is encountering funding shortage. In Nigeria, when Rhodes grasshay and a concentrate were offeredad libitum,the forage represented 1/3 of the daily DM intake, but this proportion was reduced to 20% when another forage was added in a 3-feed choice design (Iyeghe-Erakpotobor et al., 2006). Nutr. To ensure we give you accurate information about products and stock availability, please set your delivery location. All efforts to increase crop competition through crop and variety choice, narrower rows and stubble management will suppress FTR grass that might otherwise germinate as the temperature rise above 20 degrees C in spring. Spray when weeds are actively growing in spring and summer. Anim. Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. In terms of grazing, Chloris gayana should be grazed when the weather is not appropriate for harvesting. Make sure your soil doesn't have any rocks, scattered debris or grass in it. In fact, it can be tricky to even locate buffalo grass seeds, let alone undertaking the growing procedure. J. Japan. Used as a pasture plant for both sheep and cattle. Have a Question? Will regrow quickly after frost in tropical locations. For example, "the crop is most productive in the first two or three cuts". Rhodes grass grows on a wide range of soils from poor sandy soils to heavy clayey alkaline and saline soils (more than 10 dS/m). If the grass is used to make hay, cuttings can be done once a month (Ghl, 1982). Scotts Lawn Builder 2.5kg Seed And Turf Starter Slow Release Fertiliser. 1. Anim. Ability to spread Potential of the indigenous desert grasses of the Arabian Peninsula for forage production in a water-scarce region. 18:847-850. 21-40, Leng, R. A., 1990. It could make a valuable seed bed for horticultural crops such as zucchini, cabbage, bulb onions, and eggplant, as it provides organic matter and protection from wind and sun to the vegetables (Valenzuela et al., 2002). Did you find the information you were looking for? Improvement of nutritive value of tropical grasses by physical or chemical treatment. ability to handle repeated cutting or grazing over a number of years. For a glyphosate-free weedkiller that kills roots and all, spray weeds withYates Zero Triple Strike Garden Weedkiller Concentrate. Once established, Rhodes Grass is extremely drought-tolerant, and does not tolerate cold temperatures. Seeds germinate after heavy rains in late spring and summer. As Brome Grasses spread by seeds, its important to prevent seed set and control early in the season with a suitable weedkiller. Call us at, $33.99 (0) $42 .89. Biotech., 4 (20): 2004-2008, Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G. T. ; Muhammad, I. R., 2008. Compare. Seed should be sown on the surface of a well-prepared seedbed. Aumont et al., 1991; Bwire et al., 2003; CIRAD, 1991; Dzowela et al., 1990; French, 1943; Hassan et al., 1979; Hassoun, 2009; Holm, 1971; Mbwile et al., 1997; Mlay et al., 2006; Shem et al., 1999; Singh et al., 1992; Tagari et al., 1977; Todd, 1956; Todd, 1956; Todd, 1956; Walker, 1975; Work, 1937, CIRAD, 1991; El-Hag et al., 1992; French, 1943; Gartner et al., 1975; Hassoun, 2009; Holm, 1971; Holm, 1971; Kategile et al., 1988; Kennedy et al., 1992; Mahgoub et al., 2005; Mandibaya et al., 1999; Milford et al., 1968; Minson, 1971; Mtenga et al., 1990; Mupangwa et al., 2000; Ondiek et al., 1999; Osuga et al., 2012; Rees et al., 1980; Richard et al., 1989; Shem et al., 1999; Todd, 1956, Blair Ralns, 1963; CIRAD, 1991; Hassoun, 2009, Heuz V., Tran G., Boudon A., Lebas F., 2016. Just be careful not to spray nearby lawns or plants as it may injure or kill them. Rhodes grass - Progressive Seeds It is a leafy grass, 1-2 m in height,highly variable in habit. The key is to concentrate on preventing seed set, he says. This is a perennial grass which can reach one half to nearly three meters in height and spreads via stolons. For a more natural alternative to traditional weed control, spray weeds with Yates Zero Naturals Weed & Moss Killer - with active ingredients clove oil and acetic acid. Rhodes Grass is a native warm-season perennial Bunchgrass, reaching height of 2 to 5 ft. and produces feathery seed heads, 1 to 2 in. J. Exp. Rhodes grass cultivars are one of our key areas of excellence. Traits such as its ability to grow in a wide range of environmental conditions, its drought-resistance and its ability to rapidly reproduce both by seeds and vegetatively have facilitated its escape from cultivation and subsequent naturalization. Leaves are long, thin, and green with slightly hairy edges (margins). Mulching might help establishment after sowing. [9] In addition to this, "growing cultivated forages, in association with food crops, can contribute to the improvement of the qualitative and quantitative supply of livestock feed. Short answer: FTR grass is naturally very tolerant of glyphosate and there are several cases of highly resistant populations. Chloris gayana roots are able to extract water at a depth of 4.25 meters. Young Rhodes grass of 4 weeks of regrowth or less was found to have a highin vitroOM digestibility of 70-80% (Mbwile et al., 1997a;Mero et al., 1997), which decreased to 50% after 10 weeks of regrowth (Mero et al., 1997). Makes good hay if cut at or just before very early flowering. It has moderate frost tolerance, with Katambora and Pioneer types being less affected by frost than is Callide. 3. Revista da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, 19 (2): 167-172, Lucci, CS. Several trials have shown that supplementation with a protein-rich source resulted in higher animal performance (Mtenga et al., 1990;Mupangwa et al., 2000;Osuga et al., 2012). You can also give us a call at (800) 552-1027. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries of Queensland, Land Protection (Invasive Plants and Animals), Biosecurity Queensland. The fruit is a caryopsis, longitudinally grooved (FAO, 2014; Quattrocchi, 2006; Moore, 2006; Cook et al., 2005; Duke, 1983). The seeds establish . It was introduced as stock feed or fodder for cattle sheep. Some of the issues surrounding growing buffalo grass from seed include: Lack of seeds available Seed burial through tillage or high soil disturbance sowing operations (e.g., knife points) may increase the persistence of FTR and WMG seeds in the soil. Sowing/planting rates as single species Observe the area closely as this disturbance can cause new shoots to arise if there is any regrowth, treat as soon as possible. Anim. (3) $29 .89. Chloris gayanaoriginated from Africa and is now widespread in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. What can I do to control FTR grass that establishes under the crop? There are other practical uses that farmers can benefit from when growing Chloris gayana. Scotts Lawn Builder 1.3kg Seed & Feed Sun & Shade Lawn Seed. 2018 All Right Reserved. Rhodes Grass should not be grazed the first year, but once established can support rotational or continuous grazing. Rhodes grass. Soc. Another limitation of mature Rhodes grass hay is its low protein content, particularly during the dry season. of seed? How can I strengthen the pulse phase to combat weeds? Severe attack by armyworm and pasture webworm can destroy much of the leaf, particularly young leaf largely restricted to coastal areas. It is likely that the tissue structure of the stems and leaf sheaths of both tropical grasses makes inner cells relatively inaccessible to the rumen micro-organisms (Wilman et al., 1998). NSWDPI, 2004. Palatability It can be found in crops and pastures, grasslands, roadsides, gardens and parklands. The seeds can germinate under dry conditions provided that the soil has residual moisture (NSWDPI, 2004). Grazing may maintainChloris gayanain a leafy and highly nutritive condition provided grazing is not too heavy and practised over short periods.