ON FARM LEVEL
Conservationagriculture
t
his article is the sixth of a series of articles highlighting a
specific pasture crop species that canplay an imperative role
inconservationagriculture (CA)basedcrop-pasture rotations.
Besides improving the physical, chemical, hydrological and
biological properties of the soil, such species, including
annual or perennial cover crops, can successfully be used as
animal feed.
Livestock production systems are in many ways dependant on the
utilisation of pasture species, in this case as a pasture ley crop, and
can therefore become an integral component of CA-based crop-
pasture rotations. It is imperative however to identify a pasture
species fulfilling the requirements of a dual purpose crop, i.e. for
livestock fodder and soil restoration.
Cenchrus ciliaris
/Blue buffalo grass
(
bloubuffelsgras
)
Blue buffalo grass also known as foxtail buffalo grass, is an
indigenous, tufted grass with underground root stocks. This grass
can have a typical blue-green colour, such as theMolopo cultivar or
abright green colour, such as the cultivar Gayndah.
TheMolopo cultivar is known togrow as tall as 1 500mm. Themost
common cultivar available in South Africa is Molopo, named after
the place of origin. The cultivar Gayndah is a cultivar commonly
imported from Australia, and has shown its adaptation and poten-
tial inmany parts of the country. This cultivar has a finer structure
than Molopo, resulting in a more palatable pasture and better
quality foggage.
Agro-ecological distribution
The drought resistance of this grass species is what makes this
grass a good summer grazing and hay crop, especially in the drier
parts of the country. This species has the ability to survive in areas
that receive as little as 300mmof rainfall a year.
Blue buffalo grasswill grow the best in an areawhere the tempera-
ture and light intensity is high. Whenever the day temperatures
are high and the night temperatures are medium to low, it can be
expected that growth will be affected. This grass must preferably
not be planted at heights above sea level of more than 1 550 m.
Australian research has indicated that if no other restricting factors
occur, thegrasswill grow thebest at temperatures of 35°C.
Bluebuffalograss growswell onmost soil types except light, sandy
soils. Some heavy soil types are suitable as well, however, the
establishment of this species on these soils are difficult, and often
the risk of drowning for this species is evident on such soils.
Soil typeswithpH’s below 5,5 arenot suitable for the establishment
of the grass, unless lime is applied to rectify the pH. Research
has further indicated that blue buffalo grass does not establish
well on soils with a low phosphorus (P) content, resulting in poor
seedling survival.
Management and utilisation
The establishment of blue buffalo grass can often be a major
challenge. Diligence and patience is of the essence when planting
this species. The soil should be cultivated well, preferably 300mm
deep in the autumn of the previous year, or as early as possible in
the year of planting.
Lime can be applied if needed at the same time as cultivation to
ensure uniform incorporation. Light discing is recommended to
preservemoisture as far as possible, to control weeds and tomain-
tain a firm seed bed by the time of planting. Superphosphate can
be applied before the final preparation of the seedbed to ensure
soil phosphorus (P) content of approximately 15 mg/kg - 20 mg/kg
of soil.
The establishment of blue buffalo grass is a delicate process. In the
environmentallysuitableareasof thecountry it issuggested that this
species is planted at the end of January to themiddle of February.
Earlier plantings are possible, but weed control can often be a
problem. The best time for planting is when the rainfall events are
frequent and reliable. It is imperative that freshly harvested seed is
not planted, as theseed requiresnine to twelvemonthsafter harvest
to become ripe. It is recommended that certified seed is used to
protect thebuyer aswell as the seller.
Theseeding ratecanvarybetween4kg/hawhen the fieldproduction
potential is low,and6kg/ha fora fieldwithahighproductionpotential.
WAYNE TRUTER,
University of Pretoria,
CHRISDANNHAUSER,
Grass SA,
HENDRIKSMITH,
Grain SA and
GERRIE TRYTSMAN,
ARC-Animal Production Institute
Integrated cropandpasture-based
livestockproduction systems
–Part 6
AGRICULTURE
Conservat ion
Series
Augustus 2014
80
