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July 2015
Bahiagrass is a highly persistent grass as a result of many tillers and
rhizomes and especially its root density. Because of its rhizomes,
bahiagrass is able to withstand close defoliation. The stubble height
in midsummer season should be approximately 5 cm for hay produc-
tion, 7,5 cm if grazed rotationally and 12,5 cm if under a continuous
grazing system.
There is plenty of evidence that shows that when pastures are over-
grazed and close grazing continues, the bahiagrass will become
weak and the stand of pasture will deteriorate. It is however well-
known that fast growth of bahiagrass is associated with a fast de-
cline in nutritive value.
By increasing the number of animals during the rapid growth of
bahiagrass, excess old growth will be avoided. Also, the improve-
ment of forage crude protein and digestibility, as well as the better
performance of livestock will likely occur. If well-fertilised bahia-
grass can be cut prior to the formation of the inflorescence, it will
provide good quality hay.
The quality of the grass drops dramatically once the inflorescence
is present. Tifton 9, TifQuik, and UF-Riata have a more upright
growth and are recommended for producers who want to grow ba-
hiagrass for hay production. These varieties produce long leaves and
a lot of biomass.
Soil conservation and health benefits
Intensively managing bahiagrass for hay production is an option
for remediating P-impacted soils due to the increased yields that
can be achieved with N fertilisation. Studies have shown that
yield increases by about 70% with N applications at a rate of
50 kg/ha/harvest. Research reports also show that the application
of N fertiliser increases bahiagrass P uptake and consequently de-
creases P losses to groundwater.
Cumulative P removals by bahiagrass under hay production man-
agement for a two-year period have been reported. If plant tissue
phosphorus is at a high of 0,35% and eight tons of dry matter is
produced, approximately 50 kg of phosphorus/ha/year would be
removed.
Well-managed bahiagrass supplied with adequate N fertiliser
for hay production could offer a practical and cost-effective
alternative for reducing offsite phosphorus losses from phospho-
rus-impacted soils.
1: Bahiagrass is a summer growing perennial grass that develops stolons (above-ground stems) and rhizomes (below-ground stems).
1
2: Reproduction takes place by seed, and bahiagrass spreads vegeta-
tively by short, heavy stolons.
2