View crop

Pennisetum clandestinum

Authority	Hochst. ex Chiov.
Family	Liliopsida:Commelinidae:Cyperales:Gramineae
Synonyms
Common names	kikuyu
Editor
Ecocrop code	1649

Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION A prostrate grass, vigorously spreading from rhizomes and stolons, forming a loose sward up to 46 cm high when ungrazed, but under grazing or mowing assuming a dense turf. It has an extensive and very deep root system. USES Very palatable and high in protein. Used for pasture it withstands heavy grazing. Also used for silage. It makes good lawns and is planted for soil conservation along roads, on irrigation channel banks, bunds and hills. KILLING T It tolerates an occasional frost of short duration, but tissue is killed below -2°C. The grass may however withstand -9°C during the winter period. GROWING PERIOD Perennial grass growing spring, summer and autumn. COMMON NAMES Kikuyu grass, Ya-khikhuyu. FURTHER INF Kikuyu grass occurs naturally across the elevated plateaux of East and Central Africa, where it can be found between 1500-3500 m in elevation and is common on deep red, well-drained latosolic soils at the forest margins, and in grassy glades. In the subtropics, it can be found at elevations from sea level. Latitudinal range is between 27°N and S. It is reasonably drought resistant, tolerates flooding and survive fire. It doubles as a useful feed and harmfull weed and can especially become a weed in coastal areas on arable land and in irrigation channels. Dry matter yields may be between 9-30 t/ha.
Sources
Grassland Index Skerman P 1990 pp 604-611 [DEP, DRA, TEMP, KTMP, RAIN, TEXT, FER, SAL, PHO, LIG] Rehm S 1991 pp 413 [USE] Duke J 1979 pp 95 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Duke J 1975 pp 23 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Roecklein J 1987 pp 163 [USE] Bogdan A 1977 pp 222-229 [LIMIT, FER, PH, DRA, RAIN, DEP, TEMP, KTMP] Bryant P 1973 pp 331-333 [RAIN, KTMP, FER, TEXT, LIMIT] Alves A 1986 pp 237 Mannetje L 1992 pp 187-189 [RAIN, TEMP, KTMP, DRA, TEXT, FER, PH] Tropical forages 2005