KIKUYU GRASS

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 19

KIKUYU GRASS

GOOD PASTURE BUT BAD WEED Introduced from East Africa some years ago, Kikuyu grass has been popular with dairy farmers, although many old-established stands now appear to be declining in productivity (says The Australasian). Kikuyu grass is a perennial which spreads rapidly over and through the ground by means of running stems. Both the surface, and underground runners root freely at the nodes, anchoring the plant firmly in the ground and forming a dense turf which stands heavy trampling by stock. The stems carry a large quantity of leaf, and the stems also are very succulent Under good conditions Kikuyu grass makes a very dense growth, often.two feet or more in depth. In Queensland the grass has adapted itself fairly well to different districts. It does best under warm, moist conditions, but will withstand a considerable degree of cold and keep green in spite of fairly severe frosts. For this reason it is very valuable for late autumn and early winter feed. Its drought resistance is fairly good, and some success with the grass is reported from the Burnett and Darling Downs. Kikuyu grass spreads most quickly, and yields most heavily on loose, rich soils; and while it may provide fair grazing on some less fertile soils of a sandy or clayey nature, it is advisable to restrict plantings to rather productive soils, unless in special circumstances—such as when a grass is required for rough places or as a soil binder to prevent erosion. Kikuyu grass makes a heavy drain on the soil, and periodical ploughing or severe cultivation is necessary to improve the soil conditions.

In Australia, Kikuyu grass sets seed very rarely, and commercial supplies are not available. It is necessary to establish the grass by planting pieces of the runners.

In addition to its value as a pasture grass, Kikuyu grass has some value for bracken control. If planted out in bracken Kikuyu attracts stock, which trample down the fern while feeding on the grass. Although a very valuable grass in its place, Kikuyu grass may become a troublesome weed if it is permitted to encroach on ploughed land. For this reason it should not be planted near areas likely to be required for cultivation. In wet weather portions of the grass are often broken off by grazing animals, and these pieces may be carried on the hooves to other portions of the farm, and become established after tramping in. Patches commenced in this way should be dug out immediately, if not desired.