Kikuyu grass originates in the highlands of east and central Africa, but has been introduced to many other countries. It is often used for pastures, sports fields, and erosion control, as these are the places that most other grasses will have a hard time growing. The one thing to keep in mind about this grass is that it has a hard time growing in cold areas. This means any places that receive even a small amount of snow should refrain from using Kikuyu grass. The following factors highly affect the nutritional value.
Drought Tolerant
This grass has relatively good tolerance to drought, which means that in even the driest conditions, it will still continue to grow. This is beneficial for farmers that use Kikuyu grass as the main source of their livestock’s diet. The only difference you’ll see in drought conditions is a decline in growth and a minor loss in color. Other than that, Kikuyu grass seed will continue to grow.
Coarse Texture
Kikuyu grass has a coarse texture that is often found in more tropical or coastal climates. The leaves and stems are covered with fine hairs, which is perfect for grazing livestock. The texture is what makes most livestock attracted to it. This grass has a bit more structure to the surface not often found on normal grass. The coarseness also makes it optimal for erosion control, as it can grow thicker and stronger than other grass.
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Although Kikuyu grass in California doesn’t need a ton of nitrogen to thrive, it does benefit from a little maintenance. A program should be put in place that includes mowing, nitrogen applications, pest control, and irrigation management on a regular basis. These nitrogen applications must be carefully controlled otherwise they can have a negative impact on digestion and overall animal performance.
Kikuyu does grow well when it’s heavily fertilized with nitrogen, but if you’re using it for grazing that doesn’t mean it’s not going to affect your animals. Certain animals will be affected more than others, so this is something to keep in mind. This grass does contain oxalic acid, which will bind calcium, making it more difficult to produce milk in cows and goats. As long as you are aware of the animals you have and the amount of nitrogen being placed in your fields, you should be fine.
Stover Seed Company has an archive of thousands of seeds with what fertilizers work best with them. Thankfully, we’ve got our own fertilizers too that match extremely well to the specifications needed by our seeds.
Kikuyu grass thrives in warm climates that are drought-tolerant. This is because it originates in the highlands of east and central Africa. Since then, it has been introduced to many other countries around the world for its highly productive pastures. Other than for grazing, Kikuyu grass is often used for sports fields, golf courses and erosion control, in specific locations. Any place where grass has a hard time growing will benefit from the use of Kikuyu. The only weather conditions Kikuyu cannot fare is growing in cold areas. Any areas that receive even a small amount of snow should not use Kikuyu grass and go for a grass that better suits their climate all year round.
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