African Star Grass, scientifically known as Cynodon plectostachyus, is a warm-season perennial grass originating from East Africa, now widely distributed globally. Known for its robust nature and adaptability, it is a valuable species in various agricultural and environmental contexts.
Understanding African Star Grass
African Star Grass is a vigorous, stoloniferous perennial grass that forms a dense mat of vegetation. It spreads primarily through thick, arching stolons, which are above-ground runners, rather than rhizomes. Its culms, or stems, typically grow 30-90 cm tall and are 1-4 mm thick.
The leaves are flat, linear-lanceolate, 10-30 cm long and 4-7 mm wide, displaying a mid-green color. The leaf blade surface can be rough or sparsely hairy. Inflorescences feature rigid racemes, often curling upward at maturity, measuring 3-7 cm long, with 7-20 racemes borne in 2-7 whorls. This grass is well-adapted to warm, tropical, and subtropical regions, performing best in full sunlight. It exhibits strong drought tolerance and can withstand temporary flooding, growing across a wide range of soil types, from sandy loams to black cracking clays, with a preferred pH range of 6.5-8.5.
Primary Uses and Advantages
African Star Grass is valued as a high-quality forage crop for livestock, providing nutritious grazing in tropical and subtropical regions. Its rapid regrowth and palatability make it suitable for pasture systems, with crude protein levels in its herbage ranging from 8% to over 20% of dry matter. When harvested or grazed every 4-5 weeks, its forage quality remains high, with crude protein values typically between 11-16%.
The dense, mat-forming growth habit and extensive root system make it effective for erosion control and soil stabilization on slopes and disturbed areas. It establishes quickly, suppressing weeds and improving soil quality through enhanced structure and water infiltration. This grass is also utilized in turf situations.
Cultivating African Star Grass
Establishing African Star Grass requires specific environmental conditions and propagation methods. The grass thrives in warm, frost-free climates, with an optimal mean annual temperature range of 18-27°C. It prefers well-drained soils, adapting to a wide range of types from sands to heavy clays, and tolerates pH levels between 5.0 and 8.0, performing best in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions.
Propagation is primarily achieved through vegetative means, using stolons or stem pieces, as viable seeds are typically not available. For planting, freshly cut mature stems should be distributed uniformly on a clean, moist, and cultivated seedbed. The planting material should be covered by discing 2-4 inches deep or crimping into the soil, ensuring some stem remains exposed, and must be covered quickly to prevent drying. Initial watering is important for establishment, and a firm seedbed helps nodes germinate within 5-10 days.
Management and Potential Issues
Effective management of African Star Grass involves consistent fertilization, appropriate irrigation, and controlled grazing or cutting practices. For establishment and early growth, an initial application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is recommended, followed by more nitrogen. Regular nitrogen applications improve dry matter yields, particularly in cut-and-carry systems.
While African Star Grass is drought tolerant, irrigation may be necessary during prolonged dry periods to maintain productivity. For good forage quality and persistence, a rotational grazing or cutting schedule with a 4-5 week rest period is advisable, maintaining a suitable stubble height. Weed competition can be an issue during establishment, but the grass’s aggressive growth helps suppress weeds once mature. Herbicides can be used for broadleaf weed control.
Although hardy, African Star Grass can be invasive in certain ecosystems due to its rapid spreading habit, displacing native vegetation. Responsible management is important to mitigate its potential for unintended spread.