Bahiagrass |
| Scientific Name: | Paspalum notatum |
| Cultivars: | Pensacola, Tifton 9, (diploid cultivars);
Paraguay 22, Wilmington, and
Argentine (Tetraploid cultivars).
Two new diploid cultivars are Tifquik
(released in Georgia, and named after its quick
germination), and UF Riata (released in Florida
with cold adaptation and extended winter
growth). |
| Growth Habit: | Sod type (prostrate, stoloniferous) |
| Life Cycle: | Perennial |
| Origin: | South America |
| Production Season: | April to October |
| Nutritive Value: | Varies depending on management and variety.
Usually, low to medium crude protein,low to
medium digestibility. |
| Use: | Grazing, sod, hay; crop rotations |
| Herbarium Image: | For an herbarium image click this link. |
Adaptation |
| Soil: | Sandy-loam to sandy |
| pH: | 5.0 to 6.5; 5.5 (target ). At pH greater than 6.5 the grass shows chlorosis and stunned growth |
| Rainfall: | 35+ inches. Tolerant to periodic flooding or high
water table |
| Temperature: | Warm-season, tropical conditions. Most
productive at 75-86°F |
Management |
| Planting Date: | March (if irrigated) or Summer (June to August;
if
rainfed) |
| Planting Depth: | < 1/4 inch |
| Seeding Rate: | 25 to 30 lb/acre |
| Seed Cost: | Pensacola ($0.75-0.85/lb, $20 to 28/acre);
Argentine
($1.40-1.60/lb, $37 to 52/acre); Tifton 9
($2.40/lb,
$60 to 84/acre); UF-Riata $5/lb, ($125 to
150/acre).
UF-Riata seed will be
commercially available in September. |
| Fertilization: | Low input system: 50 lb N/acre/yr only; P2O5
as per soil and tissue test; No Potassium
Medium input system: 100 lb N/acre/year;
P205 as per recommendation based on soil and
tissue tests; or tissue P is less than 0.15%,
and 50 lb K20/acre/year.
High input system:
160 lb N/acre/year (80 lb N/acre in spring + 80
lb N/acre in fall), P205, and K20 as per soil
and tissue test recommendation. Additional info
click this
link |
| Production: | 3000 to 8000 lb/acre. Grazing: 2.5-5 acre/cow-
calf pair year round |
Notes |
| Bahiagrass can become a weed of perennial
crops.Susceptible to mole cricket. Grows
well in the Southern Coastal Plain
region.Susceptible
to 'Dollar spot' and 'Ergot' diseases in hot
damp weather conditions (Jul-early Sep) that
will affect seed and production yield; in
general, none of these diseases are toxic or a
problem to livestock (however, if grass is
heavily infected and young livestock is under
stress, there might be some behavioral impact.) |
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