Kikuyu
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Pasture type and use | Perennial, spring/summer/autumn growing grass. Grazing, silage, hay, amenity (lawns, sporting fields, coast and inland irrigated). |
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Area of adaptation | Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, irrigated areas. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 800 mm |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Medium to well-drained; high fertility. Highly tolerant of acid soil. |
Varieties | Select varieties on the basis of propagation method and tolerance to kikuyu yellows.
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Sowing rates | Whittet: 1–4 kg/ha Common: 1 cutting (runner) per square metre. |
Sowing time | Spring to early autumn, depending on district. |
Companion species | Not compatible with other grasses. Italian ryegrass or oats often direct-drilled or surface-sown in autumn into suppressed kikuyu for year-round feed. White clover, Kenya clover (Far North Coast). |
Inoculation | N/A |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur. |
Main insect pests | Army worms, sod web worms, african black beetle. |
Main diseases | Kikuyu yellows, leaf spot. |
Management | Graze to maximise leaf, minimise stem. Hard graze to 5 cm in height. If pasture height exceeds 15 cm, slash to 5 cm to remove stem and rank growth and to maintain quality.
Optimum quality coincides with the 4½ leaf stage of regrowth. Use adequate fertiliser, especially nitrogen, to promote quality growth for dairy production.Hard grazing helps maintain white clover with kikuyu. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Frequently hyperparathyroidism (‘big head’) in horses, occasionally nephrosis or hypocalcaemia in ruminants, due to oxalates. Occasionally nitrate poisoning.
Kikuyu poisoning — unusual disorder, but occurs sporadically in cattle, especially where rapid growth follows a protracted dry period. |
Additional tips | Quality, rather than bulk, is the key to high animal production from kikuyu pastures. |
Further information |
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Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: Warren McDonald, Former Technical Specialist (Pastures), NSW Agriculture, Tamworth