Rhodes grass

NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.

Pasture type and use	Summer perennial grass. Used as a pasture plant for both sheep and cattle. Should be grown in conjunction with a legume pasture. Particularly suited to sandy soils and sandy loam.
Area of adaptation	Widely adapted, depending on variety. North Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Hunter and Metropolitan.
Min. average annual rainfall	500 mm (summer-dominant)
Advantages	Easily established. Spreads by runners. Moderate tolerance of salinity. Adapted to sandy acid soils of moderate acidity. Good competitor for weeds such as spiny burr grass.
Disadvantages	Poor tolerance of waterlogging. Does not tolerate extreme soil acidity and high exchangeable aluminium levels. Loses feed value quickly if allowed to grow rank.
Soil requirements	Adapted to a range of soils, including moderately acid sandy loams through to medium clays. Needs reasonably well drained soils.
Varieties	Select varieties on the basis of maturity, ploidy, and local production and persistence data (where available). Early flowering diploids: Pioneer Late flowering diploids: Katambora Finecut * Nemkat * Topcut * * Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. Very late flowering tetraploid: Callide
Sowing rates:	as only species - Inland areas: 1–2 kg/ha in mixtures - Coastal areas: 1–4 kg/ha Inland areas: 1 kg/ha in mixtures with legumes. Coastal areas: 2 kg/ha in mixtures with other grasses and legumes.
Sowing time	September to March
Companion species	Annual legumes such as sub clover, medics, serradella, white clover or vetch, depending on climate, soil type and pH. Lucerne can be included on suitable soils.
Inoculation	N/A
Major nutrient deficiencies	Phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur.
Main insect pests	Few insect pest problems. Seed-harvesting ants can steal surface-sown seed. Army worms have occasionally damaged Rhodes grass pastures in coastal areas.
Main diseases	No major disease problems. In less well-drained soils or in wet years, some plant losses from root-rot-related causes have occurred.
Management	In the first year, allow Rhodes grass to seed before grazing, or graze only lightly. It can be lightly set stocked or rotationally grazed. To maintain good stock feed value, keep growth relatively short and maintain legume component.
Livestock disorders of particular note	This genus can occasionally accumulate dangerously high levels of selenium on some soil types.
Additional tips	Sow shallow (0.5–1.0 cm maximum). When sowing, mix fluffy seed with fertiliser as a carrier. Can be sown dry provided there are good subsoil moisture reserves. Delay sowing in spring to obtain a weed kill before sowing, particularly with weeds such as spiny burr grass.
Further information	Agfact P2.5.31 Rhodes grass.

Acknowledgments

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.