Pastures and rangelands

Bahia grass

Series: Agnote DPI-294 Edition: Third edition Last updated: 07 Apr 2004

Bahia grass
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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	Perennial spring / summer / autumn growing grass. Grazing. Ground cover in horticulture.
Area of adaptation	North Coast, North West Slopes, Northern Tablelands.
Min. average annual rainfall	700 mm � summer incidence.
Advantages	Tolerant of very heavy grazing pressure. Very drought-tolerant. Will grow and survive on low-fertility soils. Very competitive, good for weed control. Spreads from seed. Good shade tolerance. Very persistent.
Disadvantages	Poor winter growth and feed quality. Difficult to maintain legume in pasture. Potential weed on fertile soils. Slow to establish.
Soil requirements	Well-drained, light-textured, low to medium fertility. High tolerance to acid soils.
Varieties	Argentine � moderate frost tolerance, moderately palatable. Pensacola � poor frost tolerance, low palatability, greater weed potential.
Sowing rate	1�2 kg/ha
Sowing time	Summer, early autumn.
Companion species	Wynn round-leafed cassia (North West Slopes and North Coast). Sub clover, serradella, white clover.
Inoculation	N/A
Major nutrient deficiencies	Nitrogen, phosphorus.
Main insect pests	No significant problems.
Main diseases	No significant problems.
Management	Needs heavy grazing to maintain reasonable quality, especially in late summer and autumn.
Livestock disorders of particular note	Not known if there is a risk of nervous ergotism (�staggers�).
Additional tips	Takes 2�3 years to develop into a dense pasture. Has been successfully surface-sown into sparse pasture. Do not sow on fertile soils (weed potential).

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