Paspalum plicatulum Michx. – two useful varieties for pastures in regions of summer rainfall

Abstract

Paspalum plicatulum is a tufted perennial grass adapted to regions of summer rainfall. It is drought tolerant but damaged by frost. Under favourable conditions it is capable of high yields of dry matter (up to 11 tons an acre a year). It is persistent under grazing, tolerant of a range of management systems, and liveweight gains in cattle of 200 lb an acre a year have been recorded. It produces useful yields when the nitrogen supply is relatively low and is capable of combining well with legumes. Two varieties have been released in Queensland for farm trial. They differ little in performance but are distinct in habit and may fill different ecological niches.