ORIGIN

North Africa

COMMON NAME

Kikuyu grass

BOTANICAL NAME

Pennisetum clandestinum

IDENTIFICATION

Perennial grass, hairy, yellow green, stoloniferous (stem running and rooting along ground) and rhizomatous (with underground stems), often turf forming. Blades usually long, soft and drooping. The ligule (seen where the leaf blade joins the stem) is a fringe of hairs. Flowers infrequently.

HABITATS

Prefers warm, moist and fertile soils, but is drought resistant. Widespread and abundant. A common dominant pasture grass.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Almost completely inhibits regeneration by smothering seedlings and other low growing plants. Particularly invasive in coastal areas.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Dispersal is aided by grazing animals. Produces seed. Pieces of rhizome break off and sprout.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Some degree of control is achieved through grazing.

Disposal
Care must be taken not to leave broken rhizomes when clearing areas. Dispose of rhizome fragments appropriately.

Chemical Control
Spray with Glyphosate (without Pulse Penetrant), or Gallant. Best results spraying new growth, spring and autumn. Spot spraying of regrowth is necessary.

(i) Gylphosate. Use of Penetrant when spraying kikuyu may cause poor results.

Rate - Handgun 1 litre Glyphosate/100 litres water. Knapsack 100 mls Glyphosate/10 litres water.

(ii) Gallant (Controls grasses and some sedges; ineffective on broadleaf spp.)

Rate - Handgun 375 mls Gallant/100 litres water. Knapsack 60 mls Gallant/10 litres water.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
For large areas graze or mow hard and then spray short new growth with herbicide. If infestation occurs amongst desirable broadleaf plants, spray with Gallant.

FURTHER COMMENT