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Bahiagrass: A Quick Reference1
Yoana C. Newman2In Florida, bahiagrass is a warm-season perennial planted more than any other improved grass. Two thirds of improved pastures are planted with bahiagrass and some of its attractions for producers include its excellent adaptation, ease of management, persistence under low fertilization and close grazing, as well as its relatively simple planting.
However, prospective growers need to be willing to compromise in quality and production because this grass has some limitations in quality and quantity compared with other options like hybrid bermudagrasses.
Origin
Native to South America, to equivalent latitude to that of northern Florida.
Use
Most of the acreage is used for grazing, with some hay and sod production, and production of seed harvested from pastures.
Adaptation
pH: 5.5 to 6.5. High pH (approximately > 6.5) will start negatively affecting production.
Soil: Low to high fertility; sand to clay, dry to wet. Rainfall: > 35 inches.
Climate: Subtropical and humid regions; coastal plains.
Management Practices
Planting date: March (if irrigated) or during summer (June-August; rainy season).
Planting rate: 15 lb/acre or 25-30 lb/acre (low rates will have more initial competition with weeds).
Planting depth: 1/4 - 1/2 inch maximum. A common mistake is to plant it too deep.
Fertilization
Planting: As soon as plants have emerged, apply 30 lb Nitrogen (N)/acre, all phosphorus (P205) and 50% of potassium (K20) recommended in soil test. 30-40 days later, apply rest of the potassium plus 70 lb N/acre.
Grazing:
Low input system: 50 lb N/acre/yr only; P205 as per recommendation based on soil and tissue tests; no phosphorus (P205), and no potassium (K20).
Medium input system: 100 lb N/acre/year; P205 as per recommendation based on soil and tissue tests; or tissue P is less than 0.15%), and 50 lb K20/acre/year.
High input system: 160 lb N/acre/year (80 lb N/acre in spring + 80 lb N/acre in fall), P205, and K20 as per soil and tissue test recommendation.
Hay: 80 lb N/acre/cut + P205, and K20 as per soil test recommendation. Do not apply any fertilizer after mid-August.
Seed Production: In hay fields; same recommendation as above. If grazing, 60-80 lb N/acre in Feb or Mar, when seed heads appear remove cattle and apply 60-80 lb N/acre.
Weed Control
Seedlings are susceptible to phenoxy type herbicides (2,4-D or Banvel), can only spray when plants are 8 inches tall.
Pests and control
Mole crickets. Control with nematode biological control traps.Tables
Table 1.
Bahiagrass
Description
Yield
(lb/acre/year)
Quality*
Cold Tolerance
Seasonality
Common (not recommended)
Short, broad leaves
Very Low
Very Low
Sensitive
Pensacola
Long, narrow leaves
3500-10000
Low
FL - panhandle
Mar-Oct
Tifton 9
Longer leaves than Pensacola
30% more than Pensacola
Low
Some
1 more week of growth than Pensacola.
Argentine
Wider leaves
Less seed heads
Low
Low
No growth in early spring
Bahiagrass
Purity
Light
Seed**
Germination
Dormant
Seed ***
Seed
Yield
Pensacola
95-98
3-5
50-60
25-30
50-120
Tifton 9 †
95-98
3-5
60-70
15-25
Argentine
80 ‡
20
85-90
10-15
150-200
* Quality is measured as crude protein (CP) and digestibility. Low is CP= 8-9% and digestibility= 45-60% ** Light seed refers to the inert (dead) material in samples. The inert material is the part of the seed called "glume" or the shell that encases the cariopsis (true seed in grasses).
*** Refers to seed other than hard seed that will neither germinate nor decay during the prescribed test period and condition.
† Selection out of Pensacola for higher germination and less dormant seed.
‡ Less than Pensacola due to Ergot.
Footnotes
1. This document is SS AGR 263, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date December 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Yoana C. Newman, assistant professor, Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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