Cynodon aethiopicus

Giant star grass

Stoloniferous perennial with tall robust stems that occurs naturally throughout East Africa at higher altitudes. Palatable and readily eaten by cattle. Very good results reported from experiments with fertilized pastures of this grass. Can be rich in HCN if heavily fertilized and irrigated. Easily propagated from stolons.

							As % of dry matter
						DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ref
Fresh, first cutting, India							12.2	26.6	11.9	1.7	47.6	436
Fresh, second cutting, India							9.4	30.4	11.2	0.9	48.1	"
Fresh, third cutting, India							7.2	32.7	8.2	0.9	51.0	"
Fresh, fourth cutting, India							5.4	37.6	10.8	0.9	45.3	"
Hay, pre-bloom, India							6.4	35.6	6.8	0.6	50.6	"
							Digestibility (%)
					Animal		CP	CF	EE	NFE	ME	Ref
Hay, pre-bloom					Cattle		54.0	62.0	19.0	29.0	1.48	436
					Nylon bag degradability
						a	b	c		12hr	48hr	Ref
						(%)	(%)	(/hour)		(%)	(%)
Giant star grass,
6 weeks					DM						46.5	632
12 weeks					DM						37.6	"
	[P (rumen degradability at time t) = a+b*(1-exp(-c*t))]