Cynodon dactylon

Bermuda grass, Bahamas grass, dhoub, kiri-hiri, devil's grass, African couch, star grass, kweek grass

Highly variable perennial with stems up to 120 cm tall that forms dense turf. Grows almost anyplace with more than 600 mm of rainfall a year and a mean daily temperature about 24 C. Found on many soils, particularly where the pH is above 5.5 and fertility is moderate to high. Withstands temporary waterlogging and prolonged drought, but is unproductive. Responds well to fertilizers and has a very high nutritive value that is retained well into the dry season. Best grazed at 10-15 cm, when it is palatable. Not to be used in temporary pastures, for it is difficult to eradicate from arable land. Tolerates saline soils and high grazing pressure.

The Coastal Bermuda variety has longer and larger leaves, stems and rhizomes, is more resistant to drought and leafspot, and is immune to root-knot nematode. Twice as productive as common Bermuda and less troublesome to eradicate. Best grazed when 25-30 cm high. Introduction of this grass in the southern states of the United States sharply increased herbage production and revolutionized the livestock industry. Can easily be propagated from pieces of stolon and rhizomes.

							As % of dry matter
						DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ref
Fresh, early vegetative
pasture						19.1	12.2	33.3	9.6	1.6	43.3	82
Fresh, mature pasture,
Trinidad						30.2	8.8	33.3	7.4	1.7	48.8	"
Fresh, 6 weeks, India						29.5	14.2	26.6	12.4	1.9	44.9	190
Fresh, 10 weeks, India						39.8	13.2	29.4	12.0	1.5	43.9	"
Fresh, 14 weeks, India						36.3	11.9	28.5	11.3	1.8	46.5	"
Hay from lawn mowings, India						91.3	11.1	18.4	12.5	1.4	56.6	282
Fresh, Coastal Bermuda,
mature, Trinidad						29.1	8.3	29.7	6.5	2.4	53.1	82
Fresh, Coastal Bermuda,
mid-bloom Trinidad						29.0	9.4	30.8	6.9	2.0	50.9	"
Hay, Coastal Bermuda, 35 days,
late vegetative, Venezuela							10.9	30.5	8.7	1.8	48.1	84
Hay, Coastal Bermuda, 45 days,
late vegetative, Venezuela							12.0	27.3	10.7	2.9	47.1	"
Hay, Coastal Bermuda, 55 days,
mid-bloom, Venezuela							10.4	27.9	9.9	3.0	48.8	"
							Digestibility (%)
					Animal		CP	CF	EE	NFE	ME	Ref
Fresh, young pasture					Sheep		68.4	66.2	32.9	58.7	2.12	82
Fresh, mature pasture					Sheep		57.9	61.1	49.7	52.2	1.94	"
Hay from lawn mowings					Zebu		54.4	53.1	27.3	46.4	1.59	282
Coastal Bermuda, mature					Sheep		60.7	60.4	45.9	62.0	2.14	82
Coastal Bermuda, mid-
bloom					Sheep		64.3	65.8	41.7	60.8	2.18	"
Hay, Coastal Bermuda,
35 days					Sheep		59.7	62.5	32.9	52.8	1.93	84
Hay, Coastal Bermuda,
45 days					Sheep		70.1	67.6	47.6	57.4	2.11	"
Hay, Coastal Bermuda,
55 days					Sheep		65.4	64.0	54.3	51.3	1.97	"