Cynodon plectostachyus

Naivasha star grass

Spreading perennial with stout fast-growing stolons forming dense turf. Found on dry lake beds. More tropical climatic adaptation than Bermuda grass and more productive under dry conditions with 500-800 mm of rain. Considered valuable pasture for drier areas, but is low in competitive vigour.

							As % of dry matter
						DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ref
Fresh, late vegetative,
25 cm, Tanzania						20.0	19.1	22.6	13.0	2.9	42.4	175
Fresh, early bloom, 40 cm,
Tanzania						28.0	11.0	30.3	11.4	1.3	46.0	"
Fresh, early bloom, 60 cm,
Tanzania						30.0	11.0	30.2	11.6	2.0	45.2	"
Hay, first cutting, Tanzania						88.0	10.5	31.4	10.2	1.6	46.3	"
Hay, second cutting, Tanzania						89.0	8.0	33.4	10.0	3.6	45.0	"
Hay, 6 weeks, Tanzania							10.5	31.4	10.2	1.6	46.3	173
Hay, 16 weeks, Tanzania							8.0	33.4	10.0	3.6	45.0	"
Hay, 22 weeks, Tanzania							7.3	37.1	8.7	1.0	45.9	"
Hay, 38 weeks, Tanzania							5.2	39.7	8.1	0.9	46.1	"
Standing hay, Tanzania						91.0	5.2	39.7	8.1	0.9	46.1	175
							Digestibility (%)
					Animal		CP	CF	EE	NFE	ME	Ref
Fresh, 25 cm					Sheep		80.1	69.9	48.0	69.8	2.41	175
Fresh, 40 cm					Sheep		73.6	60.1	23.0	63.0	2.08	"
Fresh, 60 cm					Sheep		73.6	63.9	35.0	53.5	1.97	"
Hay, first cutting					Oxen		58.1	62.7	19.0	60.5	2.01	"
Hay, second cutting					Oxen		46.3	54.8	67.0	48.9	1.80	"
Hay, 6 weeks					Cattle		58.5	62.7	17.5	60.5	2.01	173
Hay, 16 weeks					Cattle		46.6	54.8	66.8	48.9	1.80	"
Hay, 22 weeks					Cattle		51.2	53.6	9.6	47.2	1.67	"
Hay, 38 weeks					Cattle		23.0	39.9	22.8	51.4	1.50	"
Standing hay					Oxen		23.1	40.0	22.0	51.4	1.50	175