Publication Date

1997

Description

Bahiagrass, mostly of the cultivar Pensacola, is the predominant grass in Florida and occupies two million hectares of the five million currently under pastures in the state. Several other cultivars exist and are available to ranchers through seed producing companies. This study compares five cultivars of bahiagrass (T-9, Pensacola, Argentine, Paraguay, and T-7) with respect to dry matter yield, nitrogen content, and digestibility in Southwest Florida. Evaluations were made at intervals of approximately 35 days from late June to early December. Forage production was greatest for T-9; this variety produced 35% more forage than Pensacola. All varieties behaved similarly regarding quality characteristics investigated.

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Evaluation of Five Bahiagrass Cultivars in Southwest Florida

Bahiagrass, mostly of the cultivar Pensacola, is the predominant grass in Florida and occupies two million hectares of the five million currently under pastures in the state. Several other cultivars exist and are available to ranchers through seed producing companies. This study compares five cultivars of bahiagrass (T-9, Pensacola, Argentine, Paraguay, and T-7) with respect to dry matter yield, nitrogen content, and digestibility in Southwest Florida. Evaluations were made at intervals of approximately 35 days from late June to early December. Forage production was greatest for T-9; this variety produced 35% more forage than Pensacola. All varieties behaved similarly regarding quality characteristics investigated.