Digitaria Bicornis (lam.) Roemer & J.a. Schultes Ex Loud. - Asian Crabgrass

Description of Digitaria Bicornis (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex Loud.

Digitaria Bicornis, commonly known as the Buffelgrass, is a perennial grass that belongs to the family Poaceae. The plant is native to Africa, and it is widely distributed throughout the world, including South and Central America, southern parts of the United States, and Australia, where it is considered invasive.

General Appearance

The plant features a densely tufted and decumbent growth form, with wiry culms that can grow up to ninety centimeters tall. Its leaves are narrow and range between five to twenty centimeters in length and a few millimeters in width. The inflorescence is a characteristic of Digitaria Bicornis, with a panicle that measures between ten and twenty centimeters long and bears two to five spikes.

Common Names

Digitaria Bicornis has numerous common names, including Buffelgrass, African Buffelgrass, Buffelgrass Fountain Grass, Palatability Grass, Ivory Coast, and C.oto Pav. (Guinea).

Uses of Digitaria Bicornis

Buffelgrass is a valuable forage grass that is renowned for its drought tolerance and high yielding nature. The plant has excellent palatability, and it is often used in pastures to feed livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats. Furthermore, the plant has several medicinal uses, including the treatment of diarrhea, stomach pains, and fevers. The roots of Buffelgrass are also used to treat snakebites and scorpion stings. In addition, the plant is used as a soil stabilizer in reclamation projects, as erosion control in mining operations, and as an ornamental in landscaping projects.

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Light Requirements

Digitaria bicornis is a warm-season grass that requires full sun exposure to grow and thrive. It can tolerate partial shade, but ideally, it should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to establish and grow vigorously.

Temperature Requirements

This species of grass thrives in warm temperatures and is intolerant of frost or freezing conditions. It can grow in USDA hardiness zones 8-11, where the temperatures range from 10 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Soil Requirements

The soil requirements for Digitaria bicornis include well-draining, fertile soils that are rich in organic matter. This grass species can tolerate a range of soil types as long as it is not waterlogged or excessively dry. A pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 is suitable for its optimal growth and development.

Cultivation

Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex Loud. is adaptable and can be grown in a range of soil types. However, it thrives well in moist, well-draining soil. This plant is well-suited to full sun and tolerates partial shade.

When cultivating Digitaria bicornis, it is recommended to plant it in the spring season once the danger of frost has passed. The plant propagates through seeds, and they should be sown in shallow furrows in the soil. The furrows should be lightly covered with soil, and the area should be moistened gently with water.

Watering Needs

Digitaria bicornis requires regular watering to maintain healthy growth. The plant thrives when its soil is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. It is recommended to allow the soil to dry up to 1 inch between watering to avoid overwatering.

If the plant begins to wilt, increase the frequency of watering. Similarly, if there is waterlogging in the soil, reduce the amount of water the plant receives.

Fertilization

Digitaria bicornis requires regular fertilization to promote healthy growth. Apply fertilizer during the growing season every four to six weeks to help the plant thrive. However, it is essential to avoid over-fertilization, which may result in leaf burn or reduced growth.

You can use a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. For organic options, use compost or well-rotted manure.

Pruning

Digitaria bicornis requires pruning to encourage bushier growth and maintain a neat appearance. The plant tends to produce long shoots that can outgrow the desired size rapidly.

Prune these long shoots by cutting with clean pruning shears at an angle just above the leaf node. This technique will encourage the plant to produce new shoots and maintain a more compact size.

Pruning can be done at any time during the growing season, but it is recommended to avoid pruning winter's overgrown shoots.

Propagation

There are several methods to propagate Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex Loud.:

Seed propagation

The most common and easiest way to propagate Digitaria bicornis is by using seeds. The seeds must be collected when the plant has fully matured, and they can be sown directly into the soil.

The best time to sow the seeds is during the spring or summer when the temperature is warm and the moisture in the soil is adequate. The seeds can be sown at a depth of about 1-2 cm, and they will germinate within 7 to 14 days.

Vegetative propagation

Another way of propagating Digitaria bicornis is through vegetative propagation. This method involves taking stem cuttings or dividing the parent plant into smaller sections and replanting them.

Stem cuttings should be taken from the parent plant during the growing season and planted in a well-draining soil mixture. They should be kept moist and warm until new growth appears.

Dividing the parent plant involves carefully digging up the plant and separating it into smaller sections. These sections can be replanted into a well-draining soil mixture and kept moist and warm until new growth appears.

Disease Management

Digitaria bicornis is susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases. Some of the most common diseases that might affect the plant include:

• Leaf spot disease: caused by various fungi, this disease causes the leaves to develop small, circular to irregular spots. Infected leaves eventually turn yellow and fall off the plant. To manage leaf spot disease, remove infected leaves and treat the plant with a fungicide.
• Rust: caused by fungi, this disease appears as raised, orange or brown pustules on the leaves, stems, and sheaths. Rust can affect the plant's growth if left uncontrolled. To manage rust, remove infected plant parts and apply a fungicide.
• Bacterial blight: caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. digitariae, this disease causes yellow to brown spots on leaves. Infected leaves eventually wither and die. To manage bacterial blight, remove infected plant parts and apply a copper-based fungicide.

Pest Management

Digitaria bicornis is also susceptible to various pests that can affect its growth and yield. Some common pests that might affect the plant include:

• Aphids: these small, pear-shaped insects suck the sap from the plant, causing it to weaken and deform. To manage aphids, remove them from the plant manually or apply insecticidal soap.
• Armyworms: the larvae of certain moths, armyworms can cause extensive damage to the plant by consuming its leaves. To manage armyworms, remove them from the plant manually or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural insecticide.
• Scales: these pests attach themselves to the stems and leaves of the plant, sucking its sap and causing it to weaken. To manage scales, remove them from the plant manually or apply horticultural oil.

Regular monitoring and timely management of diseases and pests is essential to maintain the health and vigor of Digitaria bicornis. A combination of cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods can help prevent and manage diseases and pests effectively.