Overview of Digitaria eriantha Steud.
Digitaria eriantha Steud., commonly known as "Pangola grass," is a warm-season, perennial grass native to Southern Africa. It belongs to the family Poaceae and is known for its high-quality forage production, making it a popular choice for livestock grazing and hay production.
Appearance
Pangola grass is a tufted, dense grass that can grow up to 1-4 feet tall. It has a thick, creeping root system that helps it spread rapidly. The leaves are flat and can vary in length from 5-30 cm, with a narrow width of only 1-2 mm. Its inflorescence is composed of narrow spikes that can be up to 15 cm long and are arranged in branching clusters.
Common Names
Pangola grass is known by different common names in various parts of the world. In addition to its scientific name, Digitaria eriantha Steud., it is also referred to as "Pangola Digitgrass," "Common Digitgrass," and "Slender Finger Grass" in different regions.
Uses
Pangola grass is widely used as a forage crop for livestock grazing and hay production due to its high nutritive value. It has a high crude protein content and good digestibility, making it an excellent source of nutrition for cattle, sheep, and other herbivorous animals. Pangola grass is also known to be drought-tolerant and can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
In addition to its use as a forage crop, Pangola grass is also valued for its soil conservation properties. Its thick root system helps to prevent soil erosion, making it a great option for sustainable land management practices.
Light Requirements
Digitaria eriantha Steud. prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives under bright light and has a high tolerance for intense sunlight. Shady areas may affect the full development of the plant and may cause it to grow longer stems.
Temperature Requirements
This type of plant thrives well in hot climates. It can tolerate high temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. The optimal growth temperature range is between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. However, it can also survive in lower temperatures of up to 10 degrees Celsius, but growth may be slower.
Soil Requirements
The ideal soil for Digitaria eriantha Steud. is well-draining and fertile, with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. It can tolerate a wide range of soils, including clay, sandy, and loamy soils. However, it prefers deep soils with high organic matter content for optimal growth and development.
The plant requires an adequate supply of nutrients for proper growth; hence the soil should be fertilized with balanced amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Cultivation Methods for Digitaria eriantha Steud.
Digitaria eriantha Steud. is a warm-season perennial grass typically grown for forage that is drought-resistant and performs well in hot climates.
The planting site should offer well-draining soil with good fertility and a pH range between 5 and 8. Adding organic matter or compost to the soil before planting can increase soil health. The most common way of growing Digitaria eriantha Steud. is by seed.
The seedbed should have been fully prepared by removing any weeds and debris, loosening the soil, and leveling the area before seeding. The soil should be moistened before planting the seeds. For seeding, spread the seeds evenly and lightly, followed by covering the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Water the seeds gently and regularly until they germinate.
Watering
Digitaria eriantha Steud. grows well in hot and dry climates and has a relatively low to moderate water requirement. During the establishment phase, it requires regular irrigation. While mature plants can tolerate prolonged periods without water, frequent watering on a weekly or biweekly basis is recommended during the growing season for optimal growth and production.
It is essential to monitor soil moisture in the top layer of about four inches to calculate the best irrigation amount and frequency. Deep watering to reach the root zone is more effective than light and frequent watering. Watering should occur in the morning hours to avoid excess moisture during the cooler parts of the day that may lead to fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Digitaria eriantha Steud. benefits from regular fertilization throughout the growing season. In addition to providing sufficient nitrogen, soil nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium should also be maintained for optimum growth.
Manure and compost are excellent sources of fertilizer for Digitaria eriantha Steud. Nitrogen fertilizers, particularly, are beneficial to grasses. When applying fertilizer, avoid over-fertilization, which may lead to nutrient runoff and soil contamination.
Pruning
Digitaria eriantha Steud. only requires minimal pruning. Frequent mowing and grazing management can control growth and ensure the regeneration of new and fresh growth.
Maintain a height of three’’ to four’’ for optimal grazing, and delay grazing and mowing until the grass stems are about 30 inches in height. This process allows for natural regrowth and the preservation of root systems.
Propagation of Digitaria eriantha Steud.
Digitaria eriantha Steud. can be propagated through various methods, including seeds, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture.
Seed Propagation
Seeds of Digitaria eriantha Steud. can be sown directly into well-prepared soil during the growing season. The seeds should be placed at a depth of 1 to 2 cm in the soil, and the soil should be kept moist until the seeds germinate. Germination usually occurs within two to three weeks, depending on the environmental conditions.
Vegetative Propagation
Digitaria eriantha Steud. can also be propagated vegetatively using stem cuttings or tillers. This method is often used to propagate specific cultivars or to propagate plants with desirable traits, such as disease resistance.
To propagate plants using stem cuttings, select a healthy stem and cut it into sections that are 5 to 10 cm long. Remove the leaves from the lower part of the stem and plant the cutting into well-prepared soil. The soil should be kept moist until the cutting establishes roots.
To propagate plants using tillers, select a healthy plant and remove a few tillers from the base of the plant. These tillers can be planted directly into well-prepared soil and should be watered regularly until they establish roots.
Tissue Culture
Tissue culture is a more advanced method of propagation that involves the growth of plant cells in a laboratory setting. This method is often used to propagate plants on a large scale and to produce disease-free plants.
To propagate Digitaria eriantha Steud. using tissue culture, small pieces of plant tissue are sterilized and grown on a nutrient-rich medium. The cells will begin to grow and divide, producing new plantlets that can be transplanted into soil once they have grown large enough.
Disease Management
Digitaria eriantha Steud. is susceptible to a range of diseases that can significantly affect its growth and yield. The most common diseases that affect this plant include:
- Leaf spot: This fungal disease is characterized by the appearance of small, dark brown spots on the leaves. It can cause defoliation and reduce the plant's photosynthetic capacity. To manage the disease, remove and destroy infected leaves as soon as possible and apply fungicides.
- Gray leaf spot: This is another fungal disease that affects the leaves of the plant. It causes grayish spots on the leaves, which can lead to defoliation. To prevent and manage the disease, maintain proper plant spacing and apply fungicides.
- Anthracnose: This fungal disease affects the stems, leaves, and seeds of the plant. Infected plants develop black, sunken lesions on the stem, which can lead to wilting and death. To manage the disease, remove and destroy infected plant parts and apply fungicides.
Pest Management
Several pests can also damage Digitaria eriantha Steud., reducing its yield. Some of the common pests that affect this plant include:
- Cutworms: These insects can cause significant damage to the plant by cutting off the seedlings at the base. To manage cutworms, use cultural practices such as plowing or tilling to expose the larvae to predators and apply insecticides.
- Mites: These arthropods can cause leaf damage, which can lead to defoliation and yield loss. Monitor the plant regularly to detect the mites early and apply miticides as needed.
- Armyworms: These pests can defoliate the plant and reduce its yield. To manage armyworms, use cultural practices such as early planting and destruction of crop residue after harvesting. You can also apply insecticides when necessary.
Good crop management practices, such as proper sanitation and timely application of pesticides, can help prevent and manage diseases and pests, ensuring a healthy and high-yielding crop of Digitaria eriantha Steud.
