General Description
Digitaria geniculata Stent is a species of grass that belongs to the family Poaceae. It is a warm-season perennial grass that is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The plant is known by several common names including velvetgrass, buttongrass, and tropical crabgrass.
Appearance
The plant has a dense and spreading growth habit, with stems reaching a height of up to 90 cm tall. The leaves are narrow, with a bluish-green color and a velvety texture. The inflorescence of Digitaria geniculata Stent is a compact, spike-like structure, which may vary in color depending on the maturity of the plant.
Origin
Digitaria geniculata Stent is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. It is highly adaptable, and can thrive in a wide range of environments, including tropical forests, grasslands, and disturbed areas such as roadsides, pastures, and cultivated lands. It has also been introduced to other regions and is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world.
Uses
Digitaria geniculata Stent has various uses including as a forage plant for livestock and as a ground cover to control erosion. Its seeds can be used for human consumption as a cereal grain or used to make flour. In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat several conditions, including malaria, fever, and insect bites. It is also used in various cultural ceremonies in some regions of the world.
Light Requirements
Digitaria geniculata Stent, commonly known as the velvet crabgrass, prefers full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. It thrives in areas with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. In shaded regions, the plant's growth rate slows down, and its foliage becomes thinner and less dense.
Temperature Requirements
The velvet crabgrass is a warm-season grass that requires a minimum soil temperature of 10°C to germinate correctly. Once established, the grass can withstand high temperatures of up to 38°C, making it a popular choice for lawns in hot and humid regions. However, it cannot tolerate frost, and its growth rate slows down in temperatures below 15°C.
Soil Requirements
Digitaria geniculata Stent prefers well-draining soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5-7.5. It can grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. However, it does not do well in compacted or waterlogged soils, and proper drainage is crucial for optimal growth. The plant's roots are shallow and spread out wide, making it drought-tolerant but also prone to uprooting in flood-prone areas.
Cultivation Methods
Digitaria geniculata Stent is a warm-season grass that thrives in temperatures around 75 to 85 °F, and it prefers well-draining soils that are moderately fertile. It is commonly cultivated in tropical regions but can be grown in other areas that have similar climates and soil types. If you want to cultivate this plant, consider sowing seeds at the beginning of spring in well-prepared seedbeds.
Watering Needs
Watering Digitaria geniculata Stent varies depending on the environmental conditions. During the hot and dry seasons, frequent watering is necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. In contrast, during the rainy season, there's no need to water excessively, and the plant can go without water for a few days.
Fertilization
To promote growth and ensure that Digitaria geniculata Stent is healthy, it is necessary to fertilize the plant regularly. The best way to do this is by applying nitrogenous fertilizers that have the correct balance of nutrients. It is advisable to fertilize the plant at least twice a year, once at the beginning of the growing season and again at the end of the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for Digitaria geniculata Stent, but you can trim the blades occasionally to keep the plant looking neat and tidy. Trimming the blade also helps rejuvenate the growth of the plant in the following season. When trimming the blades, use a sharp blade and shear the leaves a few centimeters above the crown of the plant to avoid injuring the growing tips.
Propagation of Digitaria geniculata Stent
Digitaria geniculata Stent can be propagated through various means.
Seed Propagation
Seeds of Digitaria geniculata Stent can be collected from mature plants. The seeds need to be dried before being sown in a well-prepared seedbed. The seedbed should be moist and have good drainage. Germination should occur within 2-3 weeks, and the seedlings can be transplanted to their permanent location after about 4-6 weeks of growth.
Vegetative Propagation
Digitaria geniculata Stent can also be propagated vegetatively through stem or rhizome cuttings. Cuttings should be taken from healthy plants and planted in a well-drained soil medium. Cuttings should be watered regularly but not overwatered. New growth should appear within a few weeks.
Division
Large clumps of Digitaria geniculata Stent can be divided and transplanted. This can be done in early spring or fall. The clump should be dug up and divided into smaller sections, each with several shoots and roots. The transplanted sections should be placed in well-drained soil and kept moist until new growth appears.
Propagation via Tillers
Digitaria geniculata Stent can also be propagated by planting the tillers. The tiller is the small shoot that emerges from the base of the plant and grows horizontally. It is important to choose healthy plant tillers and plant them in the same depth as they grew originally. The soil moisture should be maintained to provide an ideal growing environment.
Disease management
Digitaria geniculata Stent is highly prone to fungal infections such as rust, gray leaf spot, and brown spot. These diseases can cause severe damage to the plant, leading to reduced yields or even death in severe cases. To avoid fungal infections, it is important to ensure the plant is grown in well-drained soil, and proper water management is maintained. Avoid watering the plant during the evening, as the moisture can act as a breeding ground for fungal infections. If the plant is infected with fungi, use of fungicides can effectively manage the disease.
Pest management
The common pests affecting Digitaria geniculata Stent are grasshoppers, cutworms, and armyworms. These pests can cause extensive damage to the leaves and stem of the plant, and if the infestation is not addressed in time, they can significantly reduce the plant's yield. One way of managing these pests is by handpicking them off the plant. Also, the use of organic pesticides can be helpful in managing and reducing the infestation. Another effective way of controlling the pest is by introducing natural predators such as birds and predators insects, in the planting area.
