Digitaria Xanthotricha (hack.) Stapf

Origin

Digitaria xanthotricha (Hack.) Stapf is a perennial grass species that is native to central and southern Africa.

Common Names

Common names for Digitaria xanthotricha include finger millet grass, yellow-haired finger grass, and golden-top grass.

Uses

Digitaria xanthotricha is primarily used for forage, hay, and erosion control. It is often planted in pastures and ranges for grazing animals as it has good drought tolerance and can survive in poor soils. Additionally, the seeds of this grass species are sometimes used for food and beverage production, particularly in Africa where they are used to make traditional alcoholic drinks and ground into flour for porridge.

General Appearance

Digitaria xanthotricha is a tufted grass that typically grows to a height of 30 to 90 cm. The leaves are flat and narrow, ranging from 2 to 25 cm in length and 2 to 10 mm in width. The inflorescence is a panicle, typically ranging from 10 to 40 cm in length and bearing numerous golden-yellow spikelets. The plant can spread via rhizomes and is known for its ability to regenerate after being grazed or mowed.

here

Light Requirements

Digitaria xanthotricha thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. It can tolerate full sun but may require more water in hotter months. Shadier conditions may slow its growth, but it can tolerate reduced light levels.

Temperature Requirements

Digitaria xanthotricha is native to the tropics, so it prefers warm and humid conditions. It grows well in temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F) and can tolerate occasional drops as low as 10°C (50°F). The plant is not frost-tolerant and may experience damage or death if exposed to freezing temperatures.

Soil Requirements

Digitaria xanthotricha prefers well-draining soils that are slightly acidic, with a pH range between 5.0 and 6.5. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clayey, but thrives in fertile soils with good nutrient content. The plant may require additional fertilizer applications if grown in nutrient-poor soils.

Cultivation Methods

Digitaria xanthotricha (Hack.) Stapf is a robust perennial plant that grows well in a sunny to partially shaded location with well-draining soil. It can be cultivated by seed or division and is easily propagated.

Watering Needs

The plant requires moderate watering. Water the plant once a week during the growing season and let the soil dry slightly between watering. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely or become waterlogged.

Fertilization

Digitaria xanthotricha (Hack.) Stapf benefits from regular fertilizer applications during the growing season when it is actively growing. Use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilize the plant once a month from mid-spring to late summer.

Pruning

Pruning is essential to remove dead or damaged foliage from the plant to maintain its health. Cut back the plant during the late winter or early spring before growth resumes. This will encourage fresh growth in the upcoming season. The plant should be pruned to the ground level to ensure healthy growth.

Propagation of Digitaria xanthotricha

Digitaria xanthotricha, commonly known as yellowhair crabgrass, is a warm-season grass that can be propagated by both seed and vegetative methods.

Seed Propagation

The most common way to propagate D. xanthotricha is through seed propagation. The seeds can be collected from mature plants, cleaned, and sown in early spring. The ideal soil temperature for germination is between 20-30°C.

Before sowing the seeds, the soil should be prepared by removing any weeds and loosening the topsoil. The seeds should be planted in shallow furrows, covered lightly with soil, and kept moist. Germination should occur within 7-10 days.

Seed propagated D. xanthotricha may not retain the same genetic characteristics as the parent plant, so it's important to select desirable traits when collecting seeds.

Vegetative Propagation

D. xanthotricha can also be propagated through vegetative methods such as sod or sprig planting. Sod planting involves laying pieces of turf containing grass and soil on prepared soil where it can rapidly take hold. This is a more expensive propagation method, but the resulting grass can establish itself more quickly.

Sprig planting involves cutting small sections of mature grass stems or runners and transplanting them into the soil. Sprig planting is less expensive than sod planting, but it takes longer to establish since it requires time for the roots to develop.

It's important to note that vegetative propagation maintains the genetic characteristics of the parent plant. This is an advantage when propagating plants with desirable traits.

Disease Management

Digitaria xanthotricha can be affected by a number of diseases. Some of the most common diseases that affect this plant include rust, brown patch, dollar spot, and leaf spot. Rust is a fungal disease that causes orange, powdery spots to appear on the leaves. Brown patch is a type of fungal disease that causes circular, brown spots on the leaves. Dollar spot causes small, circular brown patches and can be caused by a variety of fungi. Leaf spot is another fungal disease that causes irregularly shaped brown spots on the leaves.

To manage rust, apply fungicides such as copper sulfate or mancozeb to affected plants. To manage brown patch, apply fungicides that contain propiconazole, thiophanate-methyl, or chlorothalonil. To manage dollar spot, use fungicides that contain chlorothalonil, flutolanil, or thiophanate-methyl. To manage leaf spot, apply fungicides that contain copper sulfate or mancozeb.

Pest Management

Digitaria xanthotricha can also be affected by pests. Some of the most common pests that affect this plant include spider mites, aphids, and armyworms. Spider mites are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can cause yellowing and bronzing of leaves. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of the plant and can cause wilting and deformities. Armyworms are caterpillars that can cause extensive damage by feeding on the leaves of the plant.

To manage spider mites, regularly inspect plants for signs of infestation and apply insecticides such as pyrethrin or neem oil. To manage aphids, use insecticides that contain pyrethrin, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. To manage armyworms, use insecticides that contain Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad.