Overview
Melinis pallida, also known as Natal redtop or Natal common grass, is a warm-season perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. Native to South Africa, this plant is widely cultivated for forage and ornamental purposes in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Appearance
Melinis pallida grows up to 150 cm tall and has a dense tufted habit. The leaves are linear, about 5-25 cm long and 3-6 mm wide. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikelets that are 4-7 mm long and borne on a slender stem that rises above the foliage. The flowers are usually reddish-purple or pinkish in color.
Uses
Melinis pallida is highly valued as a forage crop due to its high nutritional content. It is known to have good palatability and digestibility, making it an excellent feed option for livestock like cows, sheep, and goats. Additionally, this plant is used as an ornamental grass in gardens and landscaping due to its attractive appearance and ability to tolerate a wide range of soil and environmental conditions.
In traditional medicine, Melinis pallida is believed to have certain medicinal properties and is used to treat various health conditions like ulcers, diarrhea, and dysentery. However, scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of this plant as a treatment for these conditions is currently lacking.
Light requirements
Melinis pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb. requires full sunlight exposure to grow properly. It can tolerate partial shade, but complete shade can hinder its growth. It is essential to plant it in an open area where it can receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
Temperature requirements
The plant requires a warm climate to thrive, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C. It is a tropical plant, and it cannot survive in harsh cold conditions. Exposure to frost or temperatures below 10°C can kill the plant. It is best to grow Melinis pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb. in regions with warm and humid climates.
Soil requirements
Melinis pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb. grows best in well-draining, fertile soils. It can tolerate a wide range of soil textures, but it prefers sandy soils that are rich in organic matter. It can also grow in clay soils as long as they are well-draining. It is important to maintain the soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral, for optimal growth. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Adequate drainage is necessary to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot and other diseases.
Cultivation Methods for Melinis Pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb.
Melinis pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb., also known as Natal redtop, is a hardy perennial grass that is best grown in full sunlight. It can grow well even in poor soil conditions, but the soil must be well-drained and have a pH level of about 5.5 to 6.5.
The grass can be propagated by seeds, which should be planted in moist soil and covered with a thin layer of soil. It is advised to sow the seeds after the last frost has passed.
Watering Needs
Melinis pallida is drought-tolerant and requires very little water to survive. However, it is important to water the plant during extended dry periods to keep it healthy and looking vibrant. It is recommended to water the plant once a week, giving it a light soaking so that the water can penetrate deep into the soil.
Fertilization
Since Melinis pallida is a hardy grass, it can survive with little to no fertilization. However, if you want to give it a nutrient boost and promote growth, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer during the growing season. It is advisable to apply the fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for Melinis pallida, as it is a low maintenance grass. However, if you want to keep the plant looking neat and tidy, you can trim it back in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. Cut back the old and dry stems to about 1 to 2 inches above the soil level.
Propagation of Melinis pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb.
Melinis pallida Stapf & C.E.Hubb. can be propagated by both sexual and asexual methods. The plant's reproductive structures are small spikelets which contain flowers that are wind-pollinated.
Sexual Propagation
The propagation of Melinis pallida can be done through seeds. Seeds can be collected from mature spikes and dried in the sun for a few days. After drying, the seeds can be stored in a dry and cool place until needed. The seeds can be planted in seed trays or directly in the field. The best time to plant the seeds is during the rainy season when there is enough moisture to support the growth of the seedling. The seeds should be sown at a depth of about 0.5-1 cm and kept moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually occurs within 14-21 days, depending on the prevailing temperature and moisture levels.
Asexual Propagation
Melinis pallida can also be propagated asexually through vegetative means. One of the common methods is through the use of stem cuttings. The stem cuttings should be taken from mature plants with healthy stems. The cuttings should be about 10-15 cm long and should be taken from the upper part of the stem. The leaves should be removed from the lower part of the stem and the cutting should be treated with hormone rooting powder to encourage root development. The cutting can be planted in a pot or directly in the field. The cutting should be watered regularly to maintain soil moisture until roots are formed, which usually take about 3-4 weeks.
Disease Management
Melinis pallida is susceptible to different fungal diseases, mainly leaf spots caused by Bipolaris setariae, Curvularia lunata, and Exserohilum longirostratum. Rust caused by Puccinia melini is also common in some regions. Foliar pathogens cause discoloration and death of leaves, leading to reduced plant vigor and yield.
To manage fungal diseases, preventive measures are crucial, such as planting resistant varieties, crop rotation, and avoiding overhead irrigation. The practice of sanitation, such as removing and destroying infected plant parts, is also useful. Fungicides such as triazoles and strobilurins can also be used, but their effectiveness may vary with the pathogen and the environmental conditions.
Pest Management
Melinis pallida is relatively tolerant of insect pests, but outbreaks of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the stem borer (Chilo partellus) can cause significant yield losses. The fall armyworm feeds on the leaves and can cause complete defoliation of the plant, leading to the loss of yield. Stem borers feed on the stem, which can result in lodging, making it difficult to harvest the crop.
Integrated pest management strategies are effective in controlling insect pests, combining cultural, biological and chemical control methods. Regular monitoring of fields and use of pheromone traps to detect pest populations can help plan timely intervention. Cultivation of non-host crops nearby can reduce pest pressure. Biological control using natural enemies such as parasitoids and predators is also useful. Insecticides such as spinosad and emamectin benzoate can be used for chemical control, but their use should be judicious to prevent resistance development and non-target effects.
