Smutsfinger Grass
SMUTSFINGER GRASS
Digitaria eriantha spp.
SMUTSFINGER GRASS
Digitaria eriantha spp.
Smutsfinger grass is a summer perennial forage grass. It is drought and cold resistant and has a good digestibility and palatability. It provides good ground cover for erosion control. Smutsfinger has an inherent dormancy that makes it slow to establish, which is why it is usually planted in a mixture with other perennial species.
Product Details
| Origin: | Africa |
| Scientific name: | Digitaria eriantha spp. |
| Common name: | Smutsfinger grass |
| Vegetative cycle: | Perennial |
| Soil fertility: | Medium (sandy, sandy-loam) |
| Growth habit: | Tufted |
| Height: | 1.2 – 1.4 m |
| Utilisation: | Direct grazing, Hay-making |
| Type of animal: | Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Goats, Game |
| Palatability: | Good |
| Digestibility: | Good |
| Rainfall requirements: | > 500 mm/year |
| Drought tolerance: | High |
| Cold tolerance: | High |
| Crude protein content: | 6 – 10% |
| Plant date: | October – February |
| Planting equipment: | Hand, Fine seed sower, Fert. spreader |
| Sowing depth: | 10 – 15 mm |
| Seeds per hectare: | 8 – 10 kg/Ha |
| Forage production: | 4 – 10 ton DM/ha/year |