| Scientific name: | Digitaria sanguinalis (L.); synonym= D. aegyptiaca |
| Cultivars: | Quick-N-Big (for upper midwest) |
| Origin: | Africa |
| Growth Habit: | Upright growth, semi bunch, sod forming |
| Life Cycle: | Annual |
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| Use |
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| Production: | 1 to 2 tons/acre to over 5 tons (10,000 lb/acre) depending on rainfall Utilization 45-55 days after planting |
| Nutritive Value: | Highly palatable; good to excellent quality warm season grass hay , green chop, and silage.Over 70% digestibility at boot stage |
| Herbaria Image: | Click this link |
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| Identification |
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| Seed Head: | Digitated raceme |
| Seed: | 800,000 seeds/lb |
| Shoot: | 6-24 inches Pubescence at the nodes |
| Leaf: | Hairs present on top and under surface |
| Auricles: | None |
| Ligule: | Membranous and prominent |
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| Adaptation |
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| Soil: | Sandy loam - clay |
| pH: | 5.5-7.0 |
| Moisture: | Drought tolerant but not excessively drought |
| Temperature: | Warm-season No frost or cold toleranceMinimum for germination is 55°F |
| Other: | Grows well in mixtures with perennial cool-season grasses. |
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| Establishment - Management |
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| Seeding rate: | 3-5 lb/acre |
| Seed cost: | $5.75/lb; $18-28/acre |
| Planting date: | June 1 to June 15 |
| Planting depth: | less than 1/2 inch |
| Frost seeding: | Not recommended (lacks cold tolerance) |
| Fertilization: | Apply N fertilizer in split applications of 50 to 60 lb N/acre per harvest or grazing cycle; P and K according to soil test Do not apply N fertilizer after mid-August, because little growth is expected. |
| Grazing: | Grazing height: 6-18 inches ,li>Stubble height: 4 inches |
| Hay: | 18-24 inches; stubble height: 4 inches |
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| Notes |
Use a roller pass in the soil before planting and after planting.
Susceptible to armyworm if left under utilized
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