UWRF University of Wisconsin-River Falls Upper Midwest Forages

Crabgrass

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
 
Use
 
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
    •  
    Identification
     
    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
     
    Adaptation
     
    Soil:Sandy loam - clay
    pH:5.5-7.0
    Moisture:
  • Drought tolerant but not excessively drought
    • Temperature:
  • Warm-season
  • No frost or cold tolerance
  • Minimum for germination is 55°F
    • Other:
  • Grows well in mixtures with perennial cool-season grasses.
    •  
    Establishment - Management
     
    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
    •  
    Notes
  • Use a roller pass in the soil before planting and after planting.
  • Susceptible to armyworm if left under utilized
    •  
    Photos


    Digitated raceme inflorescence detail


    Crabgrass 10-days old seedling, planted mid June (NW Wisconsin)


    Crabgrass ‘rooting’ at the nodes of the sod forming runners in Wisconsin.


    Quick-N-Go’ crabgrass on July 15, four weeks after planted in NW Wisconsin