Managing rangelands: promoting sustainable grass/forage species: Buffel Grass: A resilient, drought-tolerant forage species to alleviate feed shortages and feeding costs.

Abstract

One of the most drought-tolerant of the commonly sown grasses, Cenchrus ciliaris occurs naturally in areas with an average annual rainfall that ranges from 100 mm to approximately 1,000 mm, but most commonly between 300 and 750 mm. The grass does not survive prolonged waterlogging, particularly in the cold season, but can stand up to five days of flooding with negligible adverse effects. Losses of 15-70 percent occur after 20 days of flooding.