Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) in Australia: Experiencias en el establecimiento, manejo y utilización de zacate buffel con ganaderos de Australia.

Abstract

The plant known as buffel grass in Australia is mostly Cenchrus ciliaris L. Around the Gulf of Carpentaria, C. pennisetiformis (Cloncurry buffel) is commonly called buffel grass also. The former is the same as Anjan grass in India and Pennisetum ciliare which Highight et al. (1991) studied cytologically. In Africa, other grasses, for example Panicum maximum are also called buffel grass. Despite being strongly apomictic, the material introduced to Australia from the Afro-Indian crescent is very variable. Buffel grass in Australia is now a valuable, naturalised pasture grass of similar value to crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) in USA rangelands or cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) in temperate climates.