DescriptionA glabrous perennial, 25

Description
A glabrous perennial, 25-75 cm high, having short rhizomes and slender to moderately stout arching stolons with short internodes. The grass often forms a dense mat. Leaf-blades are 5-20 cm long, 2-6 mm wide, flat or folded with a rounded or obtuse apex. The inflorescence consists of two to three slender, sessile, erect spikes, the upper pair approximate and the third a little remote. The spikes are straight and the rachis is 0.5 to 0.75 mm wide. The spikelets, each 2 mm long, are arranged in two neat rows. The fertile floret almost equals the spikelet in length, and is white to pale yellow in colour. It differs from A. compressus in having more slender culms and stolons, narrower leaves and shorter (2 mm) spikelets which are more obtuse; it has wavy or flexuous peduncles and fertile lemmas with glabrous apex or only a very reduced tuft of apical hairs (Barnard, 1969) (see Fig. 15.8).
Distribution
A. affinis is believed to have originated either in the southern United States, the West Indies or Central America. It is now found in the tropical and subtropical regions of America, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific islands.
Season of growth
Summer growing, with peak growth in late summer.
Rainfall requirements
Usually in excess of 750 mm per annum.
Drought tolerance
It is more drought-resistant than A. compressus and will invade hilly, as well as flat, country.
Soil requirements
It prefers a sandy, moist soil and will flourish in sandy and heath soils too infertile for Paspalum dilatatum. It will respond however to more fertile conditions.
Ability to spread naturally
Under favourable conditions this grass will rapidly spread by stolons and rhizomes, and the abundance of light seed enables it to spread quickly also from seed spread by grazing animals.
Land preparation for establishment
It can be established on a well-prepared seed-bed or broadcast into ashes after a scrub burn.
Sowing methods
Usually broadcast on the surface and harrowed or rolled in.
Sowing depth and cover
Surface sowing with the minimum of cover.
Sowing time and rate
In the United States it is sown at 6-12 kg/ha from spring to midsummer.
Number of seeds per kg.
Approximately 2 860 000.
Tolerance to herbicides
Bromacil at 1.8 kg of an 800 g AI/kg product (e.g. Hyvar X) per 200 litres water plus 250 ml surfactant sprayed at a minimum of 450 litres water per hectare will control it (Tilley, 1977). 2,2-DPA at 4.8 kg/ha sufficiently restrained the growth of carpet grass to allow sod-seeding of white clover in Alabama, United States (Searcy & Patterson, 1961).
Seedling vigour
It has a very vigorous seedling stage.
Vigour of growth and growth rhythm
It has a short growing season, extended by early nitrogen application.
Response to defoliation
It stands heavy defoliation. Under high cutting height its yield is reduced.
Grazing management
It should be kept in the vegetative state by frequent grazing and periodically renovated and fertilized with nitrogen, especially in spring to prolong its feeding value.
Response to fire
It recovers quickly from fire.
Dry-matter and green-matter yields
Yields of fertilized carpet grass ranged from 812-5 197 kg/DM/ha per year in the south-eastern United States with nitrogen applications from 56-370 kg N/ha per year (Martin, 1975).
Suitability for hay and silage
It makes poor-quality hay, since when it is high enough to harvest it is low in nutritive value.
Value as a standover or deferred feed
In its mature state it is really only poor-quality roughage.
Toxicity
No toxicity has been reported with this grass.
Cultivars
No cultivars are recorded.
Diseases
No major diseases occur.
Main attributes
It grows on poor soil and covers the ground against erosion, and it tolerates overgrazing. It is considered a good horse feed, as horses eat the masses of seed-heads avoided by cattle (McLennan, 1936).
Main deficiencies
It has very low nutritive value, especially after seeding, low dry-matter yield and response to fertilizer, short growing season, poor root development and low animal production.
Optimum temperature for growth
Top growth was maximum at a temperature of 27-32°C with a day length of 15 hours.
Minimum temperature for growth
Temperatures below 12.8°C inhibited flowering (Lovvorn, 1945). In Australia it is found further south than A. compressus.
Frost tolerance
It has some degree of tolerance to frost.
Ability to compete with weeds
It dominates annual weeds in a pasture. It is often a weed itself.
Maximum germination and quality required for sale
60 percent germinable seeds, 97 percent purity (Queensland) germinated at 20-35°C with KNO3 moistening agent.
Pests
No major pests are evident.
Palatability
It is fairly palatable till flowering, after which its palatability declines.
Response to photoperiod
It flowers in all day lengths from eight to 16 hours, but seed production is greatest under 12- to 14-hour day lengths (Knight & Bennett, 1953).
Chemical analysis and digestibility
Its forage is generally of much poorer quality and lower feeding value than Paspalum dilatatum. Its copper levels are much lower than those of the latter. After seed set, the crude protein level in mat grass may fall as low as 4 or 5 percent. Grain or urea-molasses supplements need to be fed to lactating dairy cattle in this case, and phosphorus should be available.
Natural habitat
Subhumid and humid woodland and savannah.
Tolerance to flooding
It prefers moist-soil but does not withstand prolonged flooding or permanently swampy conditions very well, though better than Paspalum dilatatum.
Fertilizer requirements
It has a low fertility requirement but will respond to fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, but its efficiency of use of applied nitrogen is low compared with other pastures. Its shallow root system (96 percent of roots in the 0- 5 cm layer), lack of root response to fertilizer, and distribution, suit carpet grass to infertile, moist sandy soils. Apply 224 kg/ha superphosphate at sowing and annually (McLennan, 1936).
Compatibility with other grasses and legumes
It is a low-fertility grass; as soil fertility declines it can successfully invade Paspalum dilatatum pastures, as well as Cynodon dactylon lawns. Few legumes will grow with it to compete with its dense sod.
Genetics and reproduction
2n=80, 54 (Fedorov, 1974).
Seed production and harvesting
A. affinis is a prolific seeder and seed is shed easily. If seed were required it could be beaten off with revolving beaters on to a tray. It is harvested mechanically in Mississippi and Louisiana, United States.
Economics
It is a low-quality pasture which indicates declining fertility throughout the tropical world.
Animal production
Animal live-weight gains from carpet grass are low compared with other pasture species, and live-weight losses occur in winter. Live-weight gains from pure pasture alone have been 84-98 kg/ha per year unfertilized; with white clover and fertilized a peak of 693 kg/ha per year (Martin, 1975). When A. affinis replaces Paspalum dilatatum as a pasture butter production will drop 33 percent in northern New South Wales (McLennan, 1936).
Further reading
Barnard, 1969; Martin, 1975.
Value for erosion control
In the United States it is widely used to prevent erosion and stabilise road banks (Bennett, 1962

Hasil (Bahasa Indonesia) 1:

DeskripsiGlabrous abadi, 25-75 cm tinggi, memiliki rimpang pendek dan stolons melengkung ramping untuk cukup gemuk dengan pendek internodes. Rumput sering membentuk tikar padat. Pisau daun adalah 5-20 cm panjang, 2-6 mm lebar, datar atau dilipat dengan apex bulat atau tumpul. Perbungaan terdiri dari dua atau tiga ramping, sessile, tegak paku, pasangan atas perkiraan dan ketiga remote sedikit. Paku lurus dan rachis 0,5 – 0,75 mm lebar. Spikelets, masing-masing 2 mm panjang, disusun dalam dua baris rapi. Floret subur hampir sama dengan spikelet panjang, dan putih menjadi kuning pucat dalam warna. Ini berbeda dari A. compressus memiliki culms yang lebih ramping dan stolons, daun yang sempit dan lebih pendek spikelets (2 mm) yang lebih tumpul; memiliki peduncles bergelombang atau flexuous dan lemmas yang subur dengan glabrous apex atau hanya sangat pengurangan seberkas rambut apikal (Barnard, 1969) (Lihat rajah 15,8).DistribusiA. affinis diyakini berasal di Amerika Serikat Selatan, Hindia Barat atau Amerika Tengah. Hal ini sekarang ditemukan di daerah tropis dan subtropis Amerika, Afrika, Asia, Australia dan Kepulauan Pasifik.Musim pertumbuhanMusim panas yang tumbuh, dengan puncak pertumbuhan pada akhir musim panas.Persyaratan curah hujanBiasanya lebih dari 750 mm per tahun.Toleransi kekeringanHal ini lebih tahan kekeringan daripada A. compressus dan akan menyerang negara berbukit, serta datar.Tanah persyaratanItu lebih suka tanah berpasir, lembab dan akan berkembang dalam tanah sandy dan heath terlalu subur untuk Paspalum dilatatum. Ia akan menjawab Namun kondisi lebih subur.Kemampuan untuk tersebar secara alamiDi bawah kondisi yang menguntungkan rumput ini akan cepat menyebar oleh stolons dan rimpang, dan berlimpahnya lampu benih memungkinkan untuk menyebar dengan cepat juga dari biji yang disebarkan oleh merumput hewan.Persiapan lahan untuk pendirianItu dapat didirikan di tempat benih dipersiapkan dengan baik atau disiarkan ke abu setelah scrub membakar.Menabur metodeBiasanya siaran di permukaan dan harrowed atau digulung di.Menabur kedalaman dan penutupPermukaan menabur dengan minimum penutup.Menabur waktu dan tingkatDi Amerika Serikat yang ditaburkan di 6-12 kg/ha dari musim semi ke tengah musim panas.Jumlah biji per kg.Sekitar 2 860 000.Toleransi terhadap herbisidaBromacil 1.8 kg 800 g AI/kg Produk (misalnya X Hyvar) per 200 liter air ditambah 250 ml surfaktan disemprot minimal 450 liter air per hektar akan mengontrol (Tilley, 1977). 2,2-DPA 4.8 kg/ha cukup menahan pertumbuhan rumput karpet untuk memungkinkan sod-penyemaian Semanggi putih di Alabama, Amerika Serikat (Searcy & Patterson, 1961).Semangat bibitIni memiliki panggung bibit yang sangat kuat.Semangat pertumbuhan dan pertumbuhan iramaIni memiliki musim tanam pendek, diperpanjang oleh awal nitrogen aplikasi.Respon untuk defoliationIa berdiri defoliation berat. Di bawah ketinggian tinggi pemotongan hasil berkurang.Merumput manajemenHarus disimpan dalam keadaan vegetatif oleh merumput sering dan secara berkala direnovasi dan dibuahi dengan nitrogen, terutama di musim semi untuk memperpanjang nilainya makan.Respon terhadap apiItu pulih cepat dari api.Dry-materi dan hijau-materi hasilHasil panen dibuahi rumput karpet yang berkisar dari 812-5 197 kg/DM/ha per tahun di selatan-timur Amerika Serikat dengan nitrogen aplikasi dari 56-370 kg N/ha per tahun (Martin, 1975).Kesesuaian untuk jerami dan silaseItu membuat hay berkualitas rendah, karena ketika itu cukup tinggi untuk panen rendah nilai gizinya paling sedikit.Nilai sebagai standover atau ditangguhkan pakanDalam keadaan dewasa ini adalah benar-benar hanya buruknya kualitas roughage.ToksisitasKeracunan tidak dilaporkan dengan rumput ini.KultivarKultivar tidak tercatat.PenyakitPenyakit utama tidak terjadi.Atribut utamaItu tumbuh pada tanah yang buruk dan mencakup tanah terhadap erosi, dan mentolerir kebanyakan ladang ternak. Hal ini dianggap feed kuda yang baik, seperti kuda makan massa benih-kepala dihindari oleh ternak (McLennan, 1936).Kekurangan utamaIni memiliki nilai gizi yang sangat rendah, terutama setelah penyemaian, rendah hasil dry-materi dan menanggapi pupuk, pendek tumbuh musim, miskin akar pengembangan dan produksi hewan yang rendah.Suhu udara optimum untuk pertumbuhanAtas pertumbuhan pada maksimum suhu 27-32° C dengan panjang hari 15 jam.Suhu minimum untuk pertumbuhanSuhu di bawah 12.8 ° C menghambat berbunga (Lovvorn, 1945). Di Australia terdapat lebih Selatan daripada A. compressus.Frost toleransiIni memiliki beberapa tingkat toleransi terhadap embun beku.Kemampuan untuk bersaing dengan gulmaItu mendominasi tahunan gulma di padang rumput. Hal ini sering gulma itu sendiri.Pengecambahan maksimum dan kualitas yang diperlukan untuk dijual60 persen germinable biji, kemurnian 97 persen (Queensland) berkecambah di 20-35° C dengan KNO3 melembutkan agen.HamaTidak ada hama utama jelas.PalatabilitasHal ini cukup lezat sampai berbunga, setelah kelezatan yang menurun.Respon untuk photoperiodIni bunga di semua hari panjang dari delapan sampai 16 jam, tetapi produksi benih terbesar di bawah 12 - untuk 14-jam hari panjang (Knight & Bennett, 1953).Analisis kimia dan kecernaanHijauan yang umumnya jauh lebih miskin dan bawah makan nilai daripada Paspalum dilatatum. Yang tembaga tingkat jauh lebih rendah daripada yang terakhir. Setelah benih set, tingkat protein kasar di rumput mat mungkin jatuh serendah 4 atau 5 persen. Biji-bijian atau urea-molase suplemen perlu diberi makan untuk menyusui sapi perah dalam kasus ini, dan fosfor harus tersedia.Habitat alamiHutan subhumid dan lembab dan savannah.Toleransi terhadap banjirIni lebih suka tanah lembab, tetapi tidak menahan banjir berkepanjangan atau secara permanen rawa kondisi sangat baik, meskipun lebih baik daripada Paspalum dilatatum.Kebutuhan pupukIt has a low fertility requirement but will respond to fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, but its efficiency of use of applied nitrogen is low compared with other pastures. Its shallow root system (96 percent of roots in the 0- 5 cm layer), lack of root response to fertilizer, and distribution, suit carpet grass to infertile, moist sandy soils. Apply 224 kg/ha superphosphate at sowing and annually (McLennan, 1936).Compatibility with other grasses and legumesIt is a low-fertility grass; as soil fertility declines it can successfully invade Paspalum dilatatum pastures, as well as Cynodon dactylon lawns. Few legumes will grow with it to compete with its dense sod.Genetics and reproduction2n=80, 54 (Fedorov, 1974).Seed production and harvestingA. affinis is a prolific seeder and seed is shed easily. If seed were required it could be beaten off with revolving beaters on to a tray. It is harvested mechanically in Mississippi and Louisiana, United States.EconomicsIt is a low-quality pasture which indicates declining fertility throughout the tropical world.Animal productionAnimal live-weight gains from carpet grass are low compared with other pasture species, and live-weight losses occur in winter. Live-weight gains from pure pasture alone have been 84-98 kg/ha per year unfertilized; with white clover and fertilized a peak of 693 kg/ha per year (Martin, 1975). When A. affinis replaces Paspalum dilatatum as a pasture butter production will drop 33 percent in northern New South Wales (McLennan, 1936).Further reading
Barnard, 1969; Martin, 1975.
Value for erosion control
In the United States it is widely used to prevent erosion and stabilise road banks (Bennett, 1962