Information resources for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris also known as Pennisetum ciliare
What and Where | Impact | Links
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An excellent fodder if well managed, but its
displacement of native grass is a major concern |
A native of southern Asia and east Africa, Buffel Grass (Cenchrus cillaris) was introduced to Australia as an improved pasture. Buffel Grass is considered to be an excellent fodder species and is widely used as a pasture plant.
Generally, well-managed pastures do not cause toxicity problems for sheep and cattle, though lush plants may cause oxalate poisoning if grazed by hungry sheep. Horses may be affected by a condition known as 'bighead', caused by an induced calcium deficiency.
Impact on environment
However, the fact that Buffel Grass displaced native grass is a major concern, particularly in the arid inland of Australia. It forms dense swards in moist habitats such as along river banks or in alluvial pans. It also alters fire regimes.
Articles
Buffel grass and fire in a Gidgee and Brigalow woodland: A case study from central Queensland
This article examines the positive feedback relationship between Buffel grass and fire and the threat this constitutes to native vegetation in the Gidgee and Brigalow woodlands. [read more...]Fire responses of Cenchrus ciliaris
Summary of known fire responses from across Australia [read more...]The Impact of fire on Buffel Grass
Outlines the potential impact of the spread of Buffel Grass in the Northern Territory, also contains links for further information about identification, control and management of the species. [read more...]Links
ABC Country Hour - Managing Buffel - Interview with Chris Brock
www.abc.net.au/rural/nt/conten
Emma Haskin interviews Chris Brock, Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife, who has been mapping the weed at Kings Canyon to help conservation planning. ABC Country Hour Wednesday, 22/10/2008.
ABC Country Hour: Buffel grass having sex?
www.abc.net.au/rural/nt/conten
ABC Country Hour report by By Emma Haskin on CSIRO's Marg Friedel's reserch showing five percent of buffel reproduces sexually, explaining its ability to adapt to new environmental conditions. Wednesday, 04/02/2009
Australian Weed Risk Assessment for Cenchrus ciliaris
www.hear.org/Pier/wra/australi
This Weed Risk Assessment for Cenchrus ciliaris, on the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Web Site, uses the Australian Weed Risk Assessment Scheme (click here for more information on this scheme) to assess the likelihood of introduced plants becoming a pest.
Buffel Grass threatens half of country
www.theage.com.au/news/Busines
Article from "The Age" Newspaper
Buffel Grass: both friend and foe
www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/
Friedel, M., Puckey, H., O’Malley, C., Waycott, M., Smyth, A. and Miller, G. 2006. Buffel grass: both friend and foe. An evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of buffel grass use and recommendations for future research. Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, Alice Springs.
This report provides a history of Buffel Grass in Australia, examines the advantages and disadvantages of buffel grass to the pastoral industry, and considers other benefits, such as rehabilitation of degraded land and dust control, and disadvantages to conservation values, non-pastoral industries, Indigenous community values, increased fire risk and human health.
Defoliation and its effects on Enneapogon avenaceus and Cenchrus ciliaris populations during two summer growth periods in central Australian rangelands
dx.doi.org/10.1071/RJ9840017
Bosch O.J.H. and Dudzinski M.L. (1984). "Defoliation and its effects on Enneapogon avenaceus and Cenchrus ciliaris populations during two summer growth periods in central Australian rangelands". The Rangeland Journal 6, 17-25.
Author's abstract from journal
The frequency and intensity of defoliation on Enneapogon avenaceus (oat grass) and Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) populations under various grazing pressures were studied during two summer gowth periods. The effects of defoliation on seed head production and long term productivity were also investigated. The degree to which cattle concentrated on E. avenaceus is directly related to the available E. avenaceus biomass. In contrast, the degree of concentration on C. ciliaris populations is not only a function of the availability of C. ciliaris biomass, but also of the available palatable ephemeral biomass. Highest seed head production for both species came from ungrazed and lightly-defoliated plants. Sufficient seed replenishment for continued persistence of E. avenaceus populations was obtained when more than 60% of the plants in the population were ungrazed or only Lightly-defoliated. In this study continued dry matter production of C. ciliaris populations was not affected by defoliation. Longer term investi- gations are needed to define defoliation thresholds for the management of this species. Perennial C. ciliaris plants in open woodland communities are important for the persistence of the shortlived E. avenaceus populations. Cattle concentrated more on C. ciliaris than on E. avenaceus plants during the first two weeks of a growth period, which allowed the latter to grow and even to start producing seed before cattle concentrate on them. © CSIRO.
(PDF file,44 528 kB)
Dry matter digestibility in vitro of leaf and stem of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and related species and its relation to plant morphology and anatomy
dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR9890281
Wilson J.R., Anderson K.L. and Hacker J.B. (1989). "Dry matter digestibility in vitro of leaf and stem of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and related species and its relation to plant morphology and anatomy". Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 40, 281-291.
Author's abstract from journal
Twenty-one genotypes of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), and six other genotypes, viz. C. setigerus, C. pennisetiforrnis and C. ciliaris x C. setigerus hybrids, were examined for dry matter digestibility in vitro (DMD) of recently expanded leaf and stem at anthesis. Differences in DMD were related to morphological and anatomical characteristics of the tissues.Leaf DMD ranged from 64.0 to 73.4%0 and stem DMD (internodes 2-4 from the top) from 47.4 to 61.7%; genotypes of high leaf DMD generally had high stem DMD (r= 0.68). Leaf DMD was negatively correlated with the proportion of thick-walled tissues in leaf cross-section (r= -0.76), leaf dry weight (r= 0.77 ) and specific leaf weight (r= -0.82). Stem DMD was inversely related to the proportion of lignified tissue in stem cross-section (r= -0.55), height of flowering stem (r= -0.51) and total number of vascular bundles in the stem section (r= -0.55). Genotypes with a high DMD tended to have lax leaves and small vegetative tillers.The main commercial cultivars of buffel, viz. American, Biloela and Gayndah, were 4-6% units (leaf) and 2.5-7% units (stem) lower in DMD than the best genotype, indicating potential for improvement of digestibility. Specific leaf weight and numbers of vascular bundles in stem cross-section, which arc easily and quickly measured and have a heritability comparable to that for DMD, could be useful criteria for preliminary assessment of a large breeding population. © CSIRO.
(PDF file, 583 kB)
Ecoport profile for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris, also known as Pennisetum ciliare
ecoport.org/ep?Plant=666&entit
This profile of Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris, also known as Pennisetum ciliareon FAO's Ecoport Web Site, provides information on the appearance, distribution, ecology, status and use of the species. Links are provided to maps, illustrations and other resources. Information is incomplete for many species, but is being continually upgraded.
Establishment of buffel grass, green panic and Siratro from seed broadcast into a speargrass pasture in Southern Queensland
dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR9810749
Cook S.J. and Dolby G.R. (1981). "Establishment of buffel grass, green panic and Siratro from seed broadcast into a speargrass pasture in Southern Queensland". Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 32, 749-759.
Author's abstract from journal
The establishment and survival of seedlings from pasture seed oversown into a native speargrass (Hetevopogon contortus) pasture were studied in southern Queensland. Lime pelleted and unpelleted seed of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume) and Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) were either sown into a cultivated seedbed or broadcast into native pasture pretreated as follows: untreated control; mown to 3 cm; or killed with herbicide. Buffel grass was sown both as fascicles and as caryopses. Establishment was similar in all oversown seedbeds with seedling numbers accounting for 37 % of the germinable seed sown, compared to 49% in the cultivated seedbed. Pelleting increased establishment where competition was present, the effect being greatest for Siratro and least for buffel grass fascicles. Establishment of buffel grass caryopses was markedly inferior to that of fascicles. Seedling survival rather than seed germination was the main factor influencing the success of the pasture sowing. Less than 1 % of the grass seedlings survived in the mown and control plots, but 38 % survived where competition was controlled by herbicides. Siratro survived equally as well as the grasses in the herbicide-treated plots, but survived markedly better when in competition with native grasses. Surface broadcasting into native pasture is therefore considered a satisfactory, though risky method of establishment for legumes such as Siratro, but not for grasses, unless competition is controlled. © CSIRO.
(PDF file, 507 kB)
Impacts and management of Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) as an invasive species in northern Queensland
eprints.jcu.edu.au/1114/
Jackson, J. (2004) "Impacts and management of Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) as an invasive species in northern Queensland." PhD thesis, James Cook University
Invasion of native vegetation by Buffel Grass on Hillgrove Station in the Einasleigh Uplands was associated with a decline in species richness of the ground layer. Neither early dry season fire nor late dry season fire were found to control Buffel Grass.
Management Guide: Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris
www.weedscrc.org.au/documents/
Downloadable pdf document that provides information about why Buffel Grass is a problem, how to identify it, how it spreads, where it grows and how to control it. It also includes an example from South Australia, where control has been successful.
NT Agnote: Buffel Grass
transact.nt.gov.au/ebiz/dbird/
Information leaflet on the Northern Territory Government's Department of Business, Industry & Resource Development Web Site
NT Agnote: Buffel Grass in Central Australia
transact.nt.gov.au/ebiz/dbird/
Information leaflet on the Northern Territory Government's Department of Business, Industry & Resource Development Web Site
NT Agnote: Buffel Grass Seed
transact.nt.gov.au/ebiz/dbird/
Information leaflet on the Northern Territory Government's Department of Business, Industry & Resource Development Web Site
Physiological responses of semiarid grasses. IV. Photosynthetic rates of Thyridolepis mitchelliana and Cenchrus ciliaris leaves
dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR9750459
Christie E.K. (1975). "Physiological responses of semiarid grasses. IV. Photosynthetic rates of Thyridolepis mitchelliana and Cenchrus ciliaris leaves". Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 26, 459-466.
Author's abstract from journal
Photosynthesis response curves of mulga and buffel grasses to irradiance and to carbon dioxide concentration, together with studies of leaf anatomy and chloroplast structure, showed that the former was a C3 and the latter a C4 species. This is held to account for the large differences in growth rate between the two species.
Although Mitchell grass has the anatomy of a C4 species, its photosynthetic responses were not examined. As its net assimilation rate is high at high temperatures, its generally low growth rates are associated with the poor development of its leaf surface. © CSIRO.
(PDF file, 460 kB)
PIER Profile for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris
www.hear.org/Pier/species/cenc
PIER Profile for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris on the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Web site.
Information listed includes Status on Pacfic Islands; Common and scientific names across the region; Species description; Habitat/ecology; Methods of propagation; Native distribution; Distribution elsewhere; Other information sources; and, where available, Illustrations and a Weed Risk Assessment
PlantNet profile for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris
plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi
PlantNet profile for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris, with illustrations, description, and distribution of the species in New South Wales, and the status of the species in other States and Territories
Relationships between age and biomass of individual plants and seed production in two grazed tropical legumes. 2. Validation of models
dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR00176
McDonald C.K. and Jones R.M. (2002). "Relationships between age and biomass of individual plants and seed production in two grazed tropical legumes. 2. Validation of models". Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 107-114.
Author's abstract from journal
Relationships predicting legume seed production from total legume biomass and from age and biomass of individual legume plants in a grazing trial at CSIRO Narayen Research Station, in south-eastern Queensland, were compared with observed soil seed measurements over 9 years. This was part of a larger project to develop a demographic model of tropical perennial forage legumes in grazed pastures. Suitable data were available from Chamaecrista rotundifolia–Cenchrus ciliaris pastures stocked at 0.54 and 1.09 head/ha and from Stylosanthes scabra– C. ciliaris pastures at 1.09 head/ha.
Use of legume plant age and biomass, in conjunction with grass biomass (C. rotundifolia) or kg legume/head (S. scabra), to predict soil seed accounted for 87% (C. rotundifolia) and 77% (S. scabra) of the variation in observed values, and gave accurate and unbiased predictions. Prediction of soil seed from total legume biomass was better correlated with observed values for S. scabra (r2 = 0.72) than for C. rotundifolia(r2 = 0.63), but over-predicted values for S. scabraand under-predicted those for C. rotundifolia.
The results highlight that, with C. ciliaris, the grass biomass needs to be kept below 3000 kg/ha to maintain a C. rotundifolia population. Similarly, the results indicate that biomass of S. scabra may need to be kept below 400 kg/head to avoid the possibility of S. scabra dominance, depending on the companion grass.
Application of the seed production models in assessing the agronomic adaptation of these legumes and in predicting persistence of legumes and other species (e.g. weeds) is discussed. © CSIRO.
(PDF file, 190 kB)
The dispersal, impact and management of Buffel Grass in desert Australia
www.desertknowledgecrc.com.au/
This factsheet, on the Desert Knowledge CRC web site, describes a project studying the dispersal and impacts of Buffel Grass in central Australia, in order to develop sustainable management
The effect of phosphorus on the growth, chemical composition, and critical phosphorus percentages of some tropical pasture grasses
dx.doi.org/10.1071/AR9710693
Andrew C.S. and Robins M.F. (1971). "The effect of phosphorus on the growth, chemical composition, and critical phosphorus percentages of some tropical pasture grasses". Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 22, 693-706.
Author's abstract from journal
Nine tropical pasture grasses were grown in pots of a phosphate-deficient solodic soil with varying additions of phosphate. Growth responses and chemical composition of the plant tops were recorded, and from these, critical percentages of phosphorus were established. All species responded to phosphate addition. Under the conditions of this experiment Melinus minutiflora was the most responsive species and Pennisetum clandestinum the least responsive.
Critical percentages of phosphorus in the tops of Melinus minutiflora, Cenchrus ciliaris, Paspalum dilatatum, Panicum maximum, Chloris gayana, Sorghum almum, Setaria anceps, Digitaria decumbens and Pennisetum clandestinum sampled at the immediate pre-flowering stage of growth were 0.18, 0.25, 0.25, 0.20, 0.22, 0.20, 0.21, 0.16, and 0.22% respectively of the dry matter. Phosphate applications decreased the concentration of plant potassium, had no significant effect on calcium, increased magnesium in most species, and in four species increased sodium. The increases in magnesium and sodium are considered to result in part from reduced potassium uptake and the plant's ability to preserve cation balance.
Three species, C. gayana, P. maximum and D. decumbens, had relatively high concentrations of sodium (58, 46, and 46% of total cations respectively). In contrast S. anceps had a relatively high concentration of potassium (56 % of total cations) and low sodium (7%).
Phosphate applications decreased the concentration of nitrogen, and had little effect on chloride. © CSIRO.
(PDF file, 641 kB)
Tropical Grasslands Society description of the pasture plant Buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris
www.tropicalgrasslands.asn.au/
Tropical Grassland Society of Australia description of the pasture plant Buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris, written by L.R. Humphries and I.J. Partridge, describing the characteristics of the plant and its suitability for tropical and subtropical pastures in Australia
WA Florabase Profile for Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris
florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse
WA conservation status and taxonomic information for the plant Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris), and, when available distribution map and illustration, from FloraBase - The Western Australian Flora
Visit About FloraBase for information on WA FloraBase
Citation details: Western Australian Herbarium (1998-). FloraBase - The Western Australian Flora. Department of Environment and Conservation). http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/Weeds Australia Identification Guide: Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris
www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedi
This identification guide, on the Weeds Australia Web Site, includes photos, a description of the plant, notes on its distinguishing features and its dispersal ability, and a map of its current and potential distribution
