Eragrostis Curvula Yield (T.Ha-1.Season-1) Based On SmithS (1994) Climatic Criteria

Eragrostis curvula, also known as Weeping Love Grass or Oulandsgras, is a tufted perennial with culms varying in height from 0.5 to 1.5 m and long, narrow bright green to bluegreen leaf blades up to 3 mm wide (Van Oudtshoorn,1992). Eragrostis curvula has a summer (September to March) growth period in areas where MAP > 600 mm and preferably > 700 mm (Smith, 1998), although it is difficult making hay from it when rainfall is too high (cf. also the effective rainfall fraction component of the yield equation in the first shaded box). It grows best where MAT is in the range 13 – 16 degree Celsius (Smith, 1994). Dry matter yield of Eragrostis curvula may be estimated by Smith`s (1994) rule-based approach (cf. first shaded box) using the effective rainfall for the summer months October to March in conjunction with accumulated summer month heat units (base 10 degree Celsius), and assuming that base fertilizer levels have been brought up by addition of appropriate applications of phosphates and potassium (with applications of K increasing as N application is increased) and that at least 250 kg nitrogen per ha has been applied.