Urochloa mosambicensis

Cultivation Details

In its natural habitat Urochloa mosambicensis occurs at elevations up to 1,600 metres in regions with a mean annual rainfall of 400 - 1,200mm, exceptionally to 1,600mm, and a dry season of 5 - 9 months^{[1, 2]}. Plants have tolerated light frosts, but are checked by anything more than this^[3]. Prefers a sunny position, but tolerates light shade^[4]. It will grow in a wide range of soils, from clay loams to sands, but appears to be more suitable for lighter soils with relatively high fertility^{[1, 2]}. It can tolerate both acid and alkaline soils^[2]. Established plants are drought tolerant^[2]. In northern Australia the plant has escaped from cultivation and becomes dominant after fires^{[1, 2]}.However, the plant is considered to be too palatable and insufficiently aggressive to become a serious weed^[4]. The seeds germinate early in the wet season and vegetative growth continues until soil water is exhausted. Flowering starts 3 - 4 weeks after the start of the rainy season and continues until growth ceases. Seed matures in 3 - 4 weeks^[1]. Plants are often short-lived, dying after 3 - 4 years^[1]. Urochloa mosambicensis is an obligate apomict^[1]. The plant follows the C4 photosynthetic pathway^[1]. To obtain the grain, the inflorescences are picked when still slightly green and spread out in the sun to dry. When dry, the grains are easily rubbed from the stalks^[1]. Annual grain yields of 100 - 300 kilos per hectare have been recorded from Australia^[1].