Jabiru - Soft Leaf Buffalo Turf Gras
Scientific Name: Stenotaphrum Secundatum.
Buffalo grass is the common name in Australia. Buffalo grass is known as St. Augustine grass in America.
Origin: Jabiru originated near Coffs Harbour on the tidal reaches of the Bellingen River, North Coast, NSW (Australia). It was selected by John Powell of J & R Ag Pty Ltd in 2003, and after some initial studies, the grass was further trialed by Turf Force at Tamborine in Queensland.
Over the past 5 years Jabiru has undergone stringent testing and development by Turf Force and the Department of Primary Industries and fisheries (D.P.I.). In 2009 the D.P.I. finalised their research on all of Australia’s leading buffalo varieties. These trials centered around eight different, separate tests to monitor the performance, tolerance and success of buffalo turf grasses in a number of conditions. Jabiru (TF01) proved itself to be a hardy, tolerant and enduring turf grass. Trials were conducted in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth.
Introduction to Jabiru: Turf Force is proud to introduce the exciting new Jabiru Soft Leaf Buffalo turf variety to the Australian market place. Never before has a true, all-round Buffalo turf variety been offered to our market with this level of exciting research and trial data. Testing demonstrates that Jabiru (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is not only capable, but performs with excellence in a wide range of environments, making it perfect for all projects—from the smallest Aussie backyard to the most prestigious and alluring parks and gardens.
Overview: Softer, Greener, Faster, with minimal Thatch. Jabiru is the newest breed of buffalo turf to be released onto the market. Dark green colour. Jabiru turf grass performs extremely well in areas that have both sun and shade. Requires only 2-3 hours of sun per day. Jabirus’ runners grow more laterally reducing - thatch, sponginess, potential diseases, whilst making it one of the softest buffalo turfs to touch and play on. Fast re-growth assists in quick establishment and recovery from wear and tear. Excellent winter colour. Requires less mowing due to its lateral growth.
Jabirus’ Key Characteristics include:
- Excellent ability to handle both shade and sun environments;
- Superb drought tolerance;
- Its low thatch production and lateral growth habit make it a much softer lawn to walk and play on (thatch is an accumulation of the dead underlay of leaves that lie beneath the green leaf);
- Less thatch means it’s not as prone to moisture related diseases that thrive in the undergrowth;
- Fast re-growth assists in quick establishment and fast recovery from wear and tear;
- Less upright growth means less mowing; and
- Excellent winter growth and colour retention.
Trial Data Results Summary:
- Regrowth (Spaced Plant Experiments): Lateral growth trials have identified Jabiru as one of the fastest varieties to achieve coverage. Despite this, Jabiru was found to have low levels of thatch. Mowing Management Trials (results based on the amount of clipping): Trials conducted by the Queensland (Australia) DPI have shown that Jabiru has less upright growth than other cultivars in the Australian Commercial Group.
- Thatch: Observations have shown that despite its speed of growth, Jabiru has produced low levels of thatch.
- Herbicide Tolerance: In initial trials, Jabiru has the highest rating of all Australian cultivars. This will give producers and users of Jabiru a large range of options for weed management.
As a part of the Buffalo grass trials DNA testing was conducted by the QLD Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries in collaboration with the University of Queensland, where Jabiru was identified as a unique turf grass cultivar, with typical characteristics classifying Jabiru as a member of the Australian Commercial Group.
