Sapphire Buffalo
Sapphire - Buffalo
Scientific name:
Stenotaphrum secundatum
Other names:
Species common name
Buffalo grass or Soft Leaf Buffalo (Australia)
St Augustinegrass (USA)
Cultivar name: B12
Trademark: Sapphire
Origin:
An open pollinated seedling selection from ´Sir Walter´. Selected for shorter and greener internodes than the ´Sir Walter´ parent at Clarendon, NSW in 2001. Breeder: Todd Layt, New South Wales, Australia.
Global distribution of cultivar:
Available from licensed commercial growers in Australia through Ozbreed. Licensed in USA through Sod Solutions.
IP protection: Australian PBR certificate #2317 (granted 1 September 2003)
Details
- Texture: Medium texture. Finer texture compared with other soft leaf buffalo grasses.
- Description: Long blue-green leaves, brown to yellow green stolons. Leaf width averages 5.81 mm. Mature leaves fold in on themselves length-wise to produce a finer textured appearance. Rapid lateral stolon growth. The internodes are medium-long (mean 52.9 mm) and shoots develop from the nodes (Duff, A. et al, 2009).
- Use: Lawns (residential/commercial/industrial), parkland
- Mowing height: Summer: 30-50 mm
- Winter or shaded conditions: 40-55 mm
- Method of propagation: Vegetative sod, sprigging of stolons
- Preferred soil types: Sandy loams to clays, although sandy loams are better, pH 5.2 to 7.5 preferred. Tolerance range pH 4.6 to 8.1. Not tolerant of water logging.
Comments
Rarely produces seed.
Vigorous in subtropical and tropical areas, requiring weekly mowing to avoid scalping. Good spreading ability, moderate upright growth habit.
Soft leaf texture.
Avoid higher levels of nitrogen application, except in early spring and when grass is recovering from wear. Do not apply nitrogen during dormancy. Grows well under low fertiliser conditions. Best fertilising practice is to use a slow release fertiliser in Autumn and Spring.
Time from planting to harvest with a hand turf cutter: 9 months.
Tolerances
- Heat: Excellent in high and low humidity areas, but grows best at moderate temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. Does not show significant yellowing in summer.
- Cold: Good. Survives normal frosts to -10°C under Australian conditions. Good Winter colour retention.
- Shade: Moderate to high shade tolerance (Duff, A. et. al., 2009). Performed well in shade trails compared with other soft leaf buffalo grass. Can withstand shading under trees - up to 50% shade for wear areas and 70% shade for low wear areas.
- Drought: Medium plus. Deep root system and less leaf water loss compared to some other soft-leaf buffalo grasses.
- Salinity: Medium salinity tolerance. Tolerates slightly higher salt levels than ‘Sir Walter’ before productivity first starts to decline (Loch et. al., 2006)
- Wear: Medium. Not recommended for high traffic areas. Better wear tolerance than sweet smother, kikuyu and ‘Wintergreen’ green couch in 50% shade (Duff, A. et. al., 2006). Rapid lateral extension and regrowth; however, it needs a recovery time to repair damage. Further study of performance in full sun is required.
- Herbicide sensitivity: The relative tolerance of individual soft leaf buffalo grass cultivars to common pests of the species is yet to be determined. In general Stenotaphrum secundatum is susceptible to many of the herbicides used for the management of green couch. Use only registered herbicides in accordance with the label that are safe for soft leaf buffalo grass. Avoid herbicides containing DSMA and MSMA.
- Pests and diseases: Susceptible to army worm, sod webworm, crickets, black beetles and fungal diseases like other soft leaf buffalo grasses.
Photos used on this page are not necessarily photos from DEEDI
For more information and updates on warm season turfgrasses, their production and management please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/turf
For updates on Sapphire please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_16884.htm
