Selection of Grass Species Suited to Local Conditions

<< ATH Methodology

Of the thousands of grasses available, many will stand the environment of Brunei. However, the function of stabilisation and the appearance of thick low growth fortunately narrow our choices down to the following species (note. Ongoing research worldwide is continually breeding new types, hybrids and cultivars).

Bahia Grass ( Paspalum notatum)
  • Hard wearing deep rooted perennial dense turf. They generally have coarse leaves and low growth. Native to Central and South America. Cultivars – Pensacola and Argentine.
Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon)
  • A strong, creeping tropical turf grass. Its leaves are fine and stunted in growth. They are intolerant to shade. They are also commonly known as couch grass. Many hybrids and cultivars are available.
Carpet Grass (Axonopus affinis, Axonopus compressus)
  • This is a common tropical lawn grass. Also commonly known as cow or mat grass. It has a low growing nature with minimal nutrient requirement. Axonopus Affinis has a finer leaf compared to Axonopus compressus and forms a denser network like a mat. Axonopus compressus cannot be propagated through seeds.
Creeping Blue Grass (Bothriochoa insculpta)
  • This is a hardy creeping turf as the name suggests. It is very persistent and drought tolerant with a low requirement of nutrients.
Fescues (Fescuta variety)
  • A hardwearing, versatile, strong grass with deep root system. Abundant selective breeding and genetic engineering has developed many modern varieties for different turf purposes.
Queensland Blue Grass (Digitara didactyla)
  • A couch variety but tolerates shade and produces fine turf in moist areas.
Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana cv. Katambora)
  • This variety is fine leafed and has strong stolon development. It forms a dense erosion-resisting mat.
Sabi Grass (Urochola varieties cv. Nixon)
  • A drought resistant low growing grass with creeping stolon. It can tolerate intense sunlight and floods.
  • Application rates vary with grass type, site condition and area purpose. All have different strengths in terms of soil structure preferences and nutrient requirements; Selection is based on critical site conditions and requirements.
  • Combination of two or more of the above species in the right ratio gives superior results to a single type, however care in selection of types and ratio is necessary for best results. Other species are being trialed for suitability and will be released when proven.
  • Legume combinations are often desirable for increased nitrogen availability for the grass, many are suitable, and some grasses are not compatible with some legumes.