Crop details

Rhodes grass

Chloris gayana

Family: Poaceae

Quick stats

Family	Poaceae
Typical harvest	9.0 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	5
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	perennial
Days to harvest	365
Main uses	Grazed pasture, cut-and-carry forage, hay production and soil cover in pasture systems.
Pollination	wind
Origin / where it grows	Warm-season tropical and subtropical grass widely grown in semi-arid to sub-humid regions as a key pasture species.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	20–32 °C
Rainfall	600–900 mm/yr
Altitude	0–2000 m
Best pH	5.5–7.5
Soil type	Light to medium-textured, well-drained sandy loams or loams; tolerates some salinity better than many forages.
Row spacing	30 cm
Plant spacing	10 cm
Planting depth	1 cm
Seed rate	6 kg/ha
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is perennial, which means once you plant it, the same plant can keep producing for many years. You can normally start harvesting about 365 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for grazed pasture, cut-and-carry forage, hay production and soil cover in pasture systems..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by wind. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Warm-season tropical and subtropical grass widely grown in semi-arid to sub-humid regions as a key pasture species. It is grouped under: Forages & Fodder.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 20 and 32 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 600 to 900 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2000 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 5.5 to 7.5. It does well in light to medium-textured, well-drained sandy loams or loams; tolerates some salinity better than many forages.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 30 centimetres apart, and leave about 10 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 1 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 6 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Sow into a fine but firm seedbed with good soil moisture. Rhodes seed is small, so plant shallow (about 1 cm) using a drill or broadcasting then lightly harrow/roll.

Transplanting: Usually direct sown, not transplanted. Avoid deep burial which greatly reduces emergence.

Irrigation: Under rainfed conditions, establish at onset of rains. Under irrigation, keep moist during establishment; after establishment, water between cuts or as pasture demand requires.

Fertigation: Under sprinkler or drip, split N and K into small doses after cuts or grazing to encourage leafy regrowth.

Pest scouting: Scout for armyworms, leaf spots, rust and termite damage at the base of plants, especially in dry spells.

Pruning: Manage by grazing or cutting. Avoid grazing too close (below 5–7 cm stubble) to protect crowns and promote persistence.

Harvest: For hay, cut at early flowering when there is a good balance of yield, leaf content and quality. For grazing, rotate when plants are 25–40 cm tall and remove stock at 10–15 cm.

Postharvest: Dry hay on clean ground or raised racks; turn gently to avoid leaf loss. Bale at safe moisture and store under cover to prevent moulding.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 17-17-17	100 kg/ha	N: 17, P₂O₅: 17, K₂O: 17	Apply and incorporate into topsoil before sowing; adjust rate according to soil test and manure use.
2	First topdress (post-establishment)	35	CAN 26% N	80 kg/ha	N: 21, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply once seedlings are well established and before first cut/grazing.
3	After heavy cut/grazing	80	NPK 20-10-10 or urea + K source	70 kg/ha	N: 14, P₂O₅: 7, K₂O: 7	Apply after a major cut or grazing rotation to stimulate regrowth where moisture is adequate.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	25	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	25	kg/ha
N	Mid_season	50	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Mid_season	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Mid_season	40	kg/ha
N	Late_season	20	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Late_season	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Late_season	20	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Common Rhodes (diploid) selection	KE	365	Persistent perennial pasture with good hay quality under Kenyan highland and mid-altitude conditions.
Fine-stem Rhodes grass	TZ	365	Finer stems and good leafiness, suitable for hay production in drier mid-altitude zones.
Local Rhodes-type pasture mix	UG	365	Mixed ecotypes used in smallholder dairies as cut-and-carry and grazed pasture.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17	100	Apply at establishment and incorporate before sowing on low to medium fertility soils.
Post-establishment	CAN 26% N	80	Apply once stand is established and actively growing, before first main cut/grazing.
After heavy cut/grazing	NPK 20-10-10 or N + K blend	70	Use after major cuts in high-producing systems to sustain yields and stand vigour.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Armyworms / caterpillar defoliators	pest	Rapid defoliation of leaves, “stripped” paddocks after large outbreaks.	Regular scouting during outbreak seasons, early intervention, and grazing/cutting before severe damage where possible.
Termites	pest	Tunnelling at crowns and lower stems, dead or lodging tussocks, especially in dry conditions.	Manage termitaries around fields, avoid heavy trash piles around plant bases and maintain good stand vigour.
Leaf spot / rust diseases	disease	Brown or rust-coloured spots on leaves, premature leaf shedding and reduced quality.	Maintain open swards, avoid overcrowding, cut/graze to remove heavily infected foliage and avoid excessive late nitrogen...
Root and crown rots	disease	Thinning patches, weak plants with rotted crowns/roots in poorly drained areas.	Improve drainage, avoid over-irrigation on heavy soils and rotate out of badly affected paddocks.
Weed competition	disorder	Patchy stands, invaded by broadleaf weeds and annual grasses reducing forage quality.	Ensure good establishment with correct seeding rate, early weeding and timely grazing/cutting to favour Rhodes over weed...

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Low-input rainfed (hay, DM)	5	3	7	1–3 cuts per year depending on rainfall; minimal fertilizer on smallholder farms.
Managed pasture/hay (DM)	8	6	12	Fertilized stands under good rainfall or supplementary irrigation with rotational grazing or cutting.
Intensive irrigated (DM)	14	10	18	High fertility and frequent cutting for dairy-quality hay/green chop.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Semi-arid and sub-humid mid-altitude and lowland dairy/beef zones	At onset of long or short rains into moist, well-prepared seedbeds.	First light cut/grazing from 8–10 weeks after establishment; multiple cuts/rotations each year depending on rainfall/irrigation.
TZ	Central corridor, coastal hinterlands and northern/southern highland fringes	Early in the rainy season when reliable moisture is available for establishment.	Cut or graze repeatedly during rainy and early dry seasons; growth slows in cool/dry periods.
UG	Drier cattle corridors and well-drained mid-altitude dairy zones	At onset of main rains on light, well-drained soils.	Continuous grazing or cutting once established, with peak production in rainy seasons.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Eastern, coastal, Rift and some western cattle belts with warm climates and seasonal rainfall	High
TZ	Central corridor, coastal hinterland and suitable highland fringes with good drainage	High
UG	Cattle corridor and mid-altitude dairy/beef areas on light to medium soils	High