Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.1. Cynodon (Cynodon dactylon). Leaves folded in the bud; ligule a fringe
of hairs; collar narrow, covered with long hairs; auricles absent; sheaths strongly
compressed; blades short, 2-3 mm wide, rough along the edges, sharply pointed;
seed-head 3-5 slender spikes, originating at the top of the main stem; spikelets
oval, in two rows, each containing a single seed. (Drawing by R. Castro.)
Cynodon, which originated in Africa, besides being a very rich pas-
ture plant, is the most widely distributed turf-grass around the world. It
can be found in almost every region with a mild climate. In the tropical
climate, common cynodon grows fast and continuously, usually staying
dense and medium to dark green year-round. Where the soil temperature
drops to 10
C for a long period, cynodon loses its chlorophyll and turns
yellow or light brown and remains dormant until the soil temperature
rises again and remains above 10
8
C. It is drought-tolerant and has a good
tolerance to wear. It is well adapted to sunny conditions and has a
medium-coarse texture with a greyish green colour. Common cynodon
establishes a deep root system and produces long and lively rhizomes
and stolons. The presence of vigorous rhizomes makes it a troublesome
weed in flowerbeds that are adjacent to the turf. Cynodon rhizomes can
pass under cement kerbs or other barriers and then emerge on the other
side. The species is relatively resistant to numerous herbicides and other
chemicals and to many adverse environmental conditions. Overall it is a
8
