A REVIEW OF THE BIOLOGY, ADAPTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DACTYLOCTENIUM AUSTRALE STEUD.(DURBANGRASS) AS A TURFGRASS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO AUSTRALIA

摘要

Dactyloctenium australe Steud.(Durbangrass) is a little known and poorly documented warm-season turfgrass species used for domestic lawns and parks in tropical and subtropical situations where a high level of shade tolerance is required.It is native to southern and eastern Africa,mainly in coastal and near coastal districts.Introduced to Australia shortly after 1900,Durbangrass has been used as a shade-tolerant turfgrass for approximately 50 years,and as a shade-tolerant groundcover under trees in subtropical orchards during the past decade,but it will also grow well in full sun.In this paper,we review the history,biology,adaptation,establishment and management of Durbangrass for turf use in Australia.