Paspalum Vaginatum

High quality turf, today widespread since its resistance to low level cutting, high resistance to traffic, drought and heat.
Highly resistant to water saltiness, acid grounds and water stagnation
As regards shadowy or low lighted places this grass is much more resistant than the Bermuda grass. This is one of the most interesting turf varieties for hot climate areas on sale.

Characteristics of the Paspalum vaginatum

Resistance to cold climate

It works very well in warm and transition areas (between the 30° and the 35° parallel) and shows a resistance to cold similarly to Bermuda grass. The paspalum is part of the warm season grasses that go in dormancy later on and their vegetative recover in spring is the most precocious.

Traffic resistance

Damage to soccer fields and golf courses due to accidents on the turf caused by golf carts, the impact of the balls and the strikes of the clubs and the passage of the maintenance machines furthermore to the damage caused by shoe heels are well known problems. Comparing the resistance of Bermuda grass with the resistance of Paspalum vaginatum to traffic , we can say this variety is much more resistant than any other species.

Resistance to salinity

We can evidence two types of damage resulting from soil salinity: too much water because of the incapacity of the plant to absorb it; damage to the tissues of roots and leaves. This variety is among the most resistant within types of turves. It well tolerates a mixture of sea water and fresh water.

Resistance to drought

This feature depends on the ability of plants to produce a high and deep rooting system, that makes it extremely resistant to water stress.

Resistance in shade and low light

Like the majority of warm season grass turves , it does not tolerate shadowy areas as under the trees, but in such situations it however behaves better than the Bermuda grasses, keeping its deep green color and has a limited thinning that instead characterizes Bermuda grass.

Resistance to an acid or alkaline soil pH

good tolerance to a Ph of 4.0 (very acid) to pH 9 (very alkaline)

Tolerance to water logging

This is very common problem in some Caribbean islands, on golf courses and residential lawns that are subject to high tides, which can flood the land for days. In these cases, poor oxygenation and stagnant water, this grass works excellently like no other one.

Cutting Height

In ideal conditions you should cut between 15 mm and 25 mm, maintaining thus a high quality turf of a deep green color.

Resistance to diseases

Diseases are not widespread on grounds with a high level of salinity.
There’ the possibility of attacks from the worms of various insects that in some periods (late summer) feed themselves with the leaves and roots, but as much the salinity of the site is higher as lower is the attack of these pests.

Weed control

These depend either from the salinity of the environment in which these turves live and on the density of the carpet. A low cut prevents the development of weeds.