Benefits provided by Tropic LaloOLERATESincluding macadamia coffee - PDF document

1 Benefits provided by ÔTropic LaloÕOLERAT
Benefits provided by ÔTropic LaloÕOLERATESincluding macadamia, coffee, and papayaPublished by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Andrew G. Hashimoto, Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, Universityof Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution providing programs and servicregard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexuCTAHR publications can be found on the Web site &#xhttp;&#x://w;&#xww2.;tah;&#xr46.;倀.hawaii.edu or ordered by calling 808-956-7046 or sending e- ÔTropic LaloÕ Paspalum and Hector ValenzuelaNatural Resources and Environmental Management and Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences hen HawaiiÕs farmers need a low-growing covercrop for their coffee, ornamental tree, or macad-Molokai often recommends the cultivar ÔTropic LaloÕPaspalum hieronymii). This non-invasivegrass grows fairly quickly, forming a thick mat of veg-soil from erosion. As the orchard canopy fills in, ÔTropicLaloÕ adjusts to the decline in sunlight. This grass canequipment traffic, and it is often planted on access roadsÔTropic LaloÕ is a rapidly spreading, stoloniferous grassfertile conditions. The plant originated in Brazil and wasintroduced to Hawaii in 1968. The leaves are linear, ap- inch (13mm) wide. Coarse hairs about inch (1.6 to 3 mm)long cover the leaves and stems. The flowering stemspending upon soil fertility. The plant produces many sto-2% of the seed produced is viable, so the plant is propa-gated vegetatively.ÔTropic LaloÕ is slower growing and requires lessÔTropic LaloÕ is adapted to a wide range of soil texturesfrom coarse to fine, and it t

2 olerates soil pH from 4.5 to7.0. It is s
olerates soil pH from 4.5 to7.0. It is somewhat tolerant of infertile soils. This grassrainfall of 40Ð100 inches (1000Ð2500 mm). ÔTropic LaloÕdoes not tolerate long dry periods. It is somewhat toler-drought. ÔTropic LaloÕ tolerates 50Ð60% shade withshaded conditions. In Hawaii, ÔTropic LaloÕ grows year- SA-CC-6Cover Crops: ÔTropic LaloÕ PaspalumCTAHR Ñ Aug. 2002 round at elevations ranging from sea level to 4000 ft,ally planted around backish water.ÔTropic LaloÕ is vegetatively propagated from sprigs(stem cuttings) or stolons planted on grids ranging from12 x 12 inches up to 36 x 36 inches. The closer spacinginfestation. The propagules are either broadcast onto theshallow furrows 1Ð3 ft apart. The minimum planting ratemore for closer spacings. In 12 x 12 inch plantings, com-planted is large, it may be necessary to establish a nurs-but establishment of ÔTropic LaloÕ is usually most suc-Weed controlOnce established, ÔTropic LaloÕ smothers weeds withFarmers can rely on an established cover of ÔTropic LaloÕpaspalum as a sustainable soil conservation tool to pre-waterways and roadsides from gullying. This grassÕ thickmat and strong root system effectively holds soil in place.The mat will trap large amounts of sediment from waterrunoff.Plan to grow ÔTropic LaloÕ in areas that experience heavyequipment use. This strong, rugged grass has proven itshardiness in field access roads and in other heavy trafficwater-holding capacity result from using permanentcover crops such as ÔTropic LaloÕ.gumes. When well designed, this method of crop diver-sification tends to reduce the farmerÕs risks from soil,pest, and weather problems. Try combinations of ÔTropicLaloÕ with white clover (Trifolium repensÔTropic LaloÕ responds to nitrogen (N) fertilizer appli-plications may not be necessary. In orchards, fertilizerapplied to the trees should provide sufficient nutrientsfo

3 r the companion cover crop. ÔTropic Lalo
r the companion cover crop. ÔTropic LaloÕ may begrown in mixture with legumes to benefit from their NÔTropic LaloÕ does not need frequent mowing unless aing may be necessary 6Ð30 times a year, depending onthe use and location. The cutting height can be less thanThe fact that ÔTropic LaloÕ cannot be grown from seedsome farmers in Hawaii. The initial cost of establish- SA-CC-6Cover Crops: ÔTropic LaloÕ PaspalumCTAHR Ñ Aug. 2002 This material is based on work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department oand the Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, under Cooperative Agreement 98-ESAG-1-0340. Portions of this teadapted from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Hawaii Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV, Code 340, ÒCover Green Manure CropÓ May 1992. Plant drawing reprinted from Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 2nd edition, published by USDAÕs SusAgriculture Network (SAN), original illustration by Marianne Sarrantonio and Elayne Sears. Logo drawing courtesy of Deitrich Va Sustainable Agriculture in Hawaii . . .health, economic profitability, and social and eco-nomic equity. Sustainable farms differ from con-ment practices such as crop diversification and croprotation, agroforestry, integrated pest management,egies. For further information on Sustainable Agri-Dr. Richard Bowen,.ctahr&#xhttp;&#x://w;&#xww74;&#x.900;.hawaii.edu/sustainag/ cover crops and green manures for your farm and crop-Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices lo-Visit CTAHRÕs Sustainable Agriculture for HawaiiProgram Website at .ctahr.hawaii.edu/manure and cover crops. The site also includes refer-and high humidity. ÔTropic LaloÕ is palatable and readilygrazed, but its slow regrowth makes it a poor pastureÔTropic LaloÕ can be damaged by the grass webworm,Terpetogramma licarsisalis (Walker)