Certified Tifton 9 Bahia Grass Seed

Description

Size:40 lbs. Tifton 9 Bahia Grass forms firm and rapid pasture, which is acclaimed for use with horses and other animals. It has proven in tests to produce between 30 to 40 percent more forage per year. Tifton 9 Bahia Grass is considered a very durable pasture grass for horses. Tifton 9 Bahia grows faster than regular Pensacola Bahia Grass, provides more drought tolerance, and better frost resistance. Tifton 9 is an improved Pensacola Bahiagrass variety that was bred and developed by Dr. Glen Burton (Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A.) and the Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station. Tifton 9, as well as other Pensacola types, have more frost and cold tolerance than Argentine or Paraguay 22. Thus, it may produce more growth at the beginning and end of the growing season. Besides producing more forage, Tifton 9 is much more vigorous in the seedling stage, has longer leaves, and is equal to Pensacola in digestibility. The increased seedling vigor should provide for more rapid stand establishment, and increased ability to compete with weeds. Grazing information is somewhat limited, but in one study steers made good weight gains on Tifton 9. This indicates that it is palatable and acceptable to cattle. Some improved forage varieties lose vigor with advancing generations. Tifton 9 was bred to continue its improved characteristics through advanced generations. If seeds are harvested from non-certified fields where Tifton 9 has been allowed to crossbreed with old-type Pensacola plants, improvements may diminish. Therefore, use of certified seed of Tifton 9 will ensure that the grower is getting maximum use of the improvements. Tifton 9 should be adapted to, and can grow in, the same geographic areas and on the same soil types where Pensacola Bahiagrass is now grown. Sow this seed at a rate of 20 - 40 lbs per acre