Bahiagrass is the most widely-grown forage crop in Alabama, with acreage within the state estimated at more than one million. Attributes include wide adaptation (especially in the Coastal Plain), relative ease of establishment, and tolerance of close grazing. While bahiagrass responds well to fertilization, it can tolerate low levels of soil fertility better than bermudagrass, its primary competitor in Alabama. Like other warm season perennial grasses, the grazing season of bahiagrass can be extended by overseeding winter annuals.

In less than one hundred years we have gone from having no bahiagrass in the United States to having many millions of acres in the Deep South, primarily in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. For many years, virtually the only bahiagrass variety option was 'Pensacola.' However, as a result of plant breeding efforts in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, there are now several varieties from which livestock producers can choose.

Pensacola- This variety resulted from a County Extension Agent named E.H. Finlayson noticing plants growing along the streets of Pensacola, Florida in the late 1930's. Speculation was that these plants, which were growing near the docks, resulted from seed that had been brought in on ships that had arrived at that port. The University of Florida released it as a variety, and because it was quickly found to be hardy and persistent, it was widely planted in the Deep South and still occupies far more acreage than any other variety.

Argentine- Introduced into Florida in 1944, Argentine has wider leaves than Pensacola and is less winter-hardy, typically only being planted in about the southern one-third of our state. In Alabama the yield of Argentine tends to be more erratic than Pensacola, especially on dry soils or when there is unseasonably cool weather in early spring or late autumn. Also, seed heads of Argentine can be infected with ergot, a disease to which Pensacola is resistant. Argentine seems to perform best when planted on moist sites.

Tifton 9- In 1987 this variety was released from the long-term bahiagrass breeding program at the Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia. Tifton 9 actually represents a narrowing of the genetic base of Pensacola. As compared to Pensacola, in most trials it has produced at least 10 percent higher dry matter yields and has better seedling vigor. The growth of Tifton 9 is more upright than Pensacola, and sods are less dense.

AU Sand Mountain- Survivors from a planting of Pensacola bahiagrass made in the 1960's at the Sand Mountain Substation near Crossville were used to develop this recent Auburn University release. In evaluations in several states, AU Sand Mountain has been more winter hardy than Pensacola and Tifton 9. Thus, this variety extends the northern limit for growing bahiagrass, probably at least to Central Tennessee and areas with similar climates. Also, it has out-yielded Pensacola and Argentine in climates such as Central and Northern Alabama.

UF Riata- This University of Florida variety has a different photoperiod response than other varieties, which results in it having a longer growing season. In Florida it has stayed green much of the year and has generally out-yielded other bahiagrass varieties to which it has been compared. In Tifton, Georgia it yielded similarly to Tifton 9.

TifQuik- Like Tifton 9, this variety was developed at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station at Tifton, Georgia. Selection for more rapid establishment was the primary focus of the breeding effort that resulted in development of this variety. Yield-wise, TifQuik has performed similarly to Tifton 9. This variety may be a particularly good one to use when bahiagrass is being grown in rotation with row crops.

Seed Sources

AU Sand Mountain- Contact Dr. Jim Bostick, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Crop Improvement Association (334) 693-3988.

UF Riata- Ragan & Massey Seed Company, Ponchatoula, LA (985) 386-5565

TifQuik- Contact Blake Fleeman, Georgia Seed Development Commission (706) 227-7159

NOTE: Due to the tendency of horses to "spot graze," the less upright growth of Pensacola, Argentine, and AU Sand Mountain make them better choices for horse pastures than the other varieties mentioned. Also, since seed of all bahiagrass varieties looks the same, to ensure getting the variety desired it is important to purchase seed from a reputable seed dealer.