Ground Cover Links & Resources

Grower Group Alliance South- West Drought Resilience Hub

The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) is harnessing the power of collaboration to enhance drought resilient practices and accelerate innovation and adoption. Offers dry season resources for growers, grower groups, and the broader agricultural community. This information will aid in their decision making to help manage those that are experiencing a dry season.

Summer-active perennials provide forage for livestock over summer and autumn when other pastures are of low quality.

Kikuyu has a deep root system (2–3 m), is an efficient water-user and can dry out soils. It will tolerate waterlogging and is relatively drought tolerant. The growth habit of kikuyu helps protect the soil surface from erosion and stabilise soils that are likely to erode. Its creeping habit also displaces broadleaved weeds.

Spring sowing is best for kikuyu. The optimum temperature for germination is 19–29°C but about 50% of seed will germinate at 14°C. Autumn sowings normally fail due to poor germination, or seedlings dying in winter due to cold temperatures or being
unable to compete with fast growing annual species.

► This fact sheet provides information on establishment, management and use of kikuyu in the temperate zone of southern Australia under rain fed conditions.

Deep rooted crops can alleviate the effects of soil compaction by penetrating the compacted layer, creating pore space that allows air, water, and crop roots to penetrate deeper in the soil profile. In compacted or clay soils, spreading roots break up soil and create pathways through which water can seep deep within the subsoil.