A tropical grass resource for pasture improvement and landscape management: Themeda triandra Forssk

Abstract

Themeda triandra Forssk. is one of the most widespread grasses in the dry to mesic prairie ecosystems of Africa, Asia and Australia. It is of particular interest due to its high value as a forage species for wildlife and livestock, and its potential use in landscaping practices. In this review we have collated information from the many studies that have been devoted to this species since the 1960s to provide information about the species' distribution, taxonomy, morphology, ploidy and reproduction, and to describe its vegetation and germination and their relationship with the most important ecological aspects of its preferred habitats. Agronomic aspects are considered in detail, with particular focus on the role of T. triandra as a forage species and the relative importance of grazing, fire and rainfall regimes for its management. We also explore how this species can help with the rehabilitation of degraded areas, soil and water conservation, countering exotic species invasion and landscaping in general. We conclude with a brief discussion of the as yet unresolved taxonomic relationship between the African species T. triandra and the Australian species Themeda australis.

Spatial, climate and ploidy factors drive genomic diversity and resilience in the widespread grass Themeda triandra

“…Themeda triandra , commonly known as Kangaroo Grass, is a perennial C4 tussock grass found across three continents (Australia, Asia and Africa) (Dell’Acqua, Gomarasca, Porro, & Bocchi, 2013; Linder, Lehmann, Archibald, Osborne, & Richardson, 2018; Snyman et al, 2013). Past studies suggest that T. triandra evolved in tropical Asia and migrated through coastal corridors to Australia (Hayman, 1960), with Australian lineages diverging 1.37 mya (0.79–3.07 mya) (Dunning et al., 2017).…”

Spatial, climate, and ploidy factors drive genomic diversity and resilience in the widespread grassThemeda triandra

“…Themeda triandra is a perennial C4 tussock grass, with ploidy variability, and occurs across three continents (Australia, Asia, and Africa) (Dell’Acqua et al , 2013; Snyman et al , 2013; Linder et al , 2018). It is Australia’s most widespread species, being adapted to habitats as diverse as the semi-arid interior and sub-alpine regions (Mitchell & Miller, 1990).…”

“…Themeda triandra is widely considered a foundation species for three reasons: 1) it defines particular ecosystems (Snyman et al , 2013), 2) it controls the distribution and abundance of associated flora and fauna (Morgan, 1998), and 3) it regulates the core ecosystem processes especially through fire (Morgan & Lunt, 1999). The species is also considered to be an indicator of (agro)ecosystem health (Novellie & Kraaij, 2010) and its long-term persistence provides ecosystem stability, ecosystem services, resistance to plant invasions, and facilitates rehabilitation of polluted and degraded habitat (Novellie & Kraaij, 2010; Dell’Acqua et al , 2013). Furthermore, its persistence is critical for the restoration of grasslands in Australia and is reliant on recurring fire to remove old tillers and for seedling establishment (McDougall 1989).…”