Management: Standard  Staple Crop: Balanced carb  Wild Staple Crop

In its natural habitat Urochloa mosambicensis occurs at elevations up to 1,600 metres in regions with a mean annual rainfall of 400 - 1,200mm, exceptionally to 1,600mm, and a dry season of 5 - 9 months[299 , 305 ]. Plants have tolerated light frosts, but are checked by anything more than this[375 ]. Prefers a sunny position, but tolerates light shade[415 ]. It will grow in a wide range of soils, from clay loams to sands, but appears to be more suitable for lighter soils with relatively high fertility[299 , 305 ]. It can tolerate both acid and alkaline soils[305 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[305 ]. Tolerates lower fertility than most sown grasses with some salinity tolerance. In northern Australia the plant has escaped from cultivation and becomes dominant after fires[299 , 305 ].However, the plant is considered to be too palatable and insufficiently aggressive to become a serious weed[415 ]. The seeds germinate early in the wet season and vegetative growth continues until soil water is exhausted. Flowering starts 3 - 4 weeks after the start of the rainy season and continues until growth ceases. Seed matures in 3 - 4 weeks[299 ]. Plants are often short-lived, dying after 3 - 4 years[299 ]. Urochloa mosambicensis is an obligate apomict[299 ]. The plant follows the C4 photosynthetic pathway[299 ]. To obtain the grain, the inflorescences are picked when still slightly green and spread out in the sun to dry. When dry, the grains are easily rubbed from the stalks[299 ]. Annual grain yields of 100 - 300 kilos per hectare have been recorded from Australia[299 ].

Carbon Farming

• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Staple Crop: Balanced carb  (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.
• Wild Staple Crop  Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.