and fire, but not to water logging or severe drought. It
produces high yields of palatable fodder and responds
well to manuring, but rapidly declines in nutritive value
with age. It dies if continually grazed close to the ground
and needs rest late in the growing season. (FAO, 2003).
Panicum maximum is indigenous to the subtropical
areas of southern Africa where it occurs mainly in the
sub habitat under trees (Pieterse et al., 1997).
Association with trees occurs because seedlings of P.
maximum are better adapted to under tree sub habitat
than those of heteropogon contortus and hyparrhenia
filipendula, which usually occupy the same veld type as
P. maximum. Bosch and Van Wyk, 1970 believed the
association was more related to improved soil fertility in
the sub habitat. The high N concentration, often found in
the soil under leguminous trees, may be the most
important factor determining the presence of P.
maximum in the sub habitat. P. maximum is often
considered as one of the best species for beef
production in the republic of South Africa (Pieterse et al.,
1997).