Deep roots
Fibrous rooting helps explore the profile and create durable residue.
Ruziziensis
Urochloa ruziziensisA deep-rooted tropical grass that blends well with Crotalaria in temporary rotational cover-crop systems, adding biomass while helping improve soil conditions before the next crop.
Technical variety profile
The current technical file reports roots to 3 m, 12–20 t DM/ha/year, 10–14% crude protein and 55–60% digestibility.
Dry matter12–20 t/ha/year
Crude protein10–14%
Digestibility55–60%
Root depthUp to 3 m
Cover rate8–10 kg/ha
ICL mix rate4–6 kg/ha
Best fit
Where Ruziziensis belongs
Integrated crop–livestock rotationsDeep rooting and soil coverPasture, silage, hay and haylageOrchard alleys and selected nematode programs
#cover-crop#roots#pasture#nematodes#orchards
Why it performs
Three reasons to shortlist it
System flexibility
Can be managed as cover, pasture, silage, hay or haylage.
Rotation role
Established in crop rotations, with host status that varies by nematode species and cultivar.
Technical data
Comparable specifications
Dry matter12–20 t/ha/yearTechnical reference
Crude protein10–14%Technical reference
Digestibility55–60%Technical reference
Root depthUp to 3 mTechnical reference
Cover rate8–10 kg/haTechnical reference
ICL mix rate4–6 kg/haTechnical reference
Growth habitDecumbent tropical grassTechnical reference
Planting depth2–4 cmTechnical reference
Pasture rate8–10 kg/haTechnical reference
Orchard rate10 kg/haTechnical reference
PalatabilityVery highSource description
Primary product documents
Download the technical sheet
Choose the language for a concise guide to key benefits, establishment, management, specifications and limitations.
View guides and supporting researchEstablishment
Build the stand correctly
- 01Use 8–10 kg/ha for cover or pasture, 4–6 kg/ha in documented intercrop systems and 10 kg/ha in orchard lanes.
- 02Plant 2–4 cm deep into a prepared seedbed.
- 03Plan chemical or mechanical termination before planting the next crop.
Management
Turn potential into performance
- Adjust grazing and cutting to retain cover and root reserves.
- In row-crop rotations, coordinate termination, residue and planter setup.
- Use species-specific diagnosis for nematode recommendations.
Limitations & safety
Know where it does not fit
- Not suited to prolonged waterlogging, severe frost or arid sites without irrigation.
- Susceptible to spittlebug pressure.
- Host status varies by nematode species and cultivar; confirm the diagnosis and local evidence before using it in a rotation.
Technical resourcesTechnical guide · Current edition Peer-reviewed article · 2023 Peer-reviewed article · 2025 Peer-reviewed article · 2015 Conference research paper · 2009 Peer-reviewed article · 2024 Peer-reviewed article · 2017 Peer-reviewed article · 2014 Peer-reviewed article · 2020 View the complete Research Library
Guides and supporting research
Urochloa ruziziensis
CSIRO · ILRI · Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Open publicationResponse of plants used in cover crop mixes to Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. incognita and Pratylenchus brachyurus
São Paulo State University (UNESP) · Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical
Open publicationHost status of selected summer forage grasses to Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita
Embrapa Temperate Agriculture · Tropical Plant Pathology
Open publicationCrop rotation and crop sequences for management of the reniform nematode in soybean production
Embrapa Western Agriculture · Ciência Rural
Open publicationDesenvolvimento do sistema radicular de forrageiras e da soja em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária no arenito paranaense
Embrapa Soybean
Open publicationSubsurface Soil Compaction and its Effect on the Morphophysiological Characteristics of Maize Plants, Urochloa ruziziensis and Panicum maximum
University of Rio Verde · Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology
Open publicationSward structure and nutritive value of Urochloa ruziziensis under nitrogen and potassium fertilisation
Revista Caatinga
Open publicationPhytosociology of weeds in coexistence with cover crops
Federal University of Goiás · Revista Caatinga
Open publicationImplication of Urochloa spp. Intercropping and Conservation Agriculture on Soil Microbiological Quality and Yield of Tahiti Acid Lime in Long Term Orchard Experiment
Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) · Agriculture
Open publicationField fit matters
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