Noonan

Pennisetum clandestinum

Scientific name

Pennisetum clandestinum


Common name

Kikuyu


Other names (PBR name, trademark, breeder code)

Has been called Dwarf kikuyu. However, Noonan is shorter in comparison to the even older varieties 'Whittet' and 'Breakwall'.


Description

Noonan, which was released in the 1980s, was selected for its high field tolerance to the disease "kikuyu yellows". Noonan has male and female flower parts. The male flowers are very distinctive and problematic (seeding) in comparison to newer male sterile varieties of kikuyu being sold today.


Other comments

Similar to Whittet. Mature swards of the two cultivars cannot be satisfactorily distinguished from each other by morphological features. However, differences can be recognised between 3-4 month-old single plants grown under glasshouse conditions. For example, in one study, Noonan plants were 25% shorter, had 20% more tillers, 40% more leaves and 48% more stolons than Whittet plants. The leaves and stolons of Noonan were 25% and 35% shorter respectively than those of Whittet. Noonan is more uniform than Whittet and is broadly intermediate in appearance to Whittet and Breakwell. All Noonan plants are male and female fertile. Source: Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. et Chiov. (Kikuyu grass) cv. Noonan, Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 49(4): 238-9. 1983.

Pests, disease and weeds
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Available in Sod/turf and seed
Use Residential
Suitable climate classification Subtropical and Temperate
Preferred mowing height 30mm - 50mm
Shade tolerance Moderate
Wear tolerance Moderate
Cold tolerance Good
Heat tolerance Moderate
Salinity tolerance Poor
Water requirement Moderate
Fertiliser requirement Moderate
Mowing frequency Moderate
Thatch production Moderate
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