Cynodon dactylon
Green couch
Plateau (formerly protected by Australian Plant Breeder's Rights; yet protected by US Plant Patent).
The medium-textured turfgrass forms a dense short turfgrass sward. The turf plant which has a prostrage growth habit, has dark green leaves, with a flat presentation. The variety has a strong underground rhizome system and a medium rate of seedhead production. Domestic, commercial lawns and "low maintenance" grass tennis courts. It was thought that given the varieties low prostrate growing habit, Plateau would be suitable for nature strips and roadside verges that would inturn require less mowing. The turfgrass did not grow high, however the unsightly seedheads grew too low and prostrate for mowing with councils large tractor or front deck mowers.
Plateau performs well in shade, and handles tropical cloud cover, verses other green couch turfgrass varieties. Prefers loamy soils. Preferred mowing height is 8 to 12 mm in summer and 14 to 18 mm in winter. Lower mowing heights help to prevent excessive thatch build up. Maintain the same mowing height in both sun and shade. For highly managed surfaces, e.g. grass tennis court, 2 to 3 mm is acheivable. Very susceptible to couch smut caused by Ustilago cynodontis.
Pests, disease and weeds
Check to see which Pests, Diseases and or Weeds this turf variety may be susceptible to and how to successfully control them in your home lawn or sports turf.