Soil pH Effects on the Shoot and Root Yield of Crabgrass

Recent research indicates that crabgrass (Digitaria species) could provide high-quality summer forage for ruminant livestock in the mid-Atlantic region. Limited data are available documenting the soil pH requirements of crabgrass grown as forage. A greenhouse study was designed to determine the effect of soil pH value on the germination and yield of crabgrass. Treatments consisted of three pH levels: 4.8, 5.5, and 6.3. Pots 8 inches across and 8.5 inches deep containing 10 lb of air-dried soil were seeded at a density of 25 seeds per pot and thinned to 14 plants per pot after germination was complete. Two harvests three to four weeks apart were taken. Within the range of 4.8 to 6.3, soil pH had no effect on crabgrass germination, shoot yields, or root mass in either harvest. These data indicate that crabgrass has potential to produce summer forage on acidic soils commonly found within the southeastern United States.