What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to systematically review buffelgrass dynamics, focusing on global management and arid regions in Mexico.

May 20, 2026Grasses0 citationsOpen Access

Global Perspective and the Current Characterization of Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link) with Emphasis on Arid Mexican Territories

LBLuis Ángel Barrera-GuzmánFederal Government of Mexico HMHéctor Tecumshé Mójica-ZárateFederal Government of Mexico JCJorge Cadena-IñiguezAutonomous University of San Luis Potosí

Key Points

The study aims to systematically review buffelgrass dynamics, focusing on global management and arid regions in Mexico.
Reviewed information from 59 articles on buffelgrass dynamics in arid regions.
Analyzed aspects such as invasion, forage potential, and sustainability.
Focused on methodologies and geographical limits of aridity, citing sources from Web of Science.
Buffelgrass can achieve biomass production levels of up to 18.4 t ha−1 with 500 mm of annual irrigation.
Its adaptability and forage potential are highlighted, but it poses ecological risks to local environments.
The use of adjuvants and combining with other grasses can enhance its agricultural performance.

Abstract

Characterized as one of the most controversial and widely used grasses in various regions, buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link) is considered a significant and problematic invasive exotic species and an adaptable and resilient forage source with relatively high biomass production and resistance to harsh agroecological conditions. Objective: The objective of this documentary research is to present a systematic review of buffelgrass dynamics, focusing on its global management and specifically on the arid regions of Mexico, particularly Sonora. This review highlights its forage potential, invasive capacity, adaptability, and the different scales of its multifactorial relationship within the productive-environmental sphere. Methods: Information on buffelgrass in various regions of the world, with an emphasis on arid regions, was reviewed and summarized. This information was gathered from a selection of 59 articles, considering common aspects such as appropriate methodologies, location within the geographical limits of aridity, and originating from Web of Science repositories. The search criteria included “Pennisetum ciliare and Cenchrus ciliaris”, “invasion”, “livestock”, “forage”, “sustainability”, and “restoration”, among other key concepts, with a timeframe limited to the year 2026. This allowed for the definition of thematic axes for the descriptions presented. Main results: The results highlight various treatments in agriculture and livestock farming, its use in combination with other grasses, and the implementation of adjuvants, which improves its performance. In this regard, its use as a substitute for primary forage with 500 mm of annual irrigation is emphasized, achieving biomass production levels of up to 18.4 t ha−1. Conclusions: Buffelgrass in vulnerable arid territories, such as Sonora, Mexico, could improve soil cover, nutrient content, and biological presence; however, in a state of equilibrium, it can cause alterations that are difficult to reverse and that compromise local ecology and water resources.

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