Agroforestry systems
Giant star grass is used in Central and South America (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina) in silvopastoral systems where it is intercropped with Leucaena leucocephala (Nahed-Toral et al., 2010; Goldfarb et al., 1995; Mahecha et al., 2000). It is less suitable than Brachiaria brizantha in such systems (Ramos-Quirarte et al., 2009).
Tolerance to saline soils
Giant star grass was found to be more tolerant to saline conditions than king grass (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum glaucum hybrid), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and golden millet (Setaria sphacelata) (Purbajanti et al., 2010).
Erosion control
Giant star grass can be sown to protect soils against superficial erosion (Geissen et al., 2007). In Australia (Darling Downs, Queensland), it has been recommended in black clay soils and on the sandy soils of the coast (Skerman et al., 1990). In Mexico (Tabasco), giant star grass prevented superficial erosion though it was inefficient against sinkhole formation, because it could not alter groundwater properties as reforestation does (Geissen et al., 2007).