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At the end of 2001, the AZ-1 cultivar of Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov. (kikuyugrass) was incorporated into the Argentinean market to be used in sports fields or for ornamental purposes. In order to characterize such commercial variety in the geographic department of Paraná (Entre Ríos, Argentina), its behavior and aptitude were assessed as ornamental grass and/or sports grass both under high quality grass maintenance conditions and under two drainage conditions. Cover, colour, texture, internodes distance, stolon thickness, and dormancy period were evaluated. The trial was carried out in Oro Verde, department of Paraná in the province of Entre Ríos in a Molisol soil and it consisted of two treatments: with and without drainage and each treatment being repeated four times. The plot size was 2.5 x 5.0 m. The experimental design used was the paired -- plot design and measurements were taken from June to November 2005. The area weather conditions are the following: average annual temperature of 18.1°C and an isohydro regimen of 947.6 mm of annual rainfall. The cultivar behaved as suitable for grass under the evaluated management conditions and characteristics, not showing differences as regards the treatments with or without drainage. It presented quick implantation, high cover levels, light and uniform colour, medium texture and thick stolons through time. In winter, cover and colour kept invariable. It was characterized as a grass not suitable for sports fields with high requirements, but advisable for low budget and maintenance condition clubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]