Bromegrass Bromus inermis Leyss Ag Education II
Bromegrass Varieties There are many types of bromegrasses. (Common bromegrass is not a variety but a bromegrass of uncertain makeup.) Lincoln Carlton Fox Rebound Smooth
Smooth Bromegrass A cool season, perennial, sod forming, smooth bladed grass, drought resistant on well drained spoils of silt/clay basis, and grows fairly tall when left alone. Life Cycle: Perennial- continues to grow repeatedly every year. Classification:Grass Sod forming- means to use it as a cover crop to help with erosion. Can be used on a terrace. Long leafed- pretty self explanatory.
Identification Tips Sheath: Round, open, longer than the internodes Blade: Rolled in bud shoot, flat, up to 1/8- inch wide, hairs protruding from bumps on margins Ligule: Small, membranous with short hairs on top
Some of Bromegrass’ Uses Road Banks for erosion control. Waterways Pasture for seed production Hay Silage
Adaptations Light to moderate rain fall Cool summer temperatures Fertile and well drained soils
Time and Rate of Sowing Date: Early Spring Method: Drill or Broadcast Depth: 1 - 1 1/2 inches With other crops (light seed problem) Good seed bed
Harvesting Hay Combining
Watering & Maintenance Watering- Drought resistant but responds well to irrigation for higher yields. Maintenance- Fertilization if needed and early mowing if weeds are a problem.
Establishment Early spring is the best time to establish the plantings especially when planted with legumes because they will not stand colder weather.
Fertilization This should be added in the beginning if planted on soil of low fertility or old stands, which may have depleted the ground. Fertilization rates vary also dependent upon the planting.
Seeds Color- Grayish-tan lemma and palea tightly adheres to brown to purple cary opsis. Shape- Flat and oblong with broadest area toward one end Pounds Per Bushel- 14 Seeds Per Pound- 138,000 Cost Per Pound- $0.80 Seeding Rate- 10-15 pounds plus per acre.
Pests and Weeds Grasshoppers Cansus bugs- destroy many developing seedheads Dandelion- Dry springs and droughty summers Foxtail barely Perennial Sowhistle- have also occurred in the Interior. Field scouting, hand clipping and/or spot spraying are used to control these noxious weeds. Brown Leaf Spots Scald