Alkali Sacaton (Sporobolus Airoides)

In areas characterized by salt, alkali, drought, and occasional cloudbursts, the occurrence and importance of this native grass is well known to ranchers and rangemen alike. It has a wide geographic range in the western United States. Alkali Sacaton is a medium height, long-lived grass growing in large course bunches. It is often found in almost pure stands in valleys and flood plains. On these sites, particularly where favored by a 1.2 to 2.4 m (4to 8 ft.) water table, or frequent flooding, alkali sacaton produces an abundance of forage. It is readily taken by cattle and horses during the growing season, but with maturity becomes coarse and tough, not curing out as highly palatable winter feed. It is not necessarily confined to bottom lands, but it is also found scattered or in small colonies over uplands at medium elevations, especially on fine textured soils of a calcareous gypsum nature.

The importance of this species in range seeding and the reclamation of disturbed sites on upland soils on alkaline bottom lands is well recognized. The seed averages about 1,355,000 seed units per .46kg (1lb) and is best planted through fine seed boxes so it can be metered out at a rate of 1.1 to 1.7kg PLS per hectare (1 to 1 1/2 lbs. PLS per acre). Depth of planting should not be over 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) in the fine-textured soils. Time of seeding will vary with the location but should be early enough in the summer that a period of warm soil temperatures will follow.