 |
Bluestem, Yellow
Scientific Name: Bothriochloa ischaemum
Latin Name : Dicanthium sp.
Longevity : Perennial
Season : Texas (usually after wheat grazing).
Origin : Africa/Asia
Value : Wildlife - ...
Livestock -...
Remarks :
BACKGROUND
The term “Old World” bluestem refers to a complex of
imported warm season perennial grasses, which
originated in Africa, Southern Asia, and the Middle
East. Originally the Old World bluestems were
classified in the same genus as many of the native
bluestems, Andropogon. Today the Old World
bluestems are classified as either belonging to
Dichanthium spp. or Bothriochloa spp.
Some varieties of Bothriochloa spp. commercially
available include; Caucasian bluestem, B., caucasica;
Ganada bluestem, B., ischaemum var. ischaemum;
King Ranch bluestem, B. ischaemum var. songarica;
Plains bluestem, B., ischaemum var. ischaemum; WWSpar bluestem, B. ischaemum var. ischaemum; WW B.
Dahl, B.bladhii; and WW-Iron Master, B. ischaemum
var. ischaemum.
Some varieties of Dichanthium spp. commercially
available include; Angleton bluestem, D. aristatum;
Gordo bluestem, D. aristatum; Kleberg bluestem, D.
annulatum; Medio bluestem, D. aristatum; and Old
World T-587, Dichanthium spp. Bothriochloa spp.
blend.
Climate:
Many of the Old World bluestems are extensively
adapted throughout Texas, however it is generally said
that the Bothriochloa spp. are best adapted to the
northern half of Texas and Oklahoma, while the Dichanthium spp. are best adapted to Southern Texas
and parts of Mexico. Their rainfall requirements range
from 10-30 inches per year depending on the variety.
They all have fair to good drought tolerance.
Soils:
Old World bluestems grow best on finer textured soils
such as loams, clay loams, sandy clay loams, silt
loams, and clay. Most will grow on soils with a thin
sandy layer over fine textured subsoil. Some varieties
will grow adequately well on fertile sandy loams, but
they do not grow well on sandy soils.
Most varieties can withstand periodic wetness, but they
will not tolerate soils saturated for extended periods.
Their optimum pH range is similar to other grasses.
No varieties will tolerate extremely alkaline or
extremely saline soils, but all have fair salt tolerance
and some varieties can grow adequately up to pH 8.0.
Use:
All varieties produce good grazing and hay with proper
management. They respond well to nitrogen fertilizer
when soil moisture is adequate. All varieties can
tolerate occasional close grazing and once
established, they will persist on adapted sites with low
fertility. Old World bluestems will often produce better
than other forage grasses with low fertility. All varieties
tend to green up later than other warm season
grasses, so over seeding with small grains is a likely
option to provide early spring grazing.
Source: USDA-NRCS
|
