Scientific name: | Sorghastrum nutans |
Cultivars: | Holt, Llano, Lometa, Osage, Oto, Rumsey, Tomahawk, Cheyenne |
Origin: | Mexico |
Growth Habit: | Bunch type |
Life Cycle: | Perennial |
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Use |
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Production: | Can be used alone or in mixtures for rangeland, pasture and hay. |
Nutritive Value: | Good protein and Vitamin A. CP decreases as plants mature. |
Herbaria Image: | Click this link |
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Identification |
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Seed Head: | Golden brown color; singular, narrow panicle |
Seed: | Light, fluffy seed with awns.
Yellow flowers |
Shoot: | 3-8' tall |
Leaf: | Alternate arrangement, blue-green color, narrows at attachment point, |
Auricles: | Elongated, pointed auricles |
Ligule: | Membranous ligule |
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Adaptation |
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Soil: | Sandy soils, and loam, loamy and clay soils |
pH: | 5.4-6.2 |
Moisture: | Gross best in deep, well drained soils. Tolerant of dry soils, high or low pH and of most textures. |
Temperature: | Adapted to climates from as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, and as far north as Canada. Requires soil temperature of 50 °F for germination. |
Other: | |
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Establishment - Management |
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Seeding rate: | 6-8lb/acre PLS if drilled, 12-15 if broadcast
It is recommended to roll over Indiangrass seed to ensure seed to soil contact. |
Seed cost: | |
Planting date: | Early May to late June |
Planting depth: | 1/2-3/4". Should be packed before seeding. |
Frost seeding: | |
Fertilization: | Requires moderate amounts of P and K. N is not recommended until after establishment and there is little to no weed competition. Application of fertilizers may begin late in the first summer or early in the second summer of the stand. |
Grazing: | Graze when grass is is 12-16" tall. Should not be grazed below 6-8" Can be grazed until seed head emergence. |
Hay: | 6" stubble should be left to ensure winter survival and high production in the spring. |
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Notes |
Important to tallgrass prairie structure. Spring burning has been shown to increase digestibility. |