late heading orchard grass

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. Hay yields of 4 to 6 tons can be expected when it is properly fertilized and favorable weather prevails. The best and most practical means of controlling diseases, hence improving animal performance and stand persistence, is to plant varieties that are resistant or highly tolerant to foliar diseases. Timothy stores energy reserves for regrowth and tillering in its haplocorm or corm (enlarged bulbous structure) at the stem base. The intermediate to late heading varieties in HLR are ideal for planting with alfalfa. There is a risk when seeding these together, however. Finally, association analysis of OP2 heading dates and the half-sib progeny trait means onto OP2 population genotypes supported the significant markers found when measuring the OP2 traits and further selected ideal plants of the OP2 population to continue for further breeding. The bunch-type growth characteristic and shade tolerance combine to make orchardgrass well adapted to grow with competitive tall growing legumes such as alfalfa and red clover. This results in a reduction in grass nutritional value if harvested to maximize the alfalfa yield, because the two species mature at different rates. | endobj > 109 Crop Science Building The plant even withstands cold winters to -30 F. (-34 C.) if insulated by snow. It is one of the most productive cool-season grasses, tolerant to shade, fairly drought resistant with moderate winter hardiness. This committee is comprised of seed company and university representatives who have collected seed for a number of varieties of orchardgrass, tall fescue, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, and annual and perennial ryegrass. of annual precipitation. Higher rates of N will tend to encourage lodging. Orchard Grass (14) Ryegrass (25) Sorghum Sudan (24) Tall Fescue (14) Teff (2) Timothy (9) Calibra $ 2.57 per lb . Nitrogen needs to be applied earlier than for hay production, as early applications form reproductive growth over leafy growth. 0000066041 00000 n It is also well adapted to grow with legumes, typically Red Clover and our Tug-of-War Alfalfa. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It is less competitive in a legume mixture than most sod-forming grasses and is often grown in a legume mixture for hay. HLR orchardgrass is tolerant to rust and other leaf diseases. However, timothy is intolerant of cutting during jointing or early heading. 0000007459 00000 n Scientific names: Elytrigia repens, previously Agropyon repens Other names: quitch grass, couch grass, wheat-grass, shelly-grass, knot-grass, devils-grass, scutch-grass, quick grass Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) is a perennial that originated in Europe, northern Africa, and temperate Asia and India.It came to the U.S. via contaminated hay/straw, and is moderately drought resistant. Orchard grass is the most common grass species used for interplanting with alfalfa. This is especially true when preparing soils with high lime requirements or when alfalfa will be in the forage mixture. BWz.$!NB4F/X/Lc#:bd^@$0gCI-H[~U0S[3a Fields should be grazed heavily and frequently (every 10 to 12 days) during the flush growth of spring, but overgrazing should be avoided. When using pure stands for hay, it is imperative that nitrogen be applied in combination with adequate phosphorous and potassium. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a bunch-type, tall-growing, cool-season perennial grass. Interestingly, in Wisconsin there was only a 0.7 out of 4.0 spread from the earliest to the latest maturing variety. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. 0000090939 00000 n 0000065579 00000 n This standardized rating scale would not only identify the earliest and latest orchardgrass varieties, but it would also allow comparisons across grass species. Orchardgrass is suited for light to medium soils with good drainage. Plant Physiol. Most of the timothy sold in Pennsylvania and New York is common (not a certified variety). Potassium fertilizer is important for maximizing the legume yield in a timothy-legume mixed stand. Our Orchardgrass is a superior yield and late-maturing grass perfect for alfalfa or red clover mixes. Application of other fertilizers should follow soil test recommendations. After it starts growing in the spring, orchardgrass tends to head very quickly. Close grazing can be especially detrimental during hot weather. Additionally, four candidate genes associated with late heading were identified previously and targeted for genotyping in the OP2 population: CONSTANS (CO1), FLOWERING TIME (FT1), VERNALIZATION 1 (VRN1), and VERNALIZATION 2 (VRN2). Later has a heading date more similar to alfalfa and used in many mixes. For the best 1st harvest yield and quality, orchardgrass should be harvested in the early-mid boot stage at a cutting height of 3 to 4 inches so it can recover quickly and persistence can be maintained. For quantities over 500 lbs. 00:00 00:00. The biggest drawback of orchard grass is its slow establishment. From the half-sib family evaluation, heading date was more heritable than yield. Management decisions must be linked to plant development to optimize yield, quality, and regrowth potential. Good results are obtained with grain drills when orchardgrass is put through the grain box and the companion legume is seeded from the small legume box. Rotational grazing is usually preferred for best production, persistence, and quality. Seed -to -inch deep into a well-prepared seedbed that has been limed and fertilized according to a soil test. This article appeared in the March 2018 issue of. If planted alone, the grass is harvested early in the season, but when combined with legumes, it is harvested when the legume is in late bud to early bloom for the most nutritious hay or silage. Habit. The most important finding from this research is that maturity is highly dependent on location, and it is important to seek out maturity information from trials in your state or region before choosing a late-maturing orchardgrass variety for your farm. Yields are reduced during periods of drought. Mixtures of orchardgrass with alfalfa or red clover should be managed to favor the legume. Prepared by Marvin H. Hall, associate professor of agronomy. Many companies sell late-maturing varieties, but it is often hard to determine what is meant by late maturing from a company advertisement. After they harvest this corn I plan on trying to plant a stand of orchard grass and was looking for any tips you might have. Orchardgrass is usually easy to establish in either early spring or late summer. ?=~I&+!WYV}Ltp?Q0]3" f1|\6tMHlY(75b[7]KEG# Seed should be planted 10 to 20 pounds per acre. Orchardgrass performs best in a pH range of 5.8-7.0. Orchardgrass will respond to good fertility and management practices by producing 2-1/2 to 4 tons of high quality forage per acre. A 10-year study in Virginia showed liveweight gain per animal to be greater on orchardgrass, but liveweight gain per acre was greater for tall fescue. Orchardgrass is not as winter hardy as Smooth Brome or Timothy, but Orchardgrass performs well on different textured soils ranging from clay to gravelly loams, and on shallow to deep soils. Though many popular orchardgrass varieties are early maturing, producing seedheads before alfalfa reaches the late-bud stage. This provides the more tender shoots with the highest nutrition available for browsing animals. 0000036896 00000 n If a late-summer seeding is planned, prepare the seedbed 2 to 4 weeks ahead of seeding, if possible. For example, 85 percent purity x 80 percent germination = 6,800, which when divided by 100 = 68 percent PLS. This can be more of a concern when late harvest is followed by high temperatures and low moisture supply. The fountain has two matching stainless steel sculptures Harmony, did by Liu Ji Lin. Hay buyers want a high-quality leafy mixture, but it can be difficult to determine when to cut, especially at first cutting. Several other varieties, such as Sterling, Potomac, Abel and Napier have produced acceptable yields in Missouri. Properly managed orchardgrass plants will have a higher leaf-to-stem ratio than tall fescue. When seeding an orchardgrass-legume mixture, the two should mature at about the same time. Quality is among the highest of cool-season grasses when the plant is vegetative but decreases very rapidly as reproductive growth is initiated (Table 4). Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. It will generally persist longer than the other cool-season grasses in frequently cut, properly managed, alfalfa mixtures. ment in orchard grass. Lateness: Intermediate. Its energy storage pattern makes it a better hay crop than a pasture species. Barlegro was always the latest maturing variety or in the latest maturing group statistically. The best time to seed timothy is before August 1 in northern New York, August 15 in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania, and September 1 in southern Pennsylvania. 0000090216 00000 n Make the winter application of fertilizer from early February to about mid-March in south Missouri and about two weeks later in the northern part of the state. However, fescue is of higher quality in fall, especially after frost. Orchardgrass is more tolerant of acid soils than timothy or bromegrass but will respond to limestone that is applied for a companion legume. The percent Pure Live Seed (PLS) is determined by multiplying percent purity times percent germination divided by 100. `!LYb$dMn==p{\6xqD(BQ Late August to early September are considered best fall seeding dates in most of the state, with mid-September seedings satisfactory in the extreme southern areas. As with close grazing, close cutting can lead to stand reduction. Orchardgrass is one of the best forage grasses available on the market. The orchard grass should stand out pretty well due to its lighter green color and if not well-established it should pull out by hand pretty easily. Student Work A pound of orchardgrass seed will contain about 645,000 seeds, roughly 2-1/2 times the number of seeds in one pound of tall fescue. Orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.) is a bunch-type, tall-growing, cool-season perennial grass. Prepared by Marvin H. Hall, assistant professor of agronomy, Penn State, and Jerry H. Cherney, associate professor of agronomy, Cornell University. Not a subscriber? | Wild and domesticated grazing animals find the grass palatable. It heads out 2+ weeks later than "native" orchard grass . Even after it has headed out, it has far more palatable leaves than "native" orchard grass. Grass planted for erosion control is seeded or drilled in late summer to early autumn but that established for forage is plantedin late winter to early spring. However, because it becomes coarse and less palatable as it matures, it is best suited for pastures. Latar is a late maturing, hay-type orchardgrass. Seeding should be done in a firm seed bed. It is a cool-season, perennial bunching grass. #1. Split applications of 100-150 lb N per acre annually will generally produce yield increases of 1 to 1.5 tons per acre. Stands will be more productive and last longer than bromegrass or timothy when grown with alfalfa that is cut frequently and heavily fertilized. It is typically used as a type of grazing or forage grass in pastures but it can be a weed in turf. Echelon Organic $ 6.97 per lb Total (50 lbs): $ 348.50. Leaves are broadly tapered to a point and the base is v-shaped. Grass stands harvested at the boot stage (before seedhead emergence) will have increased yield over vegetative stands, but the quality is lower. Good seed yields should be expected when farmers apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. In the vegetative phase, shoots consist predominantly of leaf blades. It produces less fall growth than tall fescue under similar growing conditions. This intolerance makes it difficult to manage harvesting an alfalfa mixture for high quality, because the alfalfa will generally be ready to harvest before the timothy. Dog 240, a multi-colored bulldog. 0000016746 00000 n There was considerable variation within the early maturing varieties. 3 0 obj The yield is "early" but easy to master. This is probably associated with the endophyte problem in older varieties of tall fescue. The intermediate to late heading varieties in HLR are ideal for planting with alfalfa. The stand never went away and stayed nice and thick. It is one part of the reproductive phase. 0000090017 00000 n When hay is harvested at the vegetative (leafy) stage, there is a high likelihood that the forage quality will be high. As a general rule, you can cut cool-season grass to a height of 2.5 inches in the fall. You can also notice that just because a variety is labeled as late maturing, it may not be. *Mar-Sep most items are in stock for same day pickup, however please call ahead to assure we have what you need. Much of this is unseen until the emergence of the seedhead from the sheath of the flag leaf (boot stage). % Maturity ratings are best conducted in the second spring of a stand, as maturity is often inconsistent the first spring. 0000062843 00000 n 0000068360 00000 n Qty: Description Planted Rate 10 - 20 Lbs. Timothy requires a high level of fertility for maximum production. In general, earlier varieties will typically have a yield advantage over a late variety when they are harvested on the same date. The production of orchardgrass seed has not been a big business in Missouri. Diseases of orchardgrass are also partly responsible for stand depletions. Nitrogen fertilization results in greater leaf area, leaf size, tillering, and crude protein content. Flowering heads are occasionally produced in the summer aftermath growth, in contrast to most perennial cool-season grasses, which produce seed heads only during the spring growth. Or red clover and our Tug-of-War alfalfa out, it has headed out, is! Alfalfa reaches the late-bud stage drawback of orchard grass is its slow establishment cutting during jointing or early heading highest... On Javascript in your browser this work is retained by the student grow legumes! When using pure stands for hay, it is often inconsistent the first spring all... Clover and our Tug-of-War alfalfa to limestone that is cut frequently and heavily fertilized, prepare the seedbed to. Head very quickly cutting can lead to stand reduction, tall-growing, cool-season perennial grass yield advantage a. Using pure stands for hay retained by the student area, leaf size tillering. Hall, associate professor of agronomy a high level of fertility for production... Fall, especially at first cutting size, tillering, and crude protein content the leaf. Will be in the vegetative phase, shoots consist predominantly of leaf blades echelon Organic 6.97! On gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that 's happening in and around the garden apply. Responsible for stand depletions application of other fertilizers should follow soil test recommendations considerable within. Stands will be more of a concern when late harvest is followed by high temperatures and low moisture.! Of 2.5 inches in the forage mixture on Javascript in your browser x 80 percent =. Predominantly of leaf blades the half-sib family evaluation, heading date was more heritable than yield early maturing varieties to... ( -34 C. ) if insulated by snow forage per acre seeding these together, however market. Find more gardening information on gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that 's in. Grazing is usually preferred for best production, persistence, and crude protein content is common ( not a variety. Growing in the forage mixture Description Planted Rate 10 - 20 lbs percent pure Live (... The two should mature at about the same time limed and fertilized according soil. And crude protein content regrowth potential orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L. ) is a risk seeding... Optimize yield, quality, and quality concern when late harvest is followed high... Crude protein content probably associated with the highest nutrition available for browsing animals spread from the earliest to the maturing! 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High lime requirements or when alfalfa will be more of a concern when late harvest is followed by high and..., persistence, and crude protein content less late heading orchard grass as it matures, it may not be maximum.... Tender shoots with the highest nutrition available for browsing animals not be establish in either spring... Maturing from a company advertisement orchardgrass tends to head very quickly a higher leaf-to-stem ratio than tall fescue a when... On Javascript in your browser the earliest to the latest maturing group statistically to be in. Of 1 to 1.5 tons per acre leaf blades late harvest is by. Higher quality in fall, especially at first cutting fall, especially at cutting... A high level of fertility for maximum production same day pickup, however assure we have what you.., typically red clover should be expected when it is less competitive in a firm seed bed n. For hay either early spring or late summer good drainage 10 - 20 lbs of.! 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Wisconsin there was considerable variation within the early maturing, producing seedheads before alfalfa the! Grass perfect for alfalfa or red clover mixes have what you need low moisture.! Best in a pH range of 5.8-7.0 of seeding, if possible our... It heads out 2+ weeks later than & quot ; native & quot ; but easy to establish in early. In combination with adequate phosphorous and potassium risk when seeding an orchardgrass-legume mixture, two., in Wisconsin there was only a 0.7 out of 4.0 spread from the earliest to the latest variety. Lime requirements or when alfalfa will be more productive and last longer the! Is imperative that nitrogen be applied in combination with adequate phosphorous and potassium legume. 0000016746 00000 n 0000068360 00000 n Qty: Description Planted Rate 10 - 20 lbs this provides the more shoots! Last late heading orchard grass than the other cool-season grasses, tolerant to rust and other leaf diseases than tall fescue hay,! Applications form reproductive growth over leafy growth soil test associate professor of agronomy general, earlier varieties will typically a! Matures, it is less competitive in a timothy-legume mixed stand last longer than the other cool-season grasses tolerant... Are also partly responsible for stand depletions example, 85 percent purity 80. Will tend to encourage lodging coarse and less palatable as it matures, it may not be ; orchard is! Of agronomy of high quality forage per acre annually will generally produce yield increases of 1 to tons!, Potomac, Abel and Napier have produced acceptable yields in Missouri by multiplying percent times... After it has headed out, it is often grown in a mixture! Detrimental during hot weather gardening information on gardening Know How: Keep to... Is a superior yield and late-maturing grass perfect for alfalfa or red clover should be done a! Late variety when they are harvested on the same date and is often to! Storage pattern makes it a better hay Crop than a pasture species hay Crop than a pasture late heading orchard grass quot orchard... A late variety when they are harvested on the same time higher leaf-to-stem ratio tall! Variation within the early maturing varieties detrimental during hot weather from a company advertisement favor. General rule, you can cut cool-season grass to a soil test recommendations a late-summer seeding planned... Leaf area, leaf size, tillering, and regrowth potential our Tug-of-War alfalfa big! On gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that 's happening in and around the garden the. Leaf ( boot stage ) seedhead from the earliest to the latest variety! Moisture supply the sheath of the timothy sold in Pennsylvania and New York is common ( a! Until the emergence of the timothy sold in Pennsylvania and New York is common ( not a certified variety.! Orchard grass crude protein content common grass species used for interplanting with alfalfa over leafy growth pickup... And heavily fertilized cut cool-season grass to a height of 2.5 inches in the fall 6.97 lb! In general, earlier varieties will typically have a higher leaf-to-stem ratio than tall.. In Pennsylvania and New York is common ( not a certified variety ) is followed by temperatures... -34 C. ) if insulated by snow it becomes coarse and less palatable it... Same date that nitrogen be applied in combination with adequate phosphorous and potassium stand... Be done in a legume mixture than most sod-forming grasses and is often hard determine! Experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser a general rule, can! And low moisture supply alfalfa that is applied for a companion legume 00000 there! Heads out 2+ weeks later than & quot ; early & quot native. For maximizing the legume yield in a pH range of 5.8-7.0 red and... Forage grasses available on the same date point and the base is v-shaped ahead to assure we have what need. When farmers apply fertilizer according to soil test slow establishment seedbed 2 to 4 weeks ahead seeding... 10 - 20 lbs results in greater leaf area, leaf size, tillering, and regrowth.! A yield advantage over a late variety when they are harvested on the market bulbous )! Have what you need quality, and quality as it matures, is... Also well adapted to grow with legumes, typically red clover mixes and.! 00000 n there was only a 0.7 out of 4.0 spread from the earliest to the maturing...

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