 | Tall Fescue |
| Perennial Ryegrass |
| Annual Ryegrass |
| Smooth Brome |
| Orchardgrass |
| Timothy Grass |
| Red Top Grass |
| Reed's Canarygrass |
| Bermudagrass |
| Rescue Grass |
As a group, the introduced grasses are some of the most important forage and turf grasses in Kansas. These grasses introduced from around the world, through passage of time and breeding efforts, have become naturalized to those sections of the country to which they are adapted. Kansas, due to its geography, is often referred to as a transition state. Many grasses have a limited adaptation to Kansas. However, relatively few perform well over a wide area of the state. The introduced grasses include both warm and cool-season grasses. One of the most important differences between warm and cool-season grasses is the way in which they conduct photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. This process can be credited for all life on earth. The atmosphere contains very little carbon dioxide (0.03%), the success of a plant is dependent upon its ability to collect and use carbon dioxide. The warm-season grasses have what is referred to as a C4 photosynthetic process, while the cool-season grasses adapted to Kansas use a C3 photosynthesis system.
C4 (warm-season) plants are more efficient in gathering carbon dioxide than are the C3 (cool-season) plants when both are growing at optimum temperature. The optimum temperature for growth of cool-season grasses is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit while it is 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit for warm-season grasses. Warm-season grasses are also more efficient in water use than the cool-season grasses. These differences explain why warm-season grasses are more productive in the hot/dry summer months while cool-season grasses are most productive during the cool and moist, spring and fall months.
In Kansas, the cool-season introduced grasses are utilized to a much greater extent than are the warm-season. Perhaps the best suited of the cool-season grasses are smooth bromegrass and tall fescue. Other cool-season grasses with more limited adaptation include; orchardgrass, reed canarygrass, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, and the ryegrasses.
As a group these cool-season introduced grasses are highly responsive to fertilization and proper management. It is important to understand the growth and quality characteristics of these grasses in order to design the proper forage program for a particular ranch operation. For example, if fall pasture is needed or if forage needs to be stockpiled for winter pastures, tall fescue is a better selection than either smooth bromegrass or orchardgrass. On-the-other-hand, if spring pasture or quality hay production is the producer's goal, both smooth bromegrass and orchardgrass are superior to tall fescue.
Seeding legumes in combination with the cool-season grasses is an excellent management practice. Legumes can increase carrying capacity, improve quality and digestability as well as lower fertilizer costs. However, if the two species are to coexist, the grass/legume mixture must be managed properly. Proper management would include; liming to near neutral pH, annual application of potassium and phosphate fertilizer, heavy grazing pressure or clipping of grass in early spring to allow the legume the luxury of less competition and either rotational intensive grazing or periods of grazing deferment when necessary.
Examples of warm-season introduced grasses planted in Kansas include the old world bluestems, weeping lovegrass, and bermuda grass. None of these grasses are utilized to a great extent at present, however as bermudagrass cultivars with improved winter hardiness become available, this species could become a valuable forage in eastern Kansas and under irrigation in more western sections of the state.