DeLange Seed

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SMOOTH BROMEGRASS:  Bromus inermis

  Smooth bromegrass, native to Europe and Asia, is adapted to most temperate climates.  Deeply rooted, smooth bromegrass survives periods of drought and extremes in temperature.  During dry summer periods it becomes dormant until the return of cooler temperatures and fall moisture.  Best suited to deep fertile soils of well-drained silt loam, smooth bromegrass can never-the-less be utilized on a wide range of soil types.  It is a leafy, medium-tall growing, sod forming perennial grass.  It spreads underground by rhizomes and is readily propagated by seed.

  Forage quality of smooth bromegrass is usually superior to other cool-season grasses, i.e. tall fescue, orchardgrass, timothy, etc.  A disadvantage of bromegrass is its slow recovery after cutting, which contributes toward slight regrowth and poor seasonal distribution of yield.  Regrowth is slow because growing points are removed by cutting and consequently regrowth must come from below ground nodes.  In order to keep smooth bromegrass productive year after year it must be skillfully managed, particularly in the fall of the year.  Close grazing of smooth brome through the fall may result in thin, low vigor stands the following spring.  Properly managed, this superior grass will remain productive for several generations of Kansas farmers. 

         

USE AND MANAGEMENT:

            Smooth bromegrass is highly regarded for use as irrigated and non-irrigated pasture, quality hay production, soil conservation and critical area stabilization, and in grass-lined waterway seedings.

            New stands of smooth bromegrass should be protected from grazing until the grass is well established.  Broadleaf weeds can be controlled with low rates of 2, 4-D after grass seedlings have at least five or six leaves.  The annual grasses can be suppressed by mowing.  Mow at a height of four to six inches and do not remove more than three inches of smooth bromegrass leaves.

            Dense stands become sod-bound in three to five years without a perennial legume in the stand or nitrogen fertilizer.  Maintenance of established stands is usually dependent upon yearly application of fertilizer and adequate moisture.  An annual application of 90 to 100 pounds actual nitrogen in winter with phosphate and potassium included as recommended by a soil test is sufficient for hay or seed production.

            Bromegrass is well suited to intensive grazing systems in the spring of the year.  Hay meadows should not be grazed prior to cutting and only moderately in the fall.  Good quality and high forage yield will be achieved when smooth bromegrass is cut in early bloom stage.