Seed production of 'Plains' bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum [L.] Keng.) is difficult to assess because of its indeterminate flowering habit and its vegetative canopy which, when excessive, interferes with seed harvests. The variety will produce two seed crops annually. The first matures in July and the second, if managed properly, in October. The effects of three management treatments on the amount of forage associated with each seed crop were highly significant in 2 out of 3 years. The study suggests that a delay of about 21 days in removing the residual forage remaining after the summer seed harvest will favorably influence fall seed yields. Where nitrogen was applied, the decline in vegetation associated with the seed crop was directly related to the previous year's forage cropping practice. Burning residual litter in early March, fertilizing with a 60-45-0 (N, P, K) pound rate of N and P was best for the production of a summer seed crop. The removal of residual forage by mowing and baling about July 29, cultivation, fertilization, and irrigations as needed, favorably influenced fall seed yields. The combined yield of the two crops in 1969 was in excess of 200 lb/acre pure seed. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.