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Re: Gama Grass



Paul Westfall mentioned
>We had BIG problems trying to establish the stuff.  The
>seed germination was very low, and I think that the variety used was not
>adapted at all to the severe weather we get on occasion.  I do not know
>what variety was used in these tests, however.  I would suggest a higher
>seeding rate to try and compensate for the low germination, and a good
>weed control program.  One other thought I have is that when we have
>species that are easier to establish, are high quality when harvested on
>time, and have high forage yields, there had better be a yield and or
>quality advantage to using gama grass after all the trouble it was for our
>SCS and SWCD people.

See Dormancy is a big problem with this species.  The following procedure
will help break the dormancy but be sure to do your own germ test and adjust
your seeding accordingly;

Submerge seed from 8 to 12 hours in a water and Thiram solution (.25% Thiram)
Drain seed
Seal seed in a plastic bag to retain moisture
cool seed to 35-45 degrees and keep at 35 to 45 degrees for 6 to 8 weeks
before planting.

You may be able to order prechilled seed.

Plant wet-chilled seed 1 to 1.5 inches deep after the soil is 60 to 65
degrees F.

Best stands (for grazing) are obtained when seeds are planted in 6 to 10
inch rows using conventional or no-till drills.  A corn planter can be used
but the row spacing should be no more than 18 inches apart.

A wider row spacing can be used if it is a hay field.

Fertility requirements appear to be similar to bermuda.  Expect very little
use for hay or pasture during the establishment year.  Apply 30 to 50 lbs/ac
of Nitrogen after the seedlings are 10 inches tall.

Pete and Iuka are two available cultivars.  Iuka looks better in our
environment.  It is a native grass and nutritive value has been pretty high
(65 to 72% digestible, 12 to 18% crude protein.  We have made silage from it
too.  In our environment, we expect 4 to 6 tons per acre from 2 to 3
harvests or several grazings.

Graze at 16 to 24 inches and never graze closer than 6 to 8 inches.  Hay at
24 to 36 inches and cut to a 4 to 6 inch stubble.

Good primarily for grazing but also for hay, silage, erosion control, and
wildlife.


Dwight


===============================================================
Dwight S. Fisher
USDA-ARS Plant Science Research Group
Crop Science Department, Box 7620
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina  27695-7620
            Phone:  (919) 515 7597
            FAX:    (919) 515 7959
            EMail:  dwight_fisher@ncsu.edu
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the
service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth.
                                             (Psalm 104:14)
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