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 Indiangrass (Sorgastrum
nutans)
Common names:
Yellow Indiangrass, Indian Grass, Prairie Plume Grass
General Information:
If a person were to describe their
favorite tall grass prairie species, chances are that person would describe Indiangrass.
It is a perennial, tall bunch grass, of the United States that has lovely plume-like heads
in the fall, which are very attractive. It can be found growing in almost all states (at
least in remnant native grass sites) and it adapts well to many types of environments.
The primary area of interest in Indiangrass
in most recent years is the increased usage of the grass in wildlife habitat plantings,
Conservation Reserve Program plantings, and in a diverse mixing of warm season grasses for
summer forage. It is a hardy grass, establishes easily, grows quickly and tolerates sites
that are slightly acidic as well as slightly alkaline.
Indiangrass is adapted to a wide part
of our country, from the Northeast, west into the high plains, Great Plains, and south to
Texas. As most any grass, it grows best in deep, well-drained soils, but can be found
growing on poor sand to wet clay soils.
Indiangrass is a warm season grass (that term means:
a grass that does not begin its growth in the spring until the soil temperature is above
50 –55 degrees and it achieves 80% of its growth in June, July and August). The seed
itself supports an awn or "beard" that makes planting of the seed with a
conventional seeder difficult to almost impossible. For best results, a chaffy grass
seeder should always be used. Some people do not recommend dormant seeding (seeding after
the weather has turned cold and most growth has stopped); other people swear their best
stands have been achieved by dormant planting. Just one word on this—it is a warm
season grass; therefore our seed company recommends planting in the warm season. If you must
seed during the dormant period, increase your amount planted by about 25 percent.
Establishment:
- For the best conservation practice, no-till the seed into the stubble
of a previous crop or the existing stand of another species that has been successfully
eradicated. Pay close attention to previous land use practices. If a row crop has been
planted for many years in succession a herbicide carryover is possible.
- If you feel you must plow up the site before planting, prepare your
seedbed like you would for any other crop. The seedbeds need to be firm, not fluffy, so
the seed will not be planted at an inappropriate depth. Use a cultipacker to firm your bed
or some other type of roller that will create a smooth planting area that is not too hard.
- Plant the seed no more than ½ inch deep. Emerging seedlings lack the
strength to push through too much overlying soil. More seed has been lost to poor planting
practices than anything else; this is especially true of seed depth.
- If weeds are a problem or a potential problem, consider using a
herbicide recommended for warm season grasses. WE MAKE NO RECOMMENDATIONS. FOLLOW
DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. DO NOT TANK MIX A PESTICIDE WITH A HERBICIDE. REMEMBER MORE IS NOT
NECESSARILY BETTER.
- You can broadcast the seed onto a prepared seedbed. Roll Lightly. You
will probably need a carrier. Some people use a 0-13-13 fertilizer.
Management:
- We do not recommend the use of fertilizer the first year, at
least not nitrogen. Moderate levels of phosphorus and potassium are beneficial, especially
for root establishment, which is the primary activity of the plant the first year. Use a
soil test to help you decide the rate. Fertilizer may be applied the second year to
enhance vigor and production of forage. It is not necessary to fertilize at all, but stand
strength may be compromised without it.
- We recommend a controlled burn every 1-3 years if possible.
If not, then a mowing pattern should be established in order to control woody species
invasion and prevent thatch build up. If you mow, mow no lower than 8 inches and no later
than August 1.
Rotational grazing or flash grazing is
another good management tool. Care should be taken to prevent the livestock from grazing
the warm season grass to a level that would not rebound after grazing. Use 6 inches as
your stopping point and a regrowth of 12 inches before grazing begins again. This
remaining stubble will assist your stand in withstanding the cold, harsh conditions of
winter.
Varieties or cultivars
(improved releases):
- Rumsey is known for rapid growth in mid-to-late summer. It
provides excellent cover for upland birds and wildlife, and it is the variety most widely
used. The original collection of seeds was from Missouri.
- Cheyenne was developed from seeds originally collected in
Oklahoma, thus it is suited to a drier climate than Rumsey.
Nebraska 54 came from seeds collected in
Nebraska along railroad rights of way. It is a heavy seed producer and withstands cold
winters.
Osage is also adapted to drier climates. It
is the latest maturing variety of Indiangrass: do not plant it too far north if you hope
to have any seed production.
Others: Holt, Oto, Tomahawk, Lometa, llano
PLANTING RATE:
- Solid stands: 6-8 PLS per acre
- Broadcast stands: 12-15 pounds per acre
- Wildlife plantings: 6 PLS per acre
- Mixed stands: usually not more than 25% of the total seed mixture
11/99 All content property of Sharp Bros
Seed Co
Sharp Brothers Seed Co.
396 SW Davis St. - LaDue
Clinton, Missouri 64735
Phone: 1-800-451-3779
or Phone: 1-660-885-7551
Contact: General inquiries use our contact form.
Also visit Sharp Bros. Healy's website at
www.sharpseed.com
Copyright © 2004 Sharp Brothers Seed Co.
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