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Graminae
Synonyms
Andropogon caucasicus Trin.
Common names
Caucasian blue-stem (United States).
Description
A tufted perennial, 0.6-1 m tall, leafy at and near the base
with rather fine stems. It differs from King Ranch blue-stem (B. ischaemum)
in the upright stiff stems, which seldom dry to a straw colour, the normally
shorter basal leaves containing some red pigment and the branched purple
panicle having a longer axis.
Distribution
Native of the southern USSR and introduced into the United
States.
Rainfall requirements
It generally grows in the 500-700 mm rainfall regimes.
Drought tolerance
It is drought resistant, more so than King Ranch blue-stem.
Soil requirements
It grows well on poor, shallow soils.
Sowing methods
Seed is broadcast on to a fine seed-bed and rolled, or it can
be broadcast into sorghum stubble.
Sowing depth and cover
Sow on the surface, or no deeper than 2.5 cm.
Sowing time and rate
Sow in January to May in Texas, United States at 1 kg/ ha in
1-m rows or 2 kg/ha in a solid stand.
Number of seeds per kg.
2.2 million.
Vigour of growth and growth
rhythm
It makes rapid growth.
Suitability for hay and
silage
It makes useful hay.
Cultivars
'Medio' is an improved variety with finer stems and leaves
that produce a thicker turf than the common type.
Minimum temperature for
growth
It survived -26 to -28°C in Oklahoma in 1950- 51.
Frost tolerance
It is more cold resistant than King Ranch blue-stem and has
survived as far north as southern Ohio, Colorado and Nebraska, United States,
with no winter kill.
Ability to compete with
weeds
It competes well with weeds.
Seed production and harvesting
The seeds are difficult to harvest as they shatter readily.
It is harvested when most of the seed is ripe with a combine at 1 000-1
200 rpm. Turn the fresh seed two to three times daily to dry.
Further reading
Archer & Bunch, 1953.
Dormancy
Fresh seed has a low germination rate, but after four months
germination may reach 60 percent.
Value for erosion control
It is used for stabilizing waterways in Texas.
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