The prairie grasses would include the bluestems, side oats gramma, indian
and switch grasses. I believe that all of these plants are C4 warm season
grasses. The limiting factor in C4 plants is the need for relatively high
temperatures, with optimum temperatures around 90 - 95 F. Once higher
temperatures are reached, these plants can out compete other plants because
the C4 pathway allows for higher efficiency at those temperatures.
C3 cool season grasses such as Brome grow best in a temperature range of
65 - 75 F, but can prosper in cooler environments where the C4 plants do
not have enough heat to do well. As temperatures exceed their optimum
range, the C3 plants become less efficient because photorespiration (the non
productive chemical reaction) increases and takes away from photosynthesis
(the chemical reaction that produces sugar and growth for the plant).
Much of the midwest part of the U.S. was tallgrass prairie, but 99% of that
prairie was converted to agriculture. One of the main plants grown in this
environment today is corn (maize) which, not surprisingly, is another C4
grass.
Sincerely,
Rick Williams
Misty Ridge Farm
Viroqua, WI
-----Original Message-----
From: graze-l-admin@witt.ac.nz [mailto:graze-l-admin@witt.ac.nz]On Behalf Of
vaughan jones
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 03:52
To: graze-l@witt.ac.nz
Subject: [Graze-l] "praire grasses" for VA
----
I think we have a discrepency in language going on here. I live on
the edge of the Flint Hills of Kansas, one of the top grazing areas
in the world. These hills are held together by the perennial native
prairie grasses. They are far more likely to spread by tillering and
bunching outward than by seed drop. These species are big bluestem,
little bluestem, side oats gramma, indian grass, switchgrass and
eastern gamma grass, to name a few. There are dozens more that fill
in micro environments within the prairie's differing sites.
To us in New Zealand the above are not Prairie Grasses, even if they
grow on your prairies. Are they Bromes?
I believe that switchgrass and eastern gamma grass , tho both prone
to early maturity, would probably make good pasture in West Virginia,
as would Big bluestem. These are good producers and will send roots
down 25 feet if need be to find water.
Best,
Judy
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