Good all-around range grass, especially in shallow soils. This is the largest and coarsest of the grama grasses. Leaves are coarser than other species of gramas–straight, comparatively stiff, and mostly basal. Ten to thirty small, non-comb-like spikes are borne mostly along one side of each central seed stalk. Sideoats grama is not as resistant to grazing as blue grama because of its taller growth habit, but sideoats grama stays green longer and can be grazed for a longer period. Reduced forage production, carrying capacity, and loss in cattle weight is a direct result of overgrazing. Sideoats grama is a normal component of a large number of range sites.
Sideoats grama is a deeply rooted (7 feet), perennial grass with good forage potential. The plants crown will spread very slowly by means of extremely short, stout rhizomes. A mid-grass in height, it has rather wide leaves and a very distinct inflorescence consisting of a zigzag stalk with small compressed spikes dangling from it at even intervals.
Source
Field collections made on a native range site in Canadian County, Oklahoma near the town of El Reno in 1934 and were tested at the Manhattan PMC as KG-482. KG-482 was tested against similar collections of sideoats grama at Manhattan. The KG-482 collection was rated outstanding for leafiness, forage production, and vigor. It also ranked well in disease resistance, seed production and winter hardiness. It was subsequently tested in the service area and released in 1944 as El Reno sideoats grama by the PMC and Kansas AES.
Uses
Erosion Control: This grass is adapted to most soil conditions. Successful seeding’s are obtained in rocky, stony, or shallow soils. It is a fair to good erosion control plant when mixed with the other plants naturally associated with it.
Grazing: This is one of the most important range grasses. Although not as palatable as some of the smaller gramas, e.g. blue grama, it is more palatable than many of the other grass species. It produces a much greater volume of forage than blue grama, and this tends to make up for its slightly lower palatability. It remains green later in the fall and usually begins growth in the spring before other gramas. It cures well, and maintains a fairly high feeding value throughout the year.
Wildlife: Furnishes some forage for deer and antelope when green. Elk use this plant throughout the year.
Grow Height | Cold Tolerance | Minimum Rainfall |
Planting Rate Acre |
1-3′ | Low | 30″ | 10-15 lb. |
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