Northern Grasses

Bromegrass (Bromus inermis) was first introduced into the United States in 1884. By 1890 it had become widely distributed and seemed to find a home on dry lands in the Northern Great Plains and to some extent in the extreme western part of the Corn Belt. The drought of 1934-36 and the demand for a tall grass to grow with alfalfa and other vigorous legumes brought it into prominence in the Midwest. Michigan farmers were probably the first east of the Mississippi to use bromegrass widely with alfalfa. In the early years most of the seed in commercial channels was from the northern United States and Canada; it was well adapted to Michigan and the Northern States but not to the central latitudes. Many failures resulted. Meanwhile, however, some seed had been harvested from old fields in northeastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska. In field tests this southern-grown seed was found to be better adapted to the central latitudes than that grown in the North.

A certified variety of bromegrass, named Lincoln, was developed by plant breeders in the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department. Foundation seed, which gave similar performance in extensive field-plot tests, was obtained from selected old fields of bromegrass. The oldest of these fields were planted in the late 1890's with seed distributed by the Nebraska station. Some evidence indicates that this seed was of Hungarian origin, in contrast to later introductions from Russia, or of northern origin. Our first tests showed that Lincoln may be grown much farther north than the region in which it has become naturalized, but it is particularly adapted to the central Corn Belt States where its seedling vigor, ease in establishment, and aggressive sod formation make it of especial value for plantings to control soil erosion and as a pasture, hay, or seed crop. We cannot say the same for the poorly adapted strains from northern sources, presumably of Russian origin, which frequently exhibit poor seedling vigor, are difficult to establish on critical planting sites, and produce an open-type sod in the Midwest.

Lincoln bromegrass was named in 1942 and has been increased by farmers under the auspices of the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association and the Nebraska station. Approximately 325,000 pounds of seed were produced by 78 growers in 1945. Much of that seed was sold to farmers in States east of Nebraska, and tests were started to see how it would do in other States and abroad. In other States similar strains of bromegrass are being certified : In Kansas, the Achenbach strain; Iowa, the Fischer strain; and in Missouri, the Elsberry strain. Strains being increased from the old fields in the central latitudes might well be considered identical for the-purpose of certification. They are similar in regional adaptation, and in preliminary tests it appears that they are quite well adapted in the North.

Field selections and introductions from foreign sources of northern origin are also available. Some of these are similar in habit of growth to those in Kansas and Nebraska. The Martin strain, a field selection from Minnesota, is an example.

Timothy (Phleum pratense), is another grass from which a number of varieties have been developed by simple selection. The Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department have developed two varieties, Marietta and Lorain, whose seed is being increased.

Marietta timothy heads, blooms, and matures several days earlier than ordinary timothy. Its early maturity increases its value for aftermath pasture and makes it better adapted to the southern part of the timothy belt, because it is ready for harvest or use before the hot, dry weather. Marietta is a composite of three early selections.

Lorain timothy originated from a single plant selection, and is 8 to 10 days later than common timothy. It is best adapted to northern Ohio and other States in that latitude. In southern Ohio, however, it is doubtful if it would be better than common timothy. Because the slower early growth of Lorain does not depress the growth of clover, better yields have been obtained when Lorain or late-maturing strains have been grown in a mixture with red clover. Lorain timothy is quite resistant to leaf rust.

Two strains of timothy have been developed by Cornell University. Seed stocks of one are being increased. Cornell 1777 is a medium early, fine-stemmed timothy of medium height. It stays green until maturity. Cornell 4059 is tall and erect in growth and has medium coarse leafage. It is not so resistant to rust as 1777.

Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerate) is another introduction that came in with the early settlers. Only in recent years have attempts been made to develop improved strains. Field collections have been made from old fields for selection and hybridization with new improved strains from abroad.