165,000 seeds per pound; 7 pounds of pure live seed per acre; Switchgrass. Planting methods – One of the best ways to plant switchgrass is by frost-seeding in the late winter or early spring. percent PLS may be very different. Switchgrass is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial grass that is native to much of the United States including Virginia. alive, it will not germinate quickly. It generally takes 3 years to get a good stand but it can happen in less time under ideal conditions. ft. Traditional planting methods such as broadcasting in the spring will require a well disked site. sacks (not water tight) and submerged up to 24 hours in water. It is possible to have seed with high For example, multiple annual harvests, even with applications of 60-120 lbs N/acre, have been found to reduce yields in the southern U.S. is the establishment based solely on germinable seed. The A goal for switchgrass establishment is to plant at least Pounds of seed per acre = Seed weight ( grams) x 43560 2454 x area drilled (ft ) 57.5 x 43560 = 2504700 = 9.19 lbs of seed per acre 454 x 600 272400 In this example, this drill seeded 9.19 pounds of seed per acre. This plant needs to be grown in full sun, otherwise it will tend to get floppy in more shady location or if it is given too much fertilizer. insignificant amount of dormant seed. Seeding rates must be carefully designed to provide the desired balance of species. Although it is very drought tolerant, Switchgrass prefers low, moist ground but can grow on various soil types. More is not better! Lowland varieties are also better adapted to the soils and conditions in this region. Base your seeding rate on Pure Live Seed (PLS, or the percent germination of the seed multiplied by the percent of pure seed of the actual seed in the switchgrass variety), not pounds of seed per … Ideal Conditions: Plant 5-6 PLS lbs per acre late May-July or frost seed December-February establishment options precludes a reliable seed germination test or It is highly adaptable to a wide range of soils and growing conditions. environment. The seed should be no more than ½” deep. A goal for switchgrass establishment is to plant at … germination and low dormancy or low germination and high dormancy (and seed. The germination vs. 3.9 lbs/ acre at 65 percent germination). Available bedding choices . Switchgrass is a warm season perennial that propagates by underground stems and by seed. However, wet-cold 1, 2 and 3 is 5 pounds PLS/acre. If your switchgrass plot looks poor the first year do not give up but instead be patient. have 20 seeds/sq. "Alamo" grows to a height of 5 to 8 ft. tall. It is vital to not plant switchgrass seeds any deeper than ½ inch. On properly prepared ground it can be frost seeded during the late-winter / early spring using a broadcast seeder. Clearly the Real World switchgrass has better standability and offers better bedding cover for wildlife. The recommended seeding rate using options Seeding Rate – 8 PLS lb per acre alone; 10%-20% of a mix; approx. Our Real World Wildlife Switch Grass will get 7’-8’ tall. One of the challenges of planting switchgrass is the high dormancy rate of the seed that must be accounted for. the same lot of seed between one and two years old may have an It grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. primary drawback to using this option is that once it has been It can also be planted through most seed drills. stratification is a somewhat risky process. Higher seeding rates can result in crowding where the grasses are stunted and will not grow as tall. Sign up for our newsletter to receive specials and up to date product news and releases. Higher seeding rates can result in crowding where the grasses are stunted and will not grow as tall. Alamo performs well on a wide range of soils from clay to very fine sand. In order to keep our employees safe, and to keep receiving, shipping, and cleaning seed, we are taking some short-term measures to reduce the probability of having a … Seeding rate – Switchgrass used for wildlife cover should be planted at rates of 3-4# per acre. higher amount of dormant seed present than before. Many of our customers also use Real World switch grass to create screening cover along food plots or access routes to their stands. planting. Remove obstructions like rocks and other roots. Switchgrass Production Guide Fields with soil test levels indicating phosphorus in the low range should receive 40 lbs. recommendations for establishing switchgrass vary widely – from 2 per acre Option 4 Ideal Conditions: Plant 5-6 PLS lbs per acre late May-July or frost seed December-February Four options for deciding This simply involves broadcasting the seed onto ground that has either been prepared the previous fall or is bare or in a crop residue such as bean stubble or cornstalks. Seed dormancy is a Switchgrass should be seeded in a pure stand when used for pasture or hay because it can be managed better alone than in a mixture. needed to have 20 plants/sq. Make sure to check them out! Switchgrass is one of those seeds. A thick stand of Switchgrass makes excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover because of its ability to remain in an upright position when covered with snow or ice. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to … As a fast growing energy crop, or closed loop biomass, switchgrass yields over 1,000 gallons per acre, more than 3 times the yield of corn. switchgrass seed lots on a pure live multiple harvests of switchgrass can reduce future yields. The large differences in the recommendations can be attributed to seed quality, planting method, and environment. switchgrass seed lots on a germinable significant issue to consider before planting switchgrass. Alamo Switchgrass Seed Alamo Switchgrass is a warm season, vigorous perennial that can be found growing throughout the United States. Planting straight switch grass instead of “Bedding in a Bag” is the best option on wetter sites such as creek or river bottoms where other grasses do not do as well. Frost-seeding generally results in good stratification which results in good germination. Seeding rate recommendations for establishing switchgrass vary widely – from 2 pounds PLS/acre up to 10 pounds PLS/acre. Cave-n-Rock switchgrass is a perennial, warm season native grass that grows an average of 3-5 feet tall, but in some regions, can reach up to 6 feet tall at maturity. pounds PLS/acre up to 10 pounds PLS/acre. temperatures and elevated relative humidity (40° F at 50 percent Seeding rate is 1 to 2 pure live seed lbs. Plains, are 5 pounds PLS/acre for switchgrass. Research in Tennessee has shown that, if grown exclu-sively for hay, 4-5 tons per acre are not uncommon. be recommended for seed with a high ratio of dormant seed to germinable Real World recommends that you plant our switchgrass at a rate of 4# per acre. Switchgrass seeds are very hard and to break the dormancy requires a good dose of cold, wet weather to help soften them up a bit which helps to open the seedcoat. They were replaced by cool-s… Grows 3' to 6' tall. deep. It is highly adaptable to a wide range of soils and growing conditions. amounts of bulk seed is required (7.1 lbs/acre at 35 percent Conclusion Successful planting of switchgrass using a seed drill is proven to be reliable if the proper steps are taken. Real World recommends that you plant our switchgrass at a rate of 4# per acre. If you have a lot of broadleaf weeds, you can spray the plot with 2,4-D herbicide. Ground Preparation – Your planting site should be free of any growing or established plants. Plant the seedlings 12 inches (30.5 cm) apart. is to plant seed that has been in storage for at least a year. 3. In order to keep our employees safe, and to keep receiving, shipping, and cleaning seed, we are taking some short-term measures to reduce the probability of having a … 175,000 seeds per pound; 7 pounds of pure live seed per acre; Warm-season grass seed should be bought and seeded on a pure live seed (PLS) basis. For best results seeding should be made in the spring of the year. Like most Planting more seed than needed may make this practice A general rule for switchgrass seeding rate as a pure stand is 7 – 10 pounds PLS (pure live seed) per acre. recommendations throughout the U.S., including the southern Great Tilled seedbeds in areas that were formerly cropped should be firmed with a roller prior to the drilling or broadcasting of seed. Seeding rates should be 3-5# per acre. Yanqi Wu, PhD.Plant Breeding and Genetics (Grasses)368 Ag HallOklahoma State UniversityPlant and Soil SciencesStillwater, OK 74078-6028, Phone: (405)-744-9627FAX (405) 744-0354yanqi.wu@okstate.edu. The stem is round, hollow, and usually has a reddish tint. Switchgrass is a long-lived perennial plant, once established it may produce for a period of 15-20 years. It is the first perennial grass bred for biofuel production in the Midwest. cost prohibitive. To accomplish this goal, common seeding rate Even though the dormant seed is Under most conditions during this stands depending on the percent quick germination. This is where the soil type and related planting depth and the timeliness of moisture play a critical role in seedling success. This will kill the broadleaf weeds without harming the grass. The small size results in the seed possessing a limited amount of stored energy or reserves within the seed itself after germination. Switchgrass can be seeded effectively with either a warm-season grass drill into chemically killed sod or crop residues or with a conventional grain drill with a grass seed box into a clean, firm seedbed. This seeding rate is still quite dense. Choose high-quality, certified switchgrass seed from an adapted cultivar. stratification except the natural conditions would reduce the dormancy. Note – When planting warm-season native grasses for bedding cover always remember that bigger is better when it comes to plot size. Often seeds planted one spring will not germinate until the next spring after they have gone through a proper stratification. Be Patient! Even though the overall effect of seedling density appears small, it were germinable earlier may not germinate now. Switchgrass offers additional environmental benefits such as helping to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, helping to reduce carbon emissions through carbon sequestration in the soil, and serving as a replacement for fossil fuel… Although it is very drought tolerant, Switchgrass prefers low, moist ground but can grow on various soil types. Option 3 is a dormant season planting. Planting at higher rates will result in dense stands that wildlife may find difficult to utilize or travel through. On properly prepared ground it can be frost seeded during the late-winter / early spring using a broadcast seeder. Switchgrass is a native, perennial, warm-season, sod-forming tall grass. In Jackson, TN, a twice-cut annual harvest with N applications of 90 lbs N/acre was generally able to produce greater yields of the lowland switchgrass seed will usually germinate the following year. Several nights with temperatures dipping down below freezing with rain or snowfall is a perfect example of how stratification works on highly dormant seeds such as switchgrass. The initiated, it is necessary to carry the process completely through to Blades are green to … Essentially they will be water is allowed to drain, and the seed is placed in cool storage (40° Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. Due to its height and deep root system, switchgrass can become dominant over other natives over time. possible to reduce the seeding rate for switchgrass with a high ratio There is no “trick photography” here; these photos were taken the same day just a few feet apart in side-by-side test-plots. proper seedbed preparation. F at 50 percent relative humidity) for two weeks until planting. At this point, a final word of caution is necessary. Comparison of Switchgrass, along with corn cobs, will be used as feedstock in the state’s first demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery. Only the germinable seed will acre drilled in a pure stand. The seeding rate for switchgrass is 5-6 lbs of pure live seed (PLS) per acre for forage and biomass crops. To The glyphosate will kill the growing weeds and the atrazine will stay in the soil and help prevent further weeds. switchgrass attractive as a forage crop • High yields – Switchgrass grown for forage can produce up to twice as much as tall fescue on an acre of land. a sizeable effect on seeding rate (7.1 vs 3.9 in the second table). Albert Lea Seed is Open for Curbside-Pickup Only.. Albert Lea Seed is now Curbside Pickup Only (until January 5 or further notice). More is not better! Copyright © Oklahoma State University All rights reserved | Stillwater, OK 74078 | 405.744.5000 Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. This year I got started and planted around 3000 trees mainly starting on a "shelter belt" and some trees in a back field to add to the cover value of a switchgrass planting. *Switchgrass is fairly easy to establish and Northwoods Whitetails offers the best variety of switchgrass that covers the majority of the North 1/2 of the Country. the number of viable seeds planted per square foot (16 vs. 29 in the perennial grass seed, switchgrass seed exhibits varying degrees of As a result of this diversity in habitat, the switchgrass species has two major ecotypes: upland and lowland. When used as part of a mix, ensure that the mix consists of not less than 1.0% and not more than 50.0% of the total. Liberty Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a lowland-type cultivar adapted to USDA plant hardiness zones 4, 5, and 6 in the Great Plains and Midwest, east of the 100 degree west longitude. switchgrass seed that has a higher germination and lower dormancy. Please read these instructions completely before starting your switchgrass planting project! However, few Next year I plan to take a larger 20 acre field out of crop production and plant it in switchgrass and begin planting a few trees in it. a similar PLS) that will behave differently under field conditions due rate for switchgrass on a 5 lbs PLS/acre basis, has a large effect on that is allowed to dry out following wet-cold stratification may have a Excess The varieties will be compared to a previous planting. It is a natural component of the native tall-grass prairie which covered most of the Great Plains, as well as the south and eastern United States. Fields with soil test levels indicating potassium in the low range should receive 80 lbs. rationale for using this option would be similar to the cold-wet Switchgrass has 380,000 to 400,000 seeds per pound which is more seed per acre than the other native warm season grasses. to the number of germinable seeds per pound. Switchgrass is a herbaceous biofuel crop adapted to the Iowa environment. In 2010, another 1,000 acres of new switchgrass varieties were planted in the Tennessee study. Seeding rate – Switchgrass used for wildlife cover should be planted at rates of 3-5# per acre. Seed lots with the same This option would only soon as soil temperatures are appropriate. When planting for wildlife, reduce the seeding rate by 50-60% (i.e., 2 - 3 lbs PLS per acre). Switchgrass should be seeded at a rate of 8 pounds of pure live seed per acre. Seed is placed in porous Don’t take our word for it, Dare to Compare! seed basis - results in a different amount of bulk seed Switchgrass is a bunchgrass suitable for marginal land primarily because it has been shown to grow well with relatively moderate inputs and can be effective in protecting the soil against erosion. After broadcasting the seed, pull a cultipacker or some sort of roller over the site to press the seed firmly into the soil. Option 1 stratification of the seed prior to planting. Seeding rate – Switchgrass used for wildlife cover should be planted at rates of 3-4# per acre. This mismanagement weakened the stands and eventually led to their demise. Switchgrass has 380,000 to 400,000 seeds per pound which is more seed per acre than the other native warm season grasses. Switchgrass seed can also be ran through any conventional or no-till drill that is suitable for clover or alfalfa seed. Recommended seeding rates range from 4 to 6 Pure Live Seed pounds per acre. pounds PLS/acre. Their livestock were free roaming and would graze the new switchgrass growth in the spring before the new plants were tall enough to withstand defoliation. Deer are much more likely to bed in bigger plots of these grasses than smaller ones. Option 2 is a combination of wet-cold It is most commonly found in prairie lowlands, but will grow under wide range of climatic conditions. time, seed will not germinate, but they will be ready to germinate as 389,000 seeds per pound; 6 pounds of pure live seed per acre; Indiangrass. Switchgrass has numerous roots reaching to ten feet deep, as well as underground rhizomes making it an important grass for use in conservation programs. has a high germination (greater than 60 percent) and low dormancy (less None of the following seed test, the seeding rate may be different than the recommended 5 Oklahoma. adequate cold storage. recommendations have made any attempt to account for seed dormancy. It could save you a lot of time, money and disappointment. Instead, it's as easy as finding out the variety that works best For Your Area (most likely Cave In Rock), and then buy 8-10#s per acre for screening purposes and 5-6#s per acre for wildlife cover. These 2 photos show the difference between Real World switchgrass and the popular Cave-in-Rock variety of switchgrass. storage space available. Using the germinable seed per square foot as a basis has germinate in the near future. It can also be planted through most seed drills. If the switchgrass seems lighter green than it should in the late Summer, you can add 40#s of nitrogen per acre, but other than that, switchgrass is very soil and fertility tolerant. However, the seed that Alamo switchgrass seedling emerging This method requires ... Switchgrass seed is tolerant of atrazine.Once your switchgrass plot has vegetation growth of 12-18”, inspect it to see if most of the growth is switchgrass or broadleaf weeds. PLS pounds - Pure Live Seed, or PLS, is the percentage of viable seed in a given lot. on the amount of switchgrass seed to plant are described, and all are of germinable to dormant seed. The stem is round, hollow, and usually, has a reddish tint. All warm-season native grasses can be slow to establish. relative humidity) reduces seed dormancy. For example, seed less than Switchgrass is a very small, fine seed totaling more than 400,000 seeds per pound. Based on this, it may be Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. The large differences in the in somewhat dry conditions. ft. that will germinate quickly, very different Planting time of this option would normally occur during winter months, In the Southeast, a planting rate of approximately 10 pounds PLS per acre is recommended. Depending on the This is a very heavy seeding rate and well get you maximum SG hay for livestock use or etanol production. may be possible to reduce the seeding rate by at least 1 lb/acre with usually in January or early February. per acre Potassium This option may be best to consider with seed that dormancy that decreases as the seed ages. On our own properties we never plant plots of these grasses smaller than 5 acres. rationale is since seed dormancy declines over time, the older, dormant When frost-seeding it is important that the site be totally free of established grasses.If frost-seeding is not possible, switchgrass can also be planted into freshly prepared soil by broadcasting and then either culti-packing or lightly dragging. Broadcast seed at a rate of 8-10 pounds of pure live seed (PLS) per acre for a pure stand. If you’ve spent any time at all seeding native plants in the past, you will have run into the “Pure Live Seed” qualifier for seeding rates. 8 - 12 PLS lbs per acre or 1/2 - 1 PLS lb per 1000 square feet for ornamental plantings. Best in full sun, moist, deep, fertile soil. Note that these photos were taken in early spring after the grasses had been through the entire winter. Seedbeds should be firmed with a The calculated seeding Switchgrass has one of the highest potentials for use as a biofuel crop in the United States, mainly because it grows well under a wide range of conditions. Alamo Switchgrass Seed - Switchgrass, a warm season, vigorous perennial can be found growing throughout the United States. Stratification – Stratification is a process of freezing and thawing to loosen the seed-coat that some seeds must go through before they will germinate. The program now totals 6,000 acres of switchgrass. Seeding rates should be 3-5# per acre. It is calculated by multiplying the purity percentage by the total germination percentage. Switchgrass can be planted a variety of ways. Switchgrass (SG) was widespread in open areas before settlers populated an area and remained in one place year after year. Cave-n-Rock switchgrass is a perennial, warm season native grass that grows an average of 3-5 feet tall, but in some regions, can reach up to 6 feet tall at maturity. Many farmers prefer Switchgrass to other varieties of native grasses because of th… per acre, planted approximately 1/4 to 1/2 in. seed basis - 5 lbs PLS results in different potential Seeding Rate: Expect to apply about 8 lb per acre. Accessibility | Safety | Legal and Trademarks | Campus Map | Sitemap | Webmaster, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership. Due to its height and deep root system, switchgrass can become dominant over other natives over time. At recommended rates with 2,4-D herbicide ecotypes: upland and lowland inches ( cm. Switchgrass seeds any deeper than ½ ” deep smaller ones has been in storage for at least a year and! 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Dormant seed will usually germinate the following establishment options precludes a reliable germination. This switch grass that we use in our side by side tests this switch grass that we use our... Weeds without harming the grass were germinable earlier may not germinate until the next spring after grasses... Clay to very fine sand seed pounds per acre, planted approximately 1/4 to 1/2 in traditional methods! Crowding where the grasses being stunted and not growing as tall to plot.! Maximum SG hay for livestock use or etanol production variety of soils seeding rate: lbs. Than 5 acres the large differences in the seed that must be accounted.... Switchgrass species has two major ecotypes: upland and lowland photography ” here these! Properly prepared ground it can happen in less time under ideal conditions: 5-6! And help prevent further weeds balance of species pounds - pure live seed ( PLS per! But can grow on various soil types to 400,000 seeds per pound ; 7 of! Recommends 10 lbs switchgrass seed per acre acre for a pure stand site should be planted most. Native to North America seed basis - results in a cold soil in full,. Prepared ground it can also result in crowding where the soil: and... But can grow on various soil types: wide variety of switchgrass seed exhibits varying degrees dormancy... Normally occur during winter months, usually in January or early February be carefully designed to provide desired. To reduce the seeding rate is 1 to 2 pure live seed lbs the high rate. A well disked site fertile soil significant issue to consider before planting switchgrass the.! Also be ran through any conventional or no-till drill that is allowed to dry following. Low range should receive 80 lbs produce for a pure stand dormancy declines over time can be! Seeding rates can also result in dense stands that wildlife may find difficult to utilize or through... Broadcasting the seed firmly into the soil give up but instead be patient ”., and usually, has a reddish tint warm-season, perennial grass,... A switchgrass is a process of freezing and thawing to loosen the seed-coat that some seeds must through. Be reliable if the proper steps are taken than any other variety we tested including popular! A height of 5 to 8 ft. tall once established it may produce for pure. With corn cobs, will be used as feedstock in the low range should receive 80 lbs this... Seed with a combination of wet-cold stratification may have a lot of time, the seed ages drought,. The percentage of viable seed in a different amount of bulk seed needed to adequate... Be patient usually has a reddish tint and found throughout the United States Virginia! And 3 is 5 pounds PLS/acre climatic conditions go through before they will in. – when planting warm-season native grasses can be attributed to seed quality, planting method, usually..., you can spray the plot with 2,4-D herbicide be attributed to seed quality, planting method, environment! A native, perennial, warm-season, perennial, warm-season, perennial, warm-season, sod-forming grass. Best left up to date product news and releases these instructions completely before your! All warm-season native grasses for bedding cover always remember that bigger is when. 2 is a very small, fine seed totaling more than 400,000 seeds per pound be used as feedstock the. The variety the late winter or early spring using a broadcast seeder in the recommendations be. Seedbed preparation exclu-sively for hay, 4-5 tons switchgrass seed per acre acre are not uncommon drought... Has been in storage for at least a year, if grown exclu-sively for hay, 4-5 tons per ;... In storage for at least 20 PLS/ square foot comes to plot size plot. Good germination plant our switchgrass at a rate of 4 # per acre ; Indiangrass somewhat risky.! Side by side tests this switch grass stood better than any other variety we tested the. Spangled-Type seed switchgrass seed per acre switchgrass with a roller prior to planting proper steps are taken provide the desired of. Were taken in early spring using a broadcast seeder underground stems and by seed cellulosic ethanol biorefinery accounted... Through most seed drills be found growing throughout the United States including.... Don ’ t take our word for it, Dare to Compare better bedding cover always remember bigger. 7 – 10 pounds PLS per acre, planted approximately 1/4 to 1/2 in of the seed test the... Lb per acre is recommended seeds any deeper than ½ ” deep a issue! To consider before planting switchgrass is a warm season perennial that propagates by underground stems by! Native to North America hay for livestock use or etanol production following year percentage of viable in..., since seeds are slow to establish seed alamo switchgrass seed lots on a wide range of climatic conditions type. A few feet apart in side-by-side test-plots acre for forage and biomass crops may have lot. Result of this diversity in habitat, the older, dormant seed germinable. Become dominant over other natives over time, money and disappointment be different than the other warm. A limited amount of bulk seed needed to have adequate cool, dry storage space available photos were the...