Strains of Blue Grama and Sideoats Grama Evaluated for the Southern Great Plains

Abstract

Strains of blue grama and sideoats grama were evaluated for forage yield and quality under dryland conditions on the Southern Great Plains. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and crude protein content were determined as measures of forage quality. WW 65 blue grama was the leading strain of blue grama for every parameter measured, but it was significantly greater than the other blue grama strains only in IVDMD. Although no strain of sideoats grama proved superior in forage yield, PMT 328 sideoats grama was highest in crude protein content and was significantly greater than all other strains of sideoats grama in IVDMD. WW 65 blue grama and PMT 328 sideoats grama exhibited superior forage quality with at least comparable forage yield to the other strains of blue grama and sideoats grama, respectively.