Establishment, Production, and Protein Content of Four Grasses in South Texas

Abstract

Old World bluestem and Selection 75 Kleingrass established stands more rapidly and produced more topgrowth the year of seeding than did Bell Rhodesgrass or green sprangletop at three locations in South Texas. Based on crude protein content of foliage at maturity, the grasses ranked Selection 75 Kleingrass > Bell Rhodesgrass, green sprangletop > Old World bluestem. Old World bluestem foliage contained only slightly more than 6% crude protein at maturity. However, crude protein content of Old World bluestem, Bell Rhodesgrass, and green sprangletop decreased only slightly from maturity to dormancy. Selection 75 Kleingrass crude protein levels in foliage dropped from about 13% at maturity to less than 9% during dormancy.