2008-12-31_INSPECTION - M2002106

• Permit No: M2002106
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Date: 12/31/2008
• Doc Name: Response to inspection dated 10/06/2008
• From: Larry Mondragon
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: RCO
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

BLUE GRAMA
Bouteloua gracilis
ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION
Major native species of the western Great Plains
and the Southwest. One of the most widely dis-
tributed of all native grasses. A warm season,
open sod-forming short grass. However, it has a
bunchgrass growth form in South and is more of
a sod-former in the North, at higher elevations
and when closely grazed. Densely tufted, usual-
ly 6 to 24" tall with gray-green basal leaves. Has
bluish-purple cast when young and takes on
straw color at maturity.
GROWTH HABITS AND ENVIRON-
MENTAL PREFERENCES
Best adapted on heavy, rolling upland soils. e0b
Does well on sandy to clayey soils, less vigor- tO
ous on sands and clays. Tolerant of soil salinity
and commonly persists on alkaline soils. Rarely
seen on even weakly acid soils. Rather low level
of fertility demand. Not shade-tolerant. Very
drought-tolerant. Has unique ability to become
semidormant and make quick recovery when b
moisture comes. Good winter-hardiness. May
produce two or more seed crops in one year,
with proper moisture may flower and produce
seed in 60 days.
CD
to

CULTURE CD
C
Drill seed (with special grass drill) 1/4 -1/2" o
deep on firm seed bed or broadcast about same
depth. Better establishment in protective cover
of non-volunteering crop, stubble or mulch. o
Plant 1 to 3 lbs. PLS per acre. Plant April to
00
mid-May in Central Great Plains, slightly earli- N
er in southern Great Plains and June 15 to July
15 in Southwest. Often seeded in winter months J
with emergence expected when soil tempera-
tures rise. Control weeds and protect from graz-
ing until plants well-rooted and have produced
seed heads.
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Widely used for range, pasture, and occasional-
ly for hay. Often seeded in mixtures to control
erosion. In more recent years has been used to
some extent for lawns. Also widely used over
much of the Southwest and the Great Plains area
for reseeding disturbed or abandoned cultivated
acres. Native stands may be grazed continuous-
ly all summer or all year long if not overgrazed.
Highly nutritional, even when dormant in winter
time. Rotational grazing should be practiced.
IMPROVED VARIETIES
`Alma' released from New Mexico and
Colorado.
`Lovington' released from New Mexico.
`Hachita' released from New Mexico and Col-
orado.
`Bad River' released from South Dakota.
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