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Switchgrass
(Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass, a native warm season vig- orous, perennial can be found growing throughout the United States. It grows to a height of three to eight feet tall, depending on the variety. Switchgrass has numerous roots reaching to ten feet deep, as well as underground rhizomes making it an impor- tant grass for use in conservation programs.
With supplemental irrigation in areas with less than 20 inches of rainfall, Switchgrass is an excellent forage during summer. It should be protected from grazing until established because of high palatability. Leaving a ten inch stubble will maintain plant stands and vigor, and produce palat- able high production for grazing or hay. Switchgrass is readily eaten by all classes of livestock.
The seeds are smooth, and can be planted through small seed boxes. Planting depth should be about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch. Planting should be done in early spring, prefer-
ably March to May. Plant in a firm well- prepared seed bed or in cover crop if soil is subject to erosion.
Switchgrass is drought tolerant but is also used extensively in waterways or areas of temporary flooding.
‘Alamo’ Switchgrass is a much later matur- ing variety which lengthens the grazing period. It is adapted to Texas and through- out the southwest states. Seeding rate is 11⁄2 pure live seed pounds per acre planted approximately 1⁄2 inch deep. Alamo grows to a height of five to eight feet tall.
‘Blackwell’ Switchgrass is planted at a rate of 3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 pure live seed pounds per
acre. It is used throughout the lower 2/3 of the United States. Blackwell is a shorter growing variety reaching three to five feet tall. Blackwell requires a shorter growing season to obtain seed maturity so it will reseed itself more readily.
Other varieties available are Cave-N- Rock, Pathfinder and Trailblazer, all being similar to Blackwell.