There’s a statement in a USDA Plant Fact Sheet on broomsedge bluestem stating: On infertile soils, broomsedge is a long-lived competitor. If your end of year forage management includes pricing or applying fertilizer to a cool season grass stand, keep broomsedge bluestem management in the back of your mind.
Why? Broomsedge continues to be an increasing species of interest in cool season grass stands, and fertility management plays a big role in whether it gets a foothold or not. Other factors contribute as well (harvest management comes to mind…), but because the competitive nature of cool season grasses depends heavily on fertilizer, fertility management, particularly lime and phosphorous, can be a great way to help manage broomsedge to a degree. One example comes from the results of a 2008 study at the University of Missouri evaluating the response of cool season grass (fescue) stands with broomsedge in them to fertilizer applications. Their research showed the addition of fifty pounds of phosphorous per acre plus lime increased fescue stand composition from less than 15 percent to over 35 percent, while slightly reducing the broomsedge composition of the stand. Bottom line: it’s a slow process, but fertilizer can help (Miles et. al, 2008, University of MO):
Continue reading “Broomsedge Bluestem – Fertility Management Considerations”
