' 
 
 v ,w K 
 
 **hsW 
 
 Division of Agricultural Sciences 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Production of 
 
 in CALIFORNIA 
 
 D. C. SUMNER 
 
 JOHN R. GOSS 
 
 VERN L MARBLE 
 
 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL 
 Experiment Station 
 Extension Service 
 
 CIRCULAR 487 
 
Should 
 
 grow grass seed? 
 
 Here is a general, rather than a detailed discussion of grass seed pro- 
 duction. More specific information on species and varieties may be ob- 
 tained from your University of California Farm Advisor or from the 
 Department of Agronomy at Davis. 
 
 This circular will tell you what it takes to raise grass seed commer- 
 cially and perhaps help you determine whether you can do it successfully. 
 
 Briefly — growing grass seed has: 
 
 ADVANTAGES . . . 
 
 Except for harvesting problems with some grasses, production is not dif- 
 ficult. 
 
 Given favorable climate, high yields, inexpensive water, and low pro- 
 duction costs, you can make a profit on moderate acreage. 
 
 Grass seed production fits well into a rotation system — the crop tends to 
 improve the soil on which it is grown. 
 
 You can usually expect additional income from the by-product — feed. 
 
 
 « WHEATGRASS 
 
and DISADVANTAGES 
 
 The crop requires considerable special attention. The grower should be 
 experienced in row crops, irrigation, and seed production. 
 
 You cannot just think a field is free from weeds, mixtures, and off-types — 
 you must know it is. 
 
 Prices offered for grass seed are more sensitive to supply and demand 
 than most other crops, and supply and demand are greatly affected by 
 the vagaries of climate. 
 
 You must be observant, willing to experiment, and able to adjust recom- 
 mended cultural practices to your own farming conditions. 
 
 THE AUTHORS: 
 
 Dorman C. Sumner is Lecturer in Agronomy and Associate Specialist in the Department of 
 Agronomy, Davis. John R. Goss is Lecturer and Assistant Agricultural Engineer in the Experiment 
 Station, Davis. Vern L. Marble is Associate Agriculturist in the Agricultural Extension Service, Davis. 
 
 MARCH, 1960 
 
THE ECONOMICS 
 
 It's a high-income crop but success 
 
 is dependent on uncontrollable factors 
 
 It is inadvisable to set up new farming 
 projects based solely on grass seed pro- 
 duction. Established and diversified row 
 and grain crop enterprises might well 
 consider grass seed production as a prof- 
 itable addition to their rotation systems. 
 
 Only on rare occasions has short-term 
 — or "in and out" — grass seed produc- 
 tion been profitable. In addition, in areas 
 of high land values and competition with 
 cash crops of higher return, yields may 
 have to be exceptionally high for profit- 
 able operation. 
 
 Demand and supply 
 
 Generally speaking, grass species with 
 wide adaptation and strong demand are 
 
 This discussion of adaptation of 
 grasses as seed crops to various areas 
 of the state, and responses to cultural 
 treatments is admittedly incomplete for 
 several reasons: 
 
 In a publication of this scope it is not 
 possible to cover all of the problems that 
 may arise during the growing of a great 
 many varieties and species of grass. A 
 far larger book would be needed. 
 
 Grass seed production in California 
 is in most cases relatively new and it 
 takes years of experience to accumulate 
 information on adaptations and yields 
 in various climates — information that 
 has been gathered for other crops grown 
 in the state. 
 
 New varieties of grass, new insecti- 
 cides, new methods of controlling weeds 
 and diseases are being developed every 
 day and detailed information on them 
 is sometimes obsolete before it is printed. 
 
 So when we say a grower must learn 
 some practices by experience we mean 
 just that. What works for him may not 
 work for his neighbor. 
 
 extensively produced as seed crops. Some 
 are already in oversupply, but supplies 
 and grower prices do fluctuate, giving 
 reasonable returns in most years. The 
 seed supply of the more popular, easily 
 produced, summer-growing grasses usu- 
 ally keeps up with the much smaller de- 
 mand in good crop years. Production 
 varies considerably, depending on the 
 weather in the area of use. In years of 
 good growing conditions and an excess 
 of pasture feed, a portion of the pastures 
 and hay fields in the area of major use 
 are left to mature a seed crop instead of 
 being pastured. This complicates supply 
 and selling price for the producer of 
 seeds of common strains. 
 
 Many strains exhibiting greater dis- 
 ease resistance, better feed qualities, and 
 higher yields have been, and are being 
 developed. It is believed that such strains 
 present the potential California seed 
 grower with the greatest opportunity. It 
 must be remembered that the demand 
 for these improved strains is still com- 
 paratively small. Volume of future use 
 will depend largely on the retail price 
 of the seed. It is well established that 
 many good grasses are not being used be- 
 cause the seed costs too much. 
 
 Cost of production 
 
 The costs of producing a grass seed 
 crop vary with soil, climate, weed prob- 
 lems, water, and labor. It is not possible 
 to give representative figures, but per- 
 acre costs should be similar to those for 
 producing alfalfa seed in the same area. 
 
 Processing and cleaning 
 
 Seeds of some grasses, especially 
 among the warm-weather grasses, have 
 appendages and/or hairs that cause the 
 
 [4] 
 
seeds to cling to each other and to the 
 straw, when being threshed or cleaned. 
 These appendages and hairs must be re- 
 moved, to simplify cleaning, handling, 
 and marketing. 
 
 Marketing 
 
 Seed companies and cooperatives have 
 well-organized marketing arrangements 
 throughout the areas of maj or grass seed 
 use. They are also in touch with chang- 
 ing supply and demand. Farmers inter- 
 ested in growing grass seed crops are ad- 
 vised to plan and work with a seed com- 
 pany or cooperative in selecting the 
 species to be grown and marketing of 
 the crop. 
 
 The table on page 8 lists the currently 
 recognized strains of grasses released and 
 recommended by the experiment stations 
 in the areas of major use. It is difficult 
 to prepare an up-to-date list because 
 government agencies and state experi- 
 ment stations are constantly working to 
 improve the performance of grasses. 
 
 Predicting yields for any area of the 
 state or for any farm is a highly specu- 
 lative matter because of the wide varia- 
 tions in soil, climate, available water, 
 and grower skill. In addition the seed- 
 production capabilities of some strains 
 within a species may appear to be low 
 because of inadequate testing, but could 
 
 respond favorably to different climatic 
 conditions. 
 
 Other income 
 
 The straw produced by a seed crop is 
 a valuable stock roughage when properly 
 handled to preserve the properties of 
 good hay. In some areas it is especially 
 valued as feed for horses. 
 
 Pasturing seed fields for additional 
 income has distinct disadvantages. In 
 the older seed-producing areas of the 
 U.S., where much of the seed is produced 
 in solid stands, fields are often used as 
 pastures in the fall, or spring, or both. 
 Under such treatment the stands are 
 weakened by trampling, heavy grazing, 
 and the introduction of weeds. Seed 
 yields and quality are consequently 
 lowered, and the seed crop rapidly be- 
 comes incidental to pasturage. 
 
 Grasses improve soil 
 
 Grass seed crops are noted for return- 
 ing large amounts of organic matter to 
 the soil. Their extensive fibrous root 
 system opens the soil below normal plow 
 depth, and partial renewal of the root 
 system each year adds organic matter. 
 Also, the cultivation necessary to control 
 weeds leaves the land in much better 
 condition for other crops. 
 
 THE TYPES OF GRASSES 
 
 Some do better in cooler climates; some 
 require warmer temperatures 
 
 With few exceptions, all economic 
 grasses are used either for turf or for 
 livestock feed — as irrigated or dryland 
 pasture, hay, silage, or range. These 
 grasses can be divided into two groups, 
 according to season of growth. 
 
 Winter, or cool-season, grasses 
 
 This group contains by far the larger 
 number of grass species of economic im- 
 
 portance. Most important in this group, 
 because of the greater volumes of seed 
 required, are tall fescue; orchardgrass ; 
 smooth brome; timothy; crested, tall, 
 intermediate, and pubescent wheatgrass; 
 Merion and Kentucky bluegrass; the 
 several strains of bentgrass ; the lawn or 
 turf types of fescues, such as red and 
 sheep fescue; and the annual and peren- 
 nial ryegrasses. Also important — but on 
 
 [5] 
 
a smaller acreage — are hardinggrass, 
 mountain brome, prairie brome, veldt- 
 grass, tall oatgrass, and blando brome. 
 
 Grasses in this group grow more 
 vigorously during the fall, spring, and 
 early summer than during the heat of 
 summer. They characteristically begin 
 developing or maturing a seed crop as 
 the days become longer in the spring. 
 
 Seed production capabilities of these 
 grasses are affected by winter tempera- 
 tures and day length, though there is 
 considerable variation in response be- 
 tween and within species. Some, like 
 bluegrass, have rather exacting winter 
 temperature requirements that few areas 
 in California can meet. The winter 
 optimum temperature requirements for 
 most of these grasses are not precisely 
 known. However, it is quite probable 
 that bluegrass, timothy, smooth brome, 
 bentgrass, red and sheep fescues, wheat- 
 grass, and orchardgrass have rather 
 exacting temperature requirements for 
 high seed yield. The latter ones are per- 
 haps less sensitive. There may also be 
 considerable variation in tolerance to 
 high daytime temperatures in the early 
 summer during flowering and seed de- 
 velopment. 
 
 Summer, or warm-weather, grasses 
 
 Very few warm — or hot-weather spe- 
 cies have a seed market volume approach- 
 ing that enjoyed by most cool-weather 
 species because they are used only in 
 localized areas. Examples of the more 
 important summer-growing grasses are 
 rhodesgrass, dallisgrass, sideoats grama, 
 sand lovegrass, weeping lovegrass, 
 switchgrass, bluestems, and blue panic. 
 
 There is a considerable variation in 
 cold tolerance among and within species 
 of these summer-growing grasses. For 
 example, most varieties of rhodesgrass 
 seldom withstand winter temperatures 
 
 Experimental fields of grass seed varieties at 
 Davis. Left to right, sideoats grama, switch- 
 grass, and sand lovegrass. 
 
 at Davis, California; other grasses go 
 completely dormant with new basal 
 growth emerging from the crown area 
 in early spring ; still others, like the love- 
 grasses, exhibit a considerable amount 
 of green, but dormant, vegetation 
 throughout the winter. 
 
 The greater part of the vegetative 
 growth of warm-weather grasses takes 
 place during the summer months. Seed 
 is produced in mid-summer or Septem- 
 ber or October, depending on the species. 
 Sideoats grama, weeping lovegrass, blue 
 panic, rhodesgrass, and dallisgrass nor- 
 mally produce a seed crop in June or 
 July. If growing conditions are ideal 
 and long, they can produce a second 
 crop. The second crop, maturing in Sep- 
 tember or October, may be profitable if 
 flowering and seed development have 
 not been damaged by too high tempera- 
 tures. Sand lovegrass and switchgrass 
 produce but one seed crop which ma- 
 tures in late September. 
 
 Although this group of grasses requires 
 the hot summer weather, seed yields are 
 often reduced if temperatures are un- 
 usually high at flowering. 
 
THE PRODUCTION AREAS . . 
 
 extend from cool, mountain valleys 
 to the warmer coastal plains 
 
 Mountain valleys of 
 intermediate elevation 
 
 Generally speaking, the cool-season 
 grasses can be expected to produce 
 highest seed yields under the cooler fall 
 and spring temperatures in mountain 
 valleys at intermediate elevations (usu- 
 ally above 2000 and below 5000 feet). 
 Species requiring more exacting winter 
 temperatures for maximum seed produc- 
 tion, do better at the higher elevations. 
 However, at these elevations, late spring 
 frosts can greatly reduce seed yields. 
 
 Central Valley 
 
 Warm-weather grasses should do well 
 as seed crops in the Central Valley. Much 
 of this area is at or near the minimum 
 requirements of the more exacting spe- 
 cies that need low winter temperatures. 
 Their economic production in the Cen- 
 tral Valley is questionable in most years. 
 
 Other cool-weather grasses can produce 
 reasonable yields. However, the relative 
 shortness of the cool period in the spring 
 may prevent maximum yield of some 
 species. (See table, page 8.) 
 
 Coastal valleys 
 
 Some of the cool-weather grasses de- 
 manding less critical winter temperatures 
 may be adapted to the coastal areas. 
 
 The warmer coastal areas — in Ventura 
 and Santa Barbara counties, for example 
 — may, with adequate irrigation, pro- 
 duce profitable seed crops of summer 
 grasses. The summer weather, however, 
 must be warm enough to mature the seed 
 crops. Foggy coastal areas of prolonged 
 high humidities and low light intensities 
 may not mature a seed crop of the sum- 
 mer grasses, and plant diseases (like 
 rust and mildew) may prevent eco- 
 nomical production of most grasses. 
 
Grass Species Recommended by Experiment Stations in Areas of Use 
 
 Crop 8 
 
 Area of major use 
 
 Market b 
 
 Yields 
 generally 
 expected 
 lbs. /acre 
 
 California 
 
 areas best 
 
 suited for 
 
 production* 1 
 
 Suggested 
 seeding 
 
 rates 
 lbs./acre 
 
 Bentgrass 
 
 (Agrostis spp.) 
 
 Astoria* 
 
 Highland* 
 
 Bromegrass, Smooth 
 (Bromus inermus) 
 
 Achenback* 
 
 Elsberry 
 
 Fisher* 
 
 Lancaster* 
 
 Lyon* 
 
 Manchar* 
 
 Saratoga* 
 
 Southland* 
 
 Commercial 
 
 Bluegrass 
 
 (Poapratensis) 
 
 Merion* 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 Delta 
 
 Arboretum 
 
 Newport 
 
 Fescue, Tall 
 
 (Festuca arundinaeea) 
 
 Alta* 
 
 Kentucky 31* 
 
 Goars* 
 
 Fescue, Red 
 (F. rubera) 
 
 Illahee* 
 
 Rainier* 
 
 Pennlawn* 
 
 Creeping Red Fescue 
 
 (F. comutata) 
 Chewings Fescue . . . 
 
 U.S. 
 U.S. 
 
 Kans. 
 la -Mo. 
 la. 
 
 Nebr. 
 Nebr. 
 Ida. 
 
 N.Y. 
 
 Okla. 
 
 U.S. 
 U.S. 
 U.S. 
 
 U.S. 
 U.S. 
 
 U.S. 
 S.E. U.S. 
 
 Calif. 
 
 U.S. 
 U.S. 
 
 U.S. 
 U.S. 
 
 U.S. 
 
 200 
 200 
 
 200-800 
 200-800 
 200-800 
 
 200-800 
 200-800 
 
 "600-900 
 *600-900 
 "600-900 
 
 300 
 
 300 
 
 ? 
 
 300 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 450 
 
 IM 
 
 ? 
 
 IM 
 
 ? 
 
 IM 
 
 ? 
 
 IM 
 
 ? 
 
 IM 
 
 350 
 
 IM 
 
 =400 
 
 IM 
 
 =500 
 
 IM 
 
 ? 
 
 IM 
 
 300 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 I M-C V 
 I M-C V 
 I M-C V 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 
 4-6 
 4-6 
 4-6 
 
 4-6 
 4-6 
 4-6 
 
 4-6 
 4-6 
 4-6 
 
 1-2 
 1-2 
 1-2 
 
 2-3 
 2-3 
 2-3 
 
 2-4 
 2-4 
 2-4 
 2-4 
 
 2-4 
 
 a Asterisk after species' name indicates that foundation or certified seed is available. 
 
 b E = extensive; L = limited. 
 
 Asterisk before yield figure indicates the seed production at Davis, California, from small plots. 
 
 d I M = Intermediate mountain elevation; C V = Central Valley. 
 
 [8] 
 
Crop 8 
 
 Area of major use 
 
 Market b 
 
 Yields 
 generally 
 expected 
 lbs. /acre 
 
 California 
 
 areas best 
 
 suited for 
 
 production* 1 
 
 Suggested 
 seeding 
 
 rates 
 lbs. /acre 
 
 Grama, Sideoats 
 
 (Bouteloua curtipendula) 
 
 El Reno* 
 
 Uvalde 
 
 Vaughn* 
 
 Coronado* 
 
 Tucson* 
 
 Hardinggrass* 
 
 (Phalaris tuberosa var. 
 stenoptera) 
 
 Lovegrass 
 
 (Erogrostis spp.) 
 
 Boer A-84* 
 
 Sand A-l 1527* 
 
 Neb. 27* 
 
 Weeping 
 
 Lehmann 
 
 Oatgrass, Tall 
 
 (Arrhenatherm elatius) 
 Tualatin* 
 
 Orchardgrass 
 
 (Dactylis glomerata) 
 
 Akaroa* 
 
 Ky. Select* 
 
 Latar* 
 
 Pennlate 
 
 Potomac* 
 
 Sandia 
 
 Commercial 
 
 Panicum spp. 
 
 Blue panic 
 
 (P. antidotale) 
 
 Switchgrass 
 (P. virgatum) 
 
 Blackwell* 
 
 Caddo* 
 
 Neb. 28* 
 
 Kans.-Okla. 
 
 Tex. 
 
 N. Mex. 
 
 N. Mex.-Okla. 
 Okla.-Tex. 
 
 Calif. 
 
 Ariz. 
 N. Mex. 
 Nebr. 
 
 Great Plains 
 Great Plains 
 
 Oreg. 
 
 West Coast 
 Ky. 
 
 Ida.-Wash.-Oreg. 
 Pa. 
 
 Md.-Va.-Pa. 
 N. Mex. 
 
 U.S. 
 
 Great Plains 
 
 Kans. 
 Okla. 
 Nebr. 
 
 N 400-600 
 400-600 
 '400-600 
 
 =400-600 
 =400-600 
 
 *600 
 
 *250 
 *800 
 *800 
 
 *900 
 ? 
 
 150-400 
 
 '500-600 
 500-600 
 
 ? 
 
 ? 
 
 700-800 
 ? 
 
 500-700 
 
 400-2,000 
 
 *800-l,000 
 ? 
 
 CV 
 CV 
 CV 
 
 CV 
 CV 
 
 CV 
 
 CV 
 CV 
 CV 
 
 CV 
 CV 
 
 IM 
 
 CV-IM 
 CV-IM 
 CV-IM 
 CV-IM 
 
 CV-IM 
 CV-IM 
 CV-IM 
 
 CV 
 
 CV 
 CV 
 CV 
 
 4-5 
 4-5 
 
 4-5 
 
 4-5 
 4-5 
 
 2-5 
 
 1-2 
 
 1-2 
 1-2 
 
 1-2 
 1-2 
 
 3-5 
 3-5 
 3-5 
 3-5 
 
 3-5 
 3-5 
 3-5 
 
 2-3 
 
 2-3 
 2-3 
 2-3 
 
 a Asterisk after species' name indicates that foundation or certified seed is available. 
 
 b E = extensive; L = limited. 
 
 c Asterisk before yield figure indicates the seed production at Davis, California, from small plots. 
 
 d I M = Intermediate mountain elevation; C V = Central Valley. 
 
 [9] 
 
Crop 3 
 
 Rescuegrass 
 
 (Bromus catharticus) 
 
 Prairie brome* 
 
 Chapel Hill 
 
 Lamont 
 
 Rhodesgrass 
 
 (Chloris gayana) 
 
 Timothy 
 
 (Phleum pratense) 
 
 Climax* 
 
 Drummond* 
 
 Essex* 
 
 Itasca* 
 
 Wheatgrass 
 
 (Agropyron spp.) 
 Crested (A. desertorum) 
 
 Nordan* 
 
 Summit* 
 
 Fairway (A . cristatum) 
 Commercial 
 
 Tall (A. elongatum) 
 
 Neb. 98526* 
 
 P-2326* 
 
 Alkar* 
 
 Beardless (A. inerme) 
 Whitmar* 
 
 Intermediate 
 04. intermedium) 
 
 Amur* 
 
 Greenar* 
 
 Mandan* 
 
 Neb. 50* 
 
 Pubescent 
 
 (A. trichophorum) 
 
 Mandan 479 
 
 Topar* 
 
 Area of major use 
 
 Calif. 
 N.C. 
 Miss. 
 
 So. U.S. 
 
 Canada 
 Canada 
 N.Y. 
 Minn. 
 
 N. Dak. 
 Canada 
 
 Oreg. -Wash. -Ida. 
 Mont.-Wyo. 
 
 Nebr. 
 Ida. 
 
 Wash. -Oreg. - 
 Ida.-Calif. 
 
 Wash. -Oreg. - 
 Calif. 
 
 Colo.-Nebr. 
 Ida.-Oreg.- 
 
 Wash.-Calif. 
 No. Great Plains 
 Nebr. 
 
 No. Dak. 
 
 Ida. -Oreg. 
 Calif. 
 
 Market b 
 
 Yields 
 generally 
 expected 
 lbs. /acre 
 
 *600-800 
 600-800 
 600-800 
 
 100-400 
 
 *400-500 
 '300-400 
 
 *300-400 
 
 *200-400 
 *200-400 
 *200-400 
 
 : 150 
 *42 
 
 ? 
 150 
 
 =100-150 
 =200-300 
 
 California 
 
 areas best 
 
 suited for 
 
 production d 
 
 cv 
 cv 
 cv 
 
 cv 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 IM 
 IM 
 
 a Asterisk after species' name indicates that foundation or certified seed is available. 
 
 b E = extensive; L = limited. 
 
 Asterisk before yield figure indicates the seed production at Davis, California, from small plots. 
 
 ll IM = Intermediate mountain elevation. C V = Central Valley. 
 
 10] 
 
CULTURAL PRACTICES 
 
 have to be learned by individual growers; 
 experience is probably the best teacher 
 
 Seedbed preparation 
 
 Stands will be most productive on the 
 better soils. Land selected for grass seed 
 production should be as free as possible 
 from weeds. Seedling perennial grasses 
 grow slowly and weeds can soon weaken 
 a good stand of young grass. In general, 
 soils should be loamy, friable, and easily 
 worked. A fine, firm seedbed, as used 
 for alfalfa seed production, will help 
 keep the seeds from being placed too 
 deep, and assure firm contact with the 
 soil. 
 
 For fall seeding, the land should be 
 spring-plowed and summer-fallowed; 
 cultivate if necessary to prevent weeds 
 from setting seed. Spring seeding should 
 be on land fallowed the previous year, 
 plowed early, and worked into a fine, 
 firm, weed-free condition. Before seed- 
 ing, the land should be harrowed lightly 
 to eliminate all germinating weed seeds. 
 
 Good seedbed preparation reduces 
 weed problems. In some circumstances 
 
 it may be advisable to irrigate weeds up 
 after the seedbed is prepared and spray 
 them out with a fortified oil spray before 
 seeding. 
 
 What to plant 
 
 Seed is the least expensive item in 
 production costs. Use only the best. 
 
 When possible, produce certified seed. 
 It will be more readily accepted in the 
 out-of-state market. 
 
 Most seed is grown for out-of-state 
 use and the California grower competes 
 in the market with the local growers. 
 Every advantage should be taken to turn 
 out the best possible product, and es- 
 tablish a reputation for quality seed. 
 When available, the foundation or 
 registered seed planted should be from 
 the area of use. This will ensure the 
 grower and the ultimate consumer that 
 the seed produced is the recognized and 
 recommended variety. Foundation or 
 registered seed costs more than common 
 
 A certified field of Coronctdo sideoats grama near Dunnigan, California. This field is com- 
 pletely weed free; uniform water application insures uniform growth and maturity. 
 
 ijiiiig^ w 
 
seed, but this is more than compensated 
 for by the assurance of pure seed which 
 is free of weeds and mixtures of other 
 types or strains. 
 
 When to plant 
 
 Perennial, cool-season grasses germi- 
 nate and emerge rather quickly when 
 soils are warm. Planting in the early fall 
 (preferably September) and irrigating 
 the stand up ensures larger and more 
 productive plants the following spring. 
 Such stands can often produce an ap- 
 preciable amount of seed in the first crop 
 year. Winter or spring seeding will pro- 
 duce little or no seed the first year, re- 
 quiring that the stand be carried through 
 the following winter before seed can be 
 produced. 
 
 In areas subject to severe frosts, seed- 
 ing should be done early enough in the 
 fall to ensure sizable plants before the 
 onset of winter weather, or the grower 
 may have to depend on late spring 
 seeding. 
 
 Warm-season grasses should be seeded 
 in the spring. Most will produce seed in 
 the same year of seeding. Seeding just 
 before the normal planting time for 
 sudangrass is usually safe. In some areas 
 of southern California it may be possible 
 for warm-season grasses to be seeded 
 before early fall, thereby producing a 
 heavier seed crop the following year. 
 
 Seeding 
 
 With few exceptions, the largest yields 
 are obtained by seeding in rows. This 
 allows the grower to cultivate for early 
 weed control, and later, hand-weeding 
 and roguing. In addition, equipment can 
 move freely in the field for insect and 
 disease control and fertilizer applica- 
 tions. Irrigation furrows between rows 
 help assure more even distribution of 
 water. 
 
 Row widths vary from 20 to 36 inches, 
 depending on the growth characteristics 
 of the grasses and the wheel spacings 
 
 of the agricultural equipment. Short 
 grasses, such as crested wheatgrass, bent- 
 grasses, red fescue, and bluegrass, will 
 generally produce more seed from nar- 
 rower row spacings. Tall grasses, such 
 as intermediate and tall wheatgrass, 
 orchardgrass, and switchgrass require 
 wider row spacings. 
 
 Seeds of the various grass species 
 differ in size from very small, such as 
 the lovegrasses, to much larger, such as 
 the bromegrasses. To ensure rapid and 
 maximum seedling emergence and a 
 uniform stand, the depth of seeding must 
 be carefully controlled. Depth bands 
 attached to double-disc furrow openers, 
 or any other positive depth regulator, 
 are satisfactory. Shoe-type openers, as 
 used on sugar beet and vegetable seed 
 planters, can also be used. 
 
 If the stand is expected to be irrigated 
 up in well-prepared, level seedbeds, very 
 shallow seeding gives the best results. 
 The small seeds, such as lovegrass, blue- 
 grass, bents, etc., should be placed no 
 deeper than one-fourth of an inch; 
 larger seeds, depending on size, should 
 not be placed deeper than one-half inch. 
 
 Use low seeding rates to prevent ex- 
 cessive crowding in the row. The seeder 
 should be able to deliver a uniform flow 
 of seed at low rates. Poor seed distribu- 
 tion can cause long skips in the row. 
 
 Nearly all types of seeders give good 
 results if used properly. Ordinary grass 
 seeders and fluted-feed grain drills will 
 handle most grass seeds when all drill 
 runs, except those necessary for the de- 
 sired row spacing, are covered. Multiple- 
 row bean and beet planters, with fluted- 
 feed type cans instead of the knock-out 
 plate type feed, have proved very suc- 
 cessful. Planet Jr. seeder units are used 
 quite successfully, but they work best for 
 free-flowing seeds. 
 
 The table on page 8 lists suggested 
 seeding rates. These are based on seed 
 of high purity and germination. A sub- 
 standard seedbed, or adverse conditions 
 would usually require higher rates. 
 
 [12] 
 
Don't compromise with weeds 
 
 A good grass seed producer never 
 allows weeds to mature in a seed field. 
 It is more economical to remove the 
 weeds in the field than from the har- 
 vested seed. Start with a clean field and 
 keep the weeds under control. Slow- 
 growing, seedling-grass stands can be 
 smothered out by fast-growing weeds. 
 
 Cultivation is the key to weed control, 
 but cultivate only when weed control 
 requires it. Cultivation should be dis- 
 continued when the crop is tall enough 
 to be injured by machinery moving 
 through the field. 
 
 Cultivations may be supplemented by 
 cautious use of chemical sprays. The 
 aerial portions of many grasses are 
 tolerant or resistant to 2,4-D, but the 
 roots may be very susceptible. As a pre- 
 caution, 2,4-D should not be applied to 
 a seedling-grass stand just before a rain 
 or an irrigation. An entire stand of 
 healthy hardinggrass seedlings was killed 
 when a very light rain just after spray- 
 ing washed the 2,4-D down into the root 
 zone. 
 
 2,4-D and selective dinitro sprays can 
 be used to eliminate broadleaved weeds. 
 However, no present chemical herbicide 
 can be recommended for selective con- 
 trol of contaminating grass weeds. These 
 must be controlled by cultivation. 
 
 Before sprays are used, grass plants 
 should be at least 2 to 3 inches high or 
 past the third- to fourth-leaf stage. There 
 has been no apparent damage to grass 
 plants when 2,4-D has been applied at 
 rates of three-quarter to one pound acid 
 equivalent per acre. 
 
 Manufacturer's recommendations as 
 to amounts of 2,4-D and dinitro selectives 
 to apply per acre should be followed. 
 The proper precautions should be taken 
 at all times in using weed sprays. It is 
 advisable to observe the effect of a spray 
 
 Seeds in these photos and the ones on pages 
 2 and 3 are approximately actual size. 
 
 J ' l 3** fy 
 
 SMOOTH BROME 
 
 3M, 
 
 
 
 
 %&:. 1 
 
 UEGRASS ~ Tr -2&* ,-• 
 
on a small section of row before applying 
 it to the entire field. 
 
 Insects and diseases 
 
 It is not possible to discuss here all the 
 diseases and insects that may attack or 
 become a problem on all grasses. Cut 
 worms, thrips, red spiders, and aphids 
 are perhaps the more important insects 
 that may be troublesome. Mildew, rust, 
 and smut are among the diseases known 
 to attack some grass seed crops in Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 Soil fertility 
 
 It is impossible to make definite fer- 
 tilization recommendations for all Cali- 
 fornia conditions. Known soil deficien- 
 cies should be corrected. Most grasses 
 respond in seed yield and vegetative 
 growth to rather high rates of nitrogen. 
 It should be remembered, however, that 
 response to fertilizers varies greatly with 
 soil and previous cropping history. Each 
 grower must determine his exact needs 
 by field tests and experience in his area. 
 
 A seedling stand will benefit by an 
 application of 20 to 30 pounds of nitro- 
 gen broadcast, or banded below the drill 
 row at seeding. Phosphorus and potash 
 may also be added to help stimulate 
 early and rapid root development. Band- 
 ing the fertilizer is preferred where weeds 
 may be serious. 
 
 Grasses vary widely in the amount of 
 nitrogen they can profitably use in pro- 
 ducing a high-yielding seed crop. Some, 
 such as bluegrass, switchgrass, and blue 
 panic, can benefit from applications of 
 150 to 250 pounds or more of nitrogen 
 per acre. Others, such as the sideoats 
 gramas, will use about 50 pounds per acre 
 
 per seed crop. Until more specific in- 
 formation is obtained for each, it is felt 
 that, as a general rule, the cool-season 
 grasses will benefit more, as a seed crop, 
 when new growth is encouraged in early 
 fall. About one-third of the total nitrogen 
 should be applied by the first of Sep- 
 tember, another third by the last of 
 October, and the remainder in early 
 spring when the plants resume growth. 
 Fertilizer applications for warm-season 
 grasses should start just before resump- 
 tion of new growth in the spring. Two 
 or more applications should be spaced 
 to provide ample nitrogen through the 
 growing season for each seed crop. The 
 last applications should be the lightest. 
 
 Irrigation 
 
 The root systems of many perennial 
 grasses penetrate the soil to depths of 
 five feet or more. However, the maximum 
 effective working depth of this root 
 system is perhaps less than two and one- 
 half feet. The first two feet of soil con- 
 tain the bulk of the root system that sup- 
 ports the rather large volume of vegeta- 
 tive growth accumulated in producing a 
 seed crop. The frequency and amount of 
 water applied to keep this soil volume 
 above the wilting point will depend in 
 part on the water-holding capacity of 
 the soil. 
 
 Yields are highest and seed heaviest 
 if seed fields are never allowed to become 
 stressed for lack of soil moisture. Irri- 
 gations should continue as close to har- 
 vest as possible. 
 
 After harvest the irrigation schedule 
 can be lengthened. Water is applied only 
 when necessary to keep the stand alive 
 until time to resume vigorous growth for 
 the next season's crop. 
 
 YOUR BEST SOURCE OF LOCAL INFORMATION on the growing of grass seed is your University 
 of California Farm Advisor Office. The services of these trained agricultural experts are yours 
 for the asking. 
 
 [14] 
 
HARVESTING . . . 
 
 is an extremely critical operation 
 as to timing and machine efficiency 
 
 When to harvest 
 
 The actual date of harvest is de- 
 termined by careful observation of the 
 maturing stand. As grasses mature, the 
 seed goes through the stages of : 1 ) milky, 
 2) soft dough, 3) medium dough, 4) 
 hard dough. 
 
 The crop should not be harvested until 
 the majority of the maturing heads 
 throughout the field are entering the hard 
 dough stage — usually about the time the 
 top seeds in the head have just started 
 to shatter. This can be determined by 
 gently tapping the grass head in the palm 
 of the hand. 
 
 If the crop is harvested much before 
 the hard-dough stage, a large percentage 
 of the seeds will be light and shriveled, 
 and of low viability. It is imperative that 
 all harvesting equipment be ready for 
 use at least one week before the expected 
 date harvesting is to begin. Under hot, 
 dry conditions the change from medium- 
 to hard-dough can be very rapid. A few 
 days during this critical period can carry 
 
 the crop past the best harvesting stage 
 and result in excessive seed shatter. 
 
 Harvesting methods 
 
 Binding. Under most California con- 
 ditions, binding the crop for delivery to 
 a central curing and threshing area is 
 costly in equipment and labor, and 
 results in excessive seed losses in the 
 field. 
 
 The cutter bar of the binder should 
 have lifter-type guards mounted to run 
 along each side of the grass rows. Some 
 guards are extended with snub-nosed 
 shoes. 
 
 Modification of the binder to save 
 shattered seeds can result in saving as 
 much as 10 per cent of the seed crop. 
 The grain wheel end of the horizontal 
 binder platform is extended out, up, and 
 around the outside platform draper roll 
 to prevent shattered seed from being car- 
 ried out and onto the ground. Sheet metal 
 is fastened over the "bull wheel," extend- 
 ing down beneath the elevator draper on 
 
 Sand lovegrass (left) has open, feathery panicles with small flowers. Care is needed in thresh- 
 ing to prevent seed being blown out of the back of the machine with the straw. The great volume 
 of plant material in switchgrass (right) makes it necessary to thresh at a low acre-per-hour rate 
 to prevent overloading the machine and losing excessive amounts of seed. 
 
 Wmmmm^m'- * - 
 
the one side and the tying platform on 
 the other, keeping clear of the twine run 
 and the bunching and tying ringers. To 
 catch all seeds from the two drapers, a 
 heavy, tapered pan is hung beneath the 
 inside roller of the horizontal platform 
 draper and the edge of the sheet metal 
 under the elevator draper. 
 
 A box mounted on the bundle carrier, 
 or a heavy pan dragged on the ground 
 under the tying platform, will catch the 
 seed from the tying platform and save 
 the shattered seed when the bundle is 
 kicked out. The bundles should be forked 
 off and placed gently on the ground to 
 be shocked, or loaded into a vehicle with 
 a seed-tight bed for transport to a central 
 curing area. Rough or unnecessary han- 
 dling should be avoided. Growers main- 
 tain that the value of the seed saved by 
 these pans on a binder is often enough 
 to pay the harvesting costs. Shatter losses 
 can be further reduced by binding and 
 shocking in the early morning, when the 
 plants are damp with dew. 
 
 Direct combining. Direct combining 
 of the standing seed crop is practical only 
 with grasses that cure well while stand- 
 ing and do not shatter, such as a few 
 species of wheatgrass. Practically all 
 other grasses shatter, resulting in high 
 loss when strong winds are prevalent at 
 harvesttime. 
 
 When the seed crop is direct-combined, 
 the high moisture content of the seed 
 and chaff that is delivered to the grain 
 tank causes heating in a very short time. 
 Provisions must be made for artificial 
 drying or spreading on a tight-floored 
 area for drying. Since the green material 
 in the grain tank readily bridges, it is 
 difficult and time consuming to empty 
 the grain tank with the grain auger. 
 
 No satisfactory method has been found 
 to "spray-cure" the seed crop. The great- 
 est problem is preventing the spray ma- 
 terial from contacting the seed and there- 
 by reducing germination. 
 
 Windrow curing with combine 
 pickup. Harvesting trials have not been 
 
 r \ I Grain 
 
 PlftHorm b e e e ftt ^ 
 
 Chain and 
 slat feeder 
 conveyor 
 
 \ VXeader 
 hin^e axis 
 
 ciean 
 grain 
 e levator 
 
 ivider 
 
 Cutter 
 bar 
 
 Straw Walkers 
 (or one-piece 
 straw rack) 
 
 Tailings 
 e levator 
 
 Platform 
 
 Grain Pan 
 ^r chain and 
 slat conveyor) 
 
 Clean- 
 auger 
 
 \yfi( 
 
 ky\ Grain return 
 |*L\ pans (or chain 
 ^\?\and slat conveyor) 
 
 
 ° jO\Chaffer 
 ^-^y\ extension 
 
 Shoe 
 sieve 
 
 V Tailings 
 \ auger 
 
 grain 
 
 Chaffer 
 sieve 
 
 Cross section of a typical combine showing the various parts referred to in this publication. 
 
 [16] 
 
Approximate Number of Seeds Per Pound and 
 Suggested Cylinder Speed and Concave Clearance 
 
 Species 
 
 Approximate no. seeds 
 per pound 
 (pure seed) 
 
 Suggested cylinder speed and 
 concave clearance settings a 
 
 Cylinder 
 speed 
 
 Concave 
 clearance 
 
 Bentgrass 
 
 Smoothbrome 
 
 Tall fescue 
 
 Red and chewings fescue 
 
 Sideoats grama 
 
 Hardinggrass 
 
 Lovegrass 
 
 Tall oatgrass 
 
 Orchardgrass 
 
 Switchgrass 
 
 Blue panic 
 
 Rescuegrass 
 
 Rhodesgrass 
 
 Timothy 
 
 Bluegrass 
 
 Crested wheatgrass 
 
 Intermediate wheatgrass 
 Tall wheatgrass 
 
 ,000,000-8,000,000 
 170,000-200,000 
 225,000 
 565,000 
 125,000 Clusters 
 350,000 
 1,300,000 
 130,000 
 650,000 
 80,000-100,000 
 650,000 
 68,000 
 1,700,000 
 1,319,000 
 2,200,000 
 165,000-200,000 
 88,000 
 79,000 
 
 rpm 
 
 5,900-8,000 fpm b 
 
 1,000 
 
 1,000 
 
 1,000 
 1,200-1,600 
 
 900-1,300 
 
 1,500 
 
 1,000 
 1,000-1,300 
 
 1,500 
 
 1,500 
 
 1,400 
 1,100-1,400 
 
 1,400 
 5,900-8,500 fpm b 
 
 1,400 
 
 1,300 
 
 1,500 
 
 inches 
 
 1/16-3/32 
 3/8 
 
 1/4 
 
 1/4 
 
 3/8 
 
 3/8 
 
 1/8 
 
 1/4 
 
 1/8 
 
 1/4 
 
 1/4 
 
 3/8 
 
 1/8 
 
 1/8 
 
 1/16-3/32 
 
 1/4-3/8 
 
 1/4-3/8 
 
 1/4-3/8 
 
 a These should be used as a starting point, and adjustments made to suit conditions. 
 
 b "rpm" is not a satisfactory method of expressing cylinder speeds. Threshing action is dependent on the 
 peripheral speed of the outside edge of a cylinder bar or the tip of a spike tooth on the cylinder. This depends on 
 the diameter of the cylinder. Since diameters vary with make and model of combines and threshers, feet per minute 
 is a more accurate measurement. 
 
 Use the following equation to find the cylinder speed in revolutions per minute (rpm) for any given cylinder 
 diameter and cylinder peripheral speed in feet per minute (f pm) . 
 
 cylinder peripheral speed (fpm) 
 
 Cylinder rpm = 
 
 3.14 X cylinder diameter in feet 
 
 run on all the grasses mentioned. So far, 
 however, the most practical method of 
 harvesting has been windrowing the crop 
 with a center-delivery, self-propelled 
 swather. When the crop has cured it can 
 be threshed from the windrow by a self- 
 propelled combine equipped with a pick- 
 up attachment. 
 
 Windrowing must be done at night or 
 when the plants are damp with dew and 
 less subject to shatter. For the cutter bar 
 to operate satisfactorily in the short, 
 straw-heavy growth, the forward speed 
 of the windrower should be quite slow 
 — about 1 to 1.5 mph. Higher speeds will 
 result in incomplete cutting. A correctly 
 positioned fix-bat-type reel driven 20 to 
 30 per cent over ground speed will keep 
 
 the cut material moving away from the 
 cutter bar and shatter a minimum of 
 seed. 
 
 Threshing with a self-propelled com- 
 bine can usually start three to five days 
 after windrowing, depending on crop 
 and weather conditions. The forward 
 speed must be slow (0.5 to 1.0 acre per 
 hour) to prevent overloading the ma- 
 chine. The peripheral speed of the pickup 
 attachment should be no more than 10 
 to 15 per cent greater than the combine 
 ground speed. 
 
 Threshing. Threshing grass seed is 
 usually not difficult if adjustments are 
 made to accommodate the characteristics 
 of the crop being harvested. Here are a 
 
 [17] 
 
few important suggestions often over- 
 looked by some growers. 
 
 A pan carried under the body of a 
 harvester can save the seed that leaks out 
 of the auger housings, elevators, and be- 
 tween the walls and moving parts. 
 
 Most grass seeds do not readily sepa- 
 rate from the straw. The machine must be 
 fed slowly enough to handle the straw 
 without carrying good seed out of the 
 machine with the straw. 
 
 Because most grass seeds are very 
 light, very little air can be used on the 
 shoe sieves. It is often necessary to re- 
 move some of the fan blades, block off 
 the air intake, or disconnect the fan 
 entirely, to sufficiently reduce the air 
 velocity in the shoe. 
 
 Each grass species requires a different 
 adjustment of cylinder speed and con- 
 caves, sieve opening or types of sieve, 
 and air control to prevent injury and 
 excessive loss of seed. Adjustments will 
 also vary with daily and seasonal con- 
 
 ditions. The best adjustments for any 
 particular grass are learned only through 
 experience. 
 
 Excessive loss of threshed seed in the 
 straw and over the shoe usually indicates 
 that too much material is being fed into 
 the machine. Excessive loss of threshed 
 seed over the shoe can also result from 
 too much air or insufficient opening of 
 the top sieve. Unthreshed seed loss 
 is usually associated with insufficient 
 cylinder speed, cylinder-concave clear- 
 ance, or too few teeth in the concaves. 
 Broken seed in the grain tank is nearly 
 always the result of excessive cylinder 
 speeds. 
 
 Limit the operation to threshing. 
 Cleaning can best be done in the seed 
 cleaning plant with machines made spe- 
 cifically for that purpose. 
 
 The regular checking of the straw 
 carrier and shoe sieves for blockages is 
 necessary for a good threshing job. 
 
 18] 
 
REMEMBER . . . 
 
 The growers most successful in producing consistently high grass seed 
 yields are those who recognize the value of these recommendations: 
 
 1. Use the best and most productive soil available. Soils unsuited for 
 other crops are not likely to produce maximum grass seed yields. 
 
 2. Well graded and leveled land permits uniform water application 
 that is necessary for uniform maturity of the field. Dry or wet areas 
 within a field speed and delay maturity respectively, reducing yield 
 average. 
 
 3. Careful attention must be given to seedbed preparation and seed- 
 ing. An even, vigorous, uniform stand competes well with weeds; blank 
 spaces or thin spots invite weeds. A uniform stand promotes uniform seed 
 maturity. 
 
 4. Establish clean, weed-free stands. Each operation to remove weed 
 seeds in seed cleaning also removes crop seeds. The more difficult the 
 cleaning problem, the more good seed is lost. 
 
 5. For maximum yields, water and fertilizer applications must be ade- 
 quate and timely. 
 
 6. Crop damage by disease, insects, or rodents must be recognized 
 and checked early. 
 
 7. Adjust general recommendations as required by local conditions of 
 soil and climate. 
 
 8. Choose the method of harvest best suited to individual needs or 
 circumstances. Some methods are usually more economical than others. 
 Regardless of the method used, careful attention to proper operation 
 is necessary to get the seed produced into the grain tank or sack. A 
 great part of the profit from grass seed production can often be found 
 on the ground after harvest. 
 
 Co-operative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, College of Agriculture, University of California, and United States Department of Agriculture 
 co-operating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, and June 30, 1914. George B. Alcorn, Director, California Agricultural Extension Service. 
 
 10m-3,'60(A6048)WP 
 
^v 
 
 AGRONOMY TRAINING 
 
 leads to many careers 
 
 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES 
 
 RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
 
 FARMING 
 
 Agronomy deals with the production and 
 improvement of field crops, pastures, and 
 rangelands. 
 
 Agronomic crops are grown on more than 
 half of California's agricultural land. 
 
 Trained agronomists are needed to 
 produce more foodstuffs, 
 handle speciality crops, 
 develop improved varieties, 
 devise and apply scientific methods. 
 
 Training at Davis has special advantages: 
 Instructors who are leaders in their fields, 
 and are active in research on today's farm 
 problems. 
 
 The University farm, for practice and ex- 
 periment in one of the nation's richest farm 
 areas. 
 
 Modern facilities, for better study and re- 
 search. 
 
 An uncrowded campus, with many new 
 buildings. 
 
 Letters and Science college on the same 
 campus, broadening the scope of education. 
 
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
 
 on agronomy write to Maurice L. Peterson. 
 opportunities chairman, agronomy depart- 
 ment. 
 
 on entrance 
 requirements 
 
 on college 
 opportunities 
 
 write to Howard B. Shontz, 
 office of the registrar. 
 
 see your County Farm Ad- 
 visor for college entrance 
 counsel. 
 
 CAREERS IN 
 
 farm management 
 
 farm operation 
 
 seed processing 
 
 seed marketing 
 
 agricultural industry 
 
 farm supply houses 
 
 farm service houses 
 
 teaching 
 
 research 
 
 Agricultural Extension 
 
 Service 
 
 crop improvement 
 
 associations 
 
 departments of agriculture 
 
 University of California * Davis, Calif. 
 
 STUDY INCLUDES 
 
 management 
 
 adaptation 
 
 plant breeding 
 
 culture 
 
 utilization 
 
 processing of cereals 
 
 oil crops 
 
 cotton 
 
 sugar beets 
 
 beans 
 
 hay crops 
 
 range plants 
 
 irrigated pastures 
 
 distribution 
 
 variety improvement 
 
 soil management 
 
 weed control 
 
 crop diseases 
 
 animal husbandry 
 
 agricultural machinery