Harvestingīluegrass cultivars flower early and their seed is usually ripe by mid-July. Seeding rates for the companion crop should be reduced by one third to one half of the normal seeding rate. If a companion crop must be used, choose one such as flax which offers relatively less competition. Kentucky bluegrass is preferably seeded without a companion crop since these crops are too competitive and impede tiller development. The lower rates are used on fertile, moist, well-prepared seedbeds and/or for cultivars which tiller profusely. Usually, the range is from one to four lb/acre (one to four kg/ha). The rate of seeding will vary with seedbed preparation, the time of seeding and the cultivar. Seeding in 12 inch(30 cm) rows is recommended if moisture is adequate wider spacings may be used in drier conditions. The seed should be placed no deeper than 1/4 inch(6 mm). Stands can be established through late spring and summer up to late August, but fewer tillers will be induced to produce seed heads the following year. Spring seedlings have a long period to develop tillers before the critical fall temperature/light induction period. Seeding in spring is generally best because temperature and moisture conditions are usually ideal for germination and emergence. Just before seeding, the field should be fertilized according to soil test recommendation, then worked lightly and packed. Fallowing will also ensure the preparation of a fine, firm seedbed.Ī soil test should be taken in the fall to determine the status of soil nutrients. The tillage operation may be preceded by an application of Roundup to control quackgrass and other serious perennial weeds. The selected site should be fallowed the year before the stand is established. Consequently, for the production of certified seed, isolation distances from other bluegrasses is only 17 feet (five metres). The bluegrasses are apomictic this means they produce seed without fertilization. Annual precipitation of 20 inches (50 cm) is considered adequate for production of forage or seed. In Manitoba, seed yields are highest on clay or loam soils. The field chosen for seed production should be free of quackgrass, other perennial weeds and impediments such as stones which interfere with tillage, seeding and harvest. For seed production management, practices must be directed toward producing healthy, large tillers before the fall seed induction period. Good seed yields require adequate fall growth, often coupled with thinning of stands, to reduce excess competition among tillers. Less well-developed tillers cannot respond to the light-temperature stimulus and never produce flower heads. At that time they react with the shorter days and cooler temperatures to grow flowers. Seedlings develop slowly but produce many tillers which must reach a certain size or stage of growth by fall. Growers should contact the various members of the Canadian seed trade for the current price being paid for Kentucky bluegrass seed. The price fluctuates in response to the general economy and the amount of activity in the housing industry. The major market for this seed is the lawn grass industry. Growers report yields of 300 to 600 lbs/acres (350 to 675 kg/ha). The climate and soils in Manitoba are well adapted to the production of Kentucky bluegrass. It grows best in humid areas at air temperatures between 15 and 32☌ and is one of our most cold-hardy grasses. However, it is most productive on fertile well-drained soils with a pH greater than five. Kentucky bluegrass is adapted to a wide range of mineral and organic soils. Cultivars range from short to medium height one to three inches (2 to 8 cm). Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season, sod-forming perennial grass. Kentucky Bluegrass Seed Production Introduction
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