Growth and forage quality of three Bromus species native to western Canada

Abstract

There is growing interest in revegetating disturbed areas with native plant species; thus seed sources for appropriate native species need to be developed. In this study, we compared growth and forage quality of three native Bromus species (Bromus carinatus, B. ciliatus, and B. anomalus) collected in central Alberta with growth and forage quality of three domestic forage species (B. riparius Rehm., B. inermis Leyss., and Dactylis glomerata L.). Eight establishment year-locations were used for experiments conducted between 1993 and and 1996 at six locations in western Canada. Seedling establishment measured in 4 year-locations indicated that all native Bromus species established as well as the domestic bromegrasses, and that B. carinatus exceeded seedling establishment of the domestic bromegrasses. Bromus carinatus either yielded the same or less dry matter (DM) that the domestic bromegrasses, the same or more than D. glomerata, and more than B. ciliatus or B. anomalus. Bromus carinatus was either as tall as or shorter than the domestic bromegrasses, as tall as D. glomerata, and taller than Bromus ciliatus and B. anomalus. Bromus carinatus was more prone to lodging than B. ciliatus, B. anomalus, or the domestic species. These native Bromus species appear to have the required establishment potential and productivity to be suitable for reseeding disturbed areas and fill the niche where native species are required. Key words: Bromus, dry matter, crude protein, dry matter digestibility, acid detergent fibre, smooth bromegrass, meadow bromegrass