Agrostis stolonifera
Description (of sub-species A.s. Gigantea – Redtop)
Morphology
Medium-sized plant (50-100 cm), stems have rhizomes, sometimes emitting radicant stolons with nodes, forming a sparse lawn. Stems are wavy, ascending or straight. Ligula is long, limbs are short (10-30 cm), large (3-6 mm), flat. Inflorescence in shape of panicle, broad, not contracted after flowering; uniflora spikelets. Almost exclusively allogamous n=21.
Grain is wrapped in husk, yellowish brown. TKW= 0,05 to 0,1 g.
Geography
Originally found in Europe and temperate Asia, it is found today around the Mediterranean basin (France, Iberian Peninsula, and North Africa). In Morocco, it grows mainly in the mountains.
Culture
Chemical Composition
| In % | Water | Nitrogen | Fat | Soluble carbohydrates | Fibrous carbohydrates | Ashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forage: green | 80 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 11.6 | 5.1 | 1.4 |
| Forage: hay | 20 | 5.5 | 1.8 | 46.6 | 20.4 | 5.7 |
Usage
Bent grass is mostly used in pastures and in meadows planned for long term mowing. It associates very well with some other species (lotus, fescue, sweet-grass) but does not support the competition that well.
Adapted very well to wetlands (even flooded areas), it is frequently used in certain coastal areas with swampy soil. It can also support periods of drought (winter and summer) as long as they are not too long.
This species is used in lawns and golfing green, as it supports very close-cropped mowing.
Techniques
| Seedlings | Period | Spacing | Depth | Amount sown | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In rows or dibbling | After the first autumn rains | 50-70 cm (40-60 in dibbling) | 2-3 cm | 5-6 kg/ha | Blossoms and ripens late, after cereals |
Creeping bent grass provides one cut, then is used for grazing.
| In q/ha | In green | In hay | In grain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 120-240 | 30-60 | 2-5 |