Table 4. Grasses and legumes used for conservation plantings
| Crops |
Remarks |
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| Agrostis alba L. (Redtop) |
Quite tolerant of acidic, poorly drained soils. Emerges quickly to form protective cover. Is low growing and spreads by stolons or creeping stems. Although vigorous in the seedling stage, redtop does not seriously compete with slower-growing species. Seed 5 to 10 lb per acre. |
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| Alopecurus arundinaceus Poir. (Creeping Foxtail) |
A broadleaf, cool-season grass that grows well on wet, acid soils. Plants are strongly rhizomatous aand start growth early in the spring. Light, fluffy seeds and slow seedling development sometimes make planting and establishment difficult. Seed 5 to 10 lb per acre. |
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| Andropogon geradi Vitman (Big Bluestem) and Andropogon scoparium Michx. (Little Bluestem) |
Warm-season grasses having dense root systems and growing in large clumps. Under favorable conditions big bluestem grows up to 6 ft. tall and little bluestem up to 3 ft. tall. Little bluestem is more drought resistant than big bluestem. Seed 10 to 15 lb per acre. |
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|
| Bromus inermis Leyss. (Smooth Bromegrass) |
A winter-hardy forage grass, which spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a coarse, dense sod. Is very tolerant of heat and drought. Grows on diverse soil types but is not tolerant of poorly drained areas. Has good seedling vigor but is slow to establish a sod. Seed 10 to 20 lb per acre. |
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| Coronilla varia L. (Crownvetch) |
A wind-hardy perennial legume that requires well or moderately well-drained soils. Spreads by creeping underground roots. Will persist on moderately acid soils, but seedling growth and establishment are improved by liming acid soils before planting. Seed 10 to 15 lb per acre |
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| Eragrostis curvula(Schrad.) (Weeping Lovegrass) |
A warm-season bunchgrass having rapid early growth. Spreads by tillering so that individual plants can be 12 to 15 in. in diameter in 2 to 3 years. Will grow on low-fertility soils. Seed 1 to 3 lb per acre |
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| Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) (Tall Fescue) |
Tolerates poor drainage and can survive flooding in the winter. Will grow on alkaline or saline soils. Although considered a bunch-type grass, tall fescue spreads slowly by short rhizomes. Produces a coarse, tough turf that resists traffic. Not as winter-hardy as smooth bromegrass or timothy. Seed 10 to 25 lb per acre |
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| Festuca rubra L. (Creeping Red Fescue) |
A cool-season grass that spreads by underground stems. Adapted to a wide range of soil types. Tolerant of dry sites and valued for its shade tolerance. A short grass used for mowed areas or general purpose turf. Seed 15 to 40 lb per acre. |
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| Lathyrus sylvestris L. (Flatpea) |
A perennial, rhizomatous legume with long, viney stems. Not adapted to wet sites, although will persist on moderately well-drained soils. Seedlings are slow to develop, but once established, plants are vigorous and form a thick vegetative ground cover. Variety Lathco developed by Soil Conservation Service, Big Flats Plant Materials Center, Big Flats, New York. Seed 25 to 35 lb per acre. |
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| Lolium perenne L. (Perennial Ryegrass) |
A bunchgrass having very rapid seedling growth. Can winterkill in nothern states. Tolerates wet soils and can stand short periods of flooding. Used to provide quick protective cover on exposed soils. Unsuited for droughty sites. Seed 25 to 35 lb per acre. |
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| Lottus corniculatus L. (Birdsfoot Trefoil) |
A winter-hardy perennial legume adapted to well- or poorly drained soils. Under favorable conditions trefoil will spread by reseeding. Tolerant of medium acid soils. Seed 5 to 10 lb per acre. |
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| Panicum clandestinum L. (Deertongue) |
A rhizomatous, warm-season perennial grass with wide adaptation on sandy to silty clay loams and soils with pH as low as 3.8 to 4.0. Useful for mine spoil areas, gravel pits, and sandy roadbanks. Variety Tioga developed by Soil Conservation Service, Big Flats Plant Materials Center, Big Flats, New York. Seed 10 to 25 lb per acre. |
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| Panicum virgatum L. (Switchgrass) |
A perennial, warm-season grass with short rhizomes and coarse stems. Has good seedling vigor and is best adapted to moist, fertile soils. Will tolerate acidic soils, pH as low as 4.0 to 4.5., and droughty sites. Seed 10 to 15 lb per acre. |
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| Phlaris arundinacea L. (Reed Canarygrass) |
Will grow on poorly or well-drained soils. Is tolerant of both flooding and drought. Especially suited to swampy areas. Spreads by short rhizomes that can be used for vegetative propagation. Seed germinates slowly and loses viability after 1 year of storage. Use only fresh seed. Tolerates a pH range of 5 to 10 lb per acre. |
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| Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky Bluegrass) |
Grows best on well-drained fertile soils. Establishes slowly but spreads by rhizomes to make excellent smooth turf. Becomes dormant during hot, dry weather. Used as both lawn and pasture grass. Seed 15 to 25 lb per acre. |