Caucasian bluestem is a warm-season, perennial bunchgrass. It is part of the group known as Old World bluestems. It is not related to native bluestems.

Caucasian bluestem is ideally suited for marginal cropland areas where farming of annual crops is unprofitable and causes excessive wind and water erosion. It also has been used successfully to reclaim disturbed lands. Caucasian bluestem generally is less desirable for wildlife than most native warm-season grasses.

Caucasian bluestem is an erect, fine-stemmed, leafy grass. Forage yields usually exceed other adapted Old World bluestems. In Missouri, yields of Caucasian bluestem equal or surpass most native warm-season grasses.

In general, Caucasian bluestem exhibits god establishment characteristics, seed spreading, forage yield, forage quality and stand persistence if it is adapted to the site and managed properly. Caucasian bluestem starts spring growth a few days later than switch grass, but earlier than big bluestem to produce considerable forage in the summer, and withstand heavy stocking rates, has contributed to its popularity in southern Missouri. With adequate rain, it may be superior to native warm-season grasses in producing regrowth in August and September. No serious disease problems have been reported with Caucasian bluestem.

Caucasian bluestem will produce on a wide range of soils. It prefers the finer texture soils such as loams, clay loams and silt loams, but will grow acceptably well on good, sandy-loam soils.

Caucasian bluestem is not well adapted to extremely sandy soils (sugar sand and blow sand) that do not have a close, finer subsoil. It also will fail or do poorly on soils that are extremely sandy, on wetland soils with long-term supersaturation, on soils classified as having perched water tables, on saline soils, and on soils inclined to produce severe iron chlorosis.

Caucasian bluestem is best adapted to southern Missouri, and compares less favorably to native warm-season grasses when grown in northern Missouri, where stands have died because they lacked winter hardiness.

Spring seedings (April and May) of Caucasian bluestem are preferred. Seedings mad later may be successful if moisture is available. It should be seeded into a clean, firm, weed-free seedbed.

Seedbeds should be firmed with a roller prior to drilling or broadcasting seed. If the seed is planted using the broadcast method, it also should be rolled afterward to help cover the seed. Seed should be covered with about one-fourth inch of soil. Two pounds of pure live seed per acre are recommended. Some success has been obtained with no-till seedings in closely grazed or herbicide treated sod. This method reduces weeds and soil erosion.

Controlling weeds at seeding time is important because grass establishment and survival can be suppressed by weed competition for moisture and sunlight. Weed control must be provided by tillage during seedbed preparation, and later by mowing and proper utilization.

Although Caucasian bluestem has shown tolerance to residual herbicides, none have been cleared for weed control. However, proper use of 2, 4-D when plants are in the three- to five-leaf stage usually will do an acceptable job of controlling broadleaf weeds.

The best time to graze Caucasian bluestem is June through September. It is important that Caucasian bluestem be grazed close (three to five inches) to keep it in the vegetative stage. This will maintain forage quality and palatability. In first year stands, accumulations of large amounts of forage can hinder stand development and production. If excess forage is present, haying may be necessary.

The best use of Caucasian bluestem will be to fit it into a grazing system that includes cool-season grasses, mixtures of cool-season grasses and legumes, and one or more species of native warm-season grasses.

An annual fertilizer application of 50 to 60 pounds of nitrogen, along with 30 pounds of phosphorus and potassium, usually is adequate for maximum yields. Rates should be adjusted in accordance with soil tests and available soil moisture.

Weeds in established stands of Caucasian bluestem can be minimized by maintaining plant vigor and density. Occasional use of approved herbicides will reduce competition, and help restore plant vigor to an overgrazed stand. Prescribed burning of plant residues at initiation of spring growth helps control insects, decreases competition and stimulates growth.

A fall height of eight to 10 inches should be attained 30 days before frost. This allows replenishment of root reserves, and provides additional insulation through winter months. Caucasian bluestem may be grazed again after frost.

For more information about Caucasian bluestem, contact your local office of the USDA Soil Conservation Service. It is listed it the telephone directory under "U.S. Government."

© United States Department of Agriculture

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