Overview
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. is an annual or perennial grass that belongs to the family Poaceae. It is native to Asia and is widely found in many parts of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, and Afghanistan. The plant has several common names, including ripgut brome, drooping brome, and short brome.
Appearance
The plant grows up to 150 cm in height and has an erect or slightly droopy stem. The leaves are bright green, narrow, and rough-textured, and they can be up to 30 cm long and 1 cm wide. The flowers grow in stiff spikes, which can reach up to 20 cm in length. Each spike contains several flowers that are green or purplish in color. The seeds are shiny, oval-shaped, and measure about 4 mm in length.
Uses
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. has several uses in its native countries. The seeds and foliage of the plant are consumed by livestock as a source of food. The plant is also used as a fodder crop, especially during the winter months when other vegetation is scarce. In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat various ailments such as fever, cough, and respiratory infections. The fibrous roots of the plant are used to make ropes and baskets.
Light Requirement
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. is adapted to grow well in a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. However, it grows best in full sun or light shade. Therefore, the plant will thrive in an open location with partial shade and will benefit from shading during the hottest part of the day in subtropical areas.
Temperature Requirements
The plant is native to the subtropics and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. The ideal temperature range for the plants is between 15 to 25°C (60 to 75°F). However, it grows best when the temperature is around 21°C (70°F). The plant grows naturally in areas that experience a warm and moist climate with moderate rainfall.
Soil Requirements
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. grows well in a wide range of soils but prefers soils that are well-drained with good organic matter content. The plant can grow in slightly acidic to alkaline soil conditions. It thrives in clay-based or sandy soils and can tolerate soil salinity. The plant can be grown in soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0, but it grows best in slightly acidic soils of about 6.5. Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. can tolerate dry conditions but requires moist soils to establish properly and to grow vigorously.
Cultivation Methods
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud., commonly known as the 'short brome,' is a perennial grass that's easy to grow. It grows best in well-drained soils under full sun or partial shade. Start with a healthy young plant, either grown from seed or purchased from a nursery. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen the roots before planting it in the hole. Water well and add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture.
Watering Needs
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. prefers moderate moisture, so water the plant deeply once a week. Avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot. You can also monitor the soil's moisture by sticking a finger in it and checking the soil's dryness level. Watering should be done in the morning or evening, and avoid watering during the heat of the day.
Fertilization
Brome grasses don't need heavy fertilization as they can thrive in poor quality soil. However, if you want to supplement the soil, apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and late summer. To avoid damaging the roots, apply the fertilizer to the soil around the plant's circumference and not directly onto the plant.
Pruning
Although Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. doesn't need regular pruning, it's good practice to remove dead or diseased leaves and stems. It's best to prune in the early spring before new growth emerges. You can also shear the plant back to maintain its shape and encourage bushy growth.
Propagation of Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud.
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud. is commonly known as short brome, a perennial grass native to California, Oregon, and Arizona. The plant is easy to propagate through seeds, and it can also reproduce vegetatively through rhizomes and stolons.
Seed Propagation
The most common method of propagating Bromus brevis is through seeds. The seeds should be collected in early summer, shortly after the flowering period. The seeds should be air-dried, cleaned, and stored in a cool, dry place until planting time.
Before planting, the seeds should be scarified to remove the hard seed coat. Scarification can be done mechanically or chemically. Mechanical scarification involves nicking the seed coat with a knife or rubbing the seeds on sandpaper. Chemical scarification involves soaking the seeds in concentrated sulfuric acid or boiling water. After scarification, the seeds should be stored for a day or two in a moist environment to promote germination.
The best time to plant the seeds is in the fall, a few weeks before the first frost. The seeds should be planted in a prepared seedbed, where the soil has been loosened and fertilized. The seeds should be covered with a thin layer of soil and kept moist until germination. The seedlings can be transplanted to their final location in the spring.
Vegatative Propagation
Bromus brevis can also be propagated vegetatively through rhizomes and stolons. Rhizomes are creeping underground stems that produce new shoots and roots, while stolons are aboveground stems that produce new shoots at the nodes.
To propagate Bromus brevis vegetatively, a section of rhizome or stolon with at least one growing point should be dug up and planted in a prepared bed. The soil should be kept moist, and the new plant should be protected from direct sunlight until new growth appears.
Overall, Bromus brevis is an easy plant to propagate through seeds or vegetatively through rhizomes and stolons, making it a great option for gardeners and landscapers looking to establish a native grass in their landscape.
Disease and Pest Management for Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud.
Bromus brevis Nees ex Steud., commonly known as short brome or mountain brome, is a cool-season perennial grass species that occurs in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Although the plant is generally healthy and resilient, it can still fall victim to certain diseases and pests. Here are some common diseases and pests that might affect Bromus brevis and ways to manage them:
Diseases
Crown rot: Crown rot is a fungal disease that affects the crowns and roots of Bromus brevis. The disease causes the plant to wilt and eventually die. To manage this disease, avoid planting in areas with poor drainage. It is also recommended to plant resistant cultivars or use fungicides registered for use on Bromus brevis. Also, avoid overhead irrigation which tends to favor the development and spread of crown rot disease.
Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can affect the leaves of Bromus brevis. It appears as white or gray powdery spots on the leaves. To manage this disease, avoid overhead irrigation and reduce humidity around the plant by spacing plants out. Fungicides registered for use on Bromus brevis can also be employed.
Pests
Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers are a common pest in grassy areas, and they can feed on Bromus brevis. To manage this pest, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Another solution is to introduce natural predators of grasshoppers, such as birds or insect predators like praying mantis.
Cutworms: Cutworms can also feed on Bromus brevis and cause damage. To manage this pest, you can use liquid insecticides registered for use on Bromus brevis, or natural predators, such as ground beetles, birds, or parasitic wasps. Additionally, practices such as proper soil preparation and crop rotation can help prevent cutworm infestations.
Root Rots: Certain fungi cause root rot on Bromus brevis, weakening the plant and making it susceptible to other pest and diseases. The use of fertilizers with high amounts of nitrogen can increase susceptibility to root rot, so proper nitrogen management can help prevent root rot. Another helpful control measure is to reduce plant density to increase air movement and prevent waterlogging for shorter periods of time.
It is important to monitor occasionally and early-stage of the pests and diseases to avoid large scale infestations or outbreaks, which could lead to chemical spray or the death of the affected plant entirely.
