Overview
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich., also known as rough brome or ripgut brome, is a perennial grass widely found in the United States and Mexico. It gets its name from the sharp awns on its seed heads that can harm livestock and humans.
Common Names
Rough brome, ripgut brome, ripgut grass, sharp brome, and cañabrava.
Origin
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. is native to North and South America and can thrive in a wide range of habitats. It usually grows in open grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas, but it can also be found in mountainous regions up to 10,000 feet above sea level. The plant was introduced to other parts of the world, including Europe and Australia, as a forage crop.
Description
The rough brome plant has a tufted growth habit, with stems that can grow up to 3 feet in height. Its leaves are long, narrow, and rough to the touch, with the base being slightly flattened. The plant's inflorescence is a large, open panicle with many branches that carry individual spikelets. These spikelets contain small, yellowish flowers that develop into seeds that are sharp and pointed at one end. The seeds are enclosed in bristles, or awns, up to 1.5 inches long that can easily catch in animal fur, clothing, and skin.
Uses
Ripgut brome is not usually used for forage because of its sharp bristles that can cause harm to animals. However, it is sometimes used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Its growth habit can help reduce soil erosion and loss of topsoil. Additionally, it is considered a good honey plant that can be valuable for honey production.
Light requirements
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. requires full sunlight exposure to grow and thrive. It is not tolerant of shade conditions and may not grow or germinate if it is not exposed to adequate sunlight.
Temperature requirements
The plant prefers temperate to sub-arctic climates and can grow in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 30°C. It can tolerate frost and prefers cooler temperatures for optimal growth. In warmer climates, it may experience heat stress and may require additional watering to avoid dehydration and damage.
Soil requirements
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. grows best in well-draining soils, but it can also tolerate soils with poor drainage. The plant prefers sandy or loamy soils, and can also grow in rocky or gravelly soils. It can tolerate a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, but prefers slightly acidic soil. Additionally, the plant is tolerant of high salt concentrations in the soil and can grow in saline conditions.
Cultivation Methods
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich., commonly known as "Brome Grass," is native to Africa and is a cool-season annual grass. It can be sown directly into the soil in the fall or early spring and will germinate when the temperature is above 50°F. Brome Grass prefers well-drained soils and full sun. It can tolerate drought conditions but does not do well in wet soils.
Watering Needs
Brome Grass requires consistent and regular watering during the growing season. It is important to keep the soil moist but not overly saturated, as this can lead to root rot. Deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering to encourage deep root growth.
Fertilization
Brome Grass requires a balanced fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilization should be done in the spring or fall before the grass starts actively growing. Avoid overfertilizing as this can lead to excessive growth and weaken the plant.
Pruning
Brome Grass does not generally require pruning as it is an annual grass that will die back at the end of the growing season. However, if the grass becomes too tall and starts to flop over, it can be mowed down to a shorter height to encourage thicker growth.
Propagation of Bromus trichopodus A.Rich.
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. is a plant species that belongs to the Poaceae family. This plant is commonly known as the rough brome and is native to Australia. Propagation of this plant can be done by sexual or asexual methods.
Sexual Propagation
Sexual propagation of Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. involves the use of its seeds. The seeds can be collected from the plant's mature dried inflorescence. The collected seeds should be sown in a well-draining soil mixture and covered with a thin layer of soil. The containers should be placed in a location that receives partial sunlight and kept moist until germination occurs.
Asexual Propagation
Asexual propagation of Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. can be done through division or cuttings. Division involves separating the plant's roots and rhizomes, and planting them in separate containers. Cuttings can be taken from the plant's shoot tips and treated with rooting hormone before planting in a well-draining soil mixture. The containers should be placed in a location that receives partial sunlight and kept moist until the plants are established.
Disease Management
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. commonly faces diseases like fusarium head blight, leaf rust, and stripe rust. To control fusarium head blight, avoid planting the infected seeds, use resistant varieties, and apply fungicides. For leaf rust, use fungicides and remove the infected leaves to limit the spread of the disease. Similarly, stripe rust also requires fungicide application and removal of infected leaves. Crop rotation can also be helpful to manage these diseases over the long term.
Pest Management
Bromus trichopodus A.Rich. is prone to pests such as aphids, cutworms, and wireworms. Aphids can be controlled by using insecticidal soap and neem oil. Cutworms can be managed by using biological control measures like plant resistant varieties or introducing predators like birds or nematodes, and also by using insecticides. Wireworms can be removed by tilling soil to expose the immature forms of the pest to the sun and birds, or by using insecticides.
Preventive measures like maintaining proper plant spacing, regular weeding, proper irrigation, and fertilizer management can also help reduce the severity of pest infestations. Early identification and proper management of pests and diseases are also critical in minimizing damage to Bromus trichopodus A.Rich.