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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #119808
Title: GRAMA GRASSES

Author
item SMITH, STEVEN - UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
item Haferkamp, Marshall
item Voigt, Paul

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2004
Citation: Smith, S.E.,M.R. Haferkamp, P.W. Voight. Gramas. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Warm-Season (C4) Grasses, Agronomy Monograph no. 45:975-1002

Interpretive Summary: This chapter reviews available information on taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genetics, evolution, and management for three of the most widespread and economically important perennial grama grasses Bouteloua sp.) blue, black, and sideoats. Grama grasses are most common in non- cultivated rangeland environments of the western Great Plains of the USA and Canada and Desert Grasslands of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Grama grasses provide substantial forage for domesticated and wild herbivores on rangelands. In these environments, grama grasses may also provide wildlife habitat, act to stabilize soil thereby reducing erosion potential and maintaining watershed function, play a major role in atmospheric carbon sequestration, represent a primary source of soil organic matter, serve as low-maintenance turf grasses, and comprise a key vegetation element associated with the distinctive visual appeal of many grassland landscapes.

Technical Abstract: This chapter reviews available information on taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genetics, evolution, and management for three of the most widespread and economically important perennial grama grasses Bouteloua sp.) blue, black, and sideoats. Grama grasses are most common in non- cultivated rangeland environments of the western Great Plains of the USA and Canada and Desert Grasslands of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Grama grasses provide substantial forage for domesticated and wild herbivores on rangelands. In these environments, grama grasses may also provide wildlife habitat, act to stabilize soil thereby reducing erosion potential and maintaining watershed function, play a major role in atmospheric carbon sequestration, represent a primary source of soil organic matter, serve as low-maintenance turf grasses, and comprise a key vegetation element associated with the distinctive visual appeal of many grassland landscapes.