Dactylis glomerata it is an important forage evergreen grass belonging to the Poaceae family. Commonly known as dactyl, blue grass, ball grass or garden grass, it is a natural herb of the temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa.
It is a tussock plant with erect stems that reaches 30-150 cm in height, has linear leaves and foliar sheaths compressed at the base. The flowers are grouped in paniculate, ovate inflorescences that emerge from a basal peduncle, the spikelets are compressed and the glumes are short, acute and lanceolate..
Its natural habitat is located in prairies or grasslands in a wide range of climatic conditions, from low altitude areas to alpine elevations. In addition, it develops in dry and warm climates of the Mediterranean region under dry grazing conditions..
It is considered an excellent forage grass, due to its great adaptability, high yield per hectare and excellent content of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Its rapid growth and regrowth capacity make it ideal for rotary grazing, in the same way it is used to control erosion in burned or logged land..
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Bluegrass is a robust and upright species, grows in isolated clumps, has a deep root system and grows between 15-140 cm in height. The glabrous and somewhat flattened stems present an erect or slightly prostrate growth, the pods are compressed, closed and keel, the deltoid and apiculate ligule.
The folded, glabrous leaves are 10-60 cm long by 3-15 mm wide, with a flat blade with a "V" section and an acuminate apex. Soft and smooth texture when young, rough and hard when maturing, they are bluish-green or glaucous in color and the central vein is very evident..
The inflorescence is a rigid, erect and branching panicle on a basal peduncle 30-40 cm long. At its end there are short and divergent racemes that contain numerous glomeruli with spikelets, open at anthesis or compressed when ripe, bearded at the tips.
The fruit is a small caryopsis, similar to an achene with a groove on one of its faces. The caryopsis is closely enclosed by the lemma and the palea. Generally presents a high percentage of germination.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Liliopsida
- Order: Poales
- Family: Poaceae
- Subfamily: Pooideae
- Tribe: Poeae
- Subtribe: Dactylidinae
- Gender: Dactylis
- Species: Dactylis glomerata L.
- Dactylis: the name of the genus derives from the Greek "dactylos" which means "finger" in relation to the shape of the panicles.
- glomerate: the specific adjective in Latin means "agglomerated or grouped".
- Dactylis glomerata subsp. glomerate
- Dactylis glomerata subsp. himalayensis
- D. glomerata subsp. Hispanic
- D. glomerata subsp. ibizensis
- Dactylis glomerata subsp. Jewish
- Dactylis glomerata subsp. juncinella
- D. glomerata subsp. lobata
- D. glomerata subsp. lusitanica
- Dactylis glomerata subsp. Marine
- Dactylis glomerata subsp. santai
- D. glomerata subsp. smithii
- D. glomerata subsp. woronowii
Blue grass is a forage grass that develops on limestone soils with a high content of organic matter, does not tolerate heavy soils and supports a certain salinity. Its superficial roots are sensitive to waterlogging, tolerates drought and shading, does not withstand temperatures below 5 ºC and remains productive during autumn.
It is a native species of the temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North Africa, it develops naturally in the Mediterranean basin and the Atlantic coast. Its cultivation as a forage species has spread worldwide, both in the northern and southern hemispheres..
In temperate regions of the northern hemisphere it is common from Canada and the United States in North America to Africa, Asia and Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula. In the southern hemisphere it is located from Australia and New Zealand, to Chile and Argentina in South America.
Dactylis glomerata It is a species with a perennial life cycle and high rusticity that develops in a wide variety of climates and soils. During the establishment it presents a slow growth, however, from the second year it becomes a very competitive fast growing plant.
Propagation is done by means of seeds or by vegetative methods through rhizomes or plant division. It is recommended to carry out an adequate preparation of the land to avoid competition with native species, and to carry out the sowing at the beginning of the rainy season.
It is generally sown in association with other forage grasses or legumes such as Arrhenatherum elatius (oatmeal), Fescue elatior (fescue), Perennial lolium (ryegrass) or Phleum pratense (bohordillo). Seed can be broadcast if mixed Trifolium repens or Trifolium pratense (white or red clover), or use a seeder at a distance of 15-35 cm between rows.
In some regions with low rainfall and where an irrigation system is used, bluegrass is sown only in rows 60-75 cm apart. Under this system, it can be intercropped with alfalfa in alternate rows at 30-35 cm, to obtain a silage of high nutritional value..
The seed requires a pre-germination treatment that consists of stratifying at a low temperature (5-8 ºC) for 12-15 days. Once sown, it must be rolled or covered with plant material, trying to place 0.5-2 cm deep and keep the soil moist until germination.
The ideal temperature for the germination process ranges between 20-30 ºC. The bluegrass plantation will be ready for the first cut 5-6 months after the plantation is established..
- Bluegrass is a forage herb that requires full sun exposure. However, it adapts to half-shade conditions as long as it receives direct light throughout the day..
- The recommended sowing density in association with certain forage legumes is 3.5-10.5 kg / ha.
- It requires loose soils of calcareous origin, with a high content of organic matter, well drained but that maintain sufficient humidity.
- As a forage crop it requires regular watering throughout the year. Although it is drought tolerant, frequent application of irrigation increases its growth and development. It is recommended to apply 3 irrigations weekly during the summer and 1-2 irrigations the rest of the year.
- At the beginning of spring, it is advisable to apply organic fertilizers, compost of plant material, guano or worm castings..
- Although legumes provide a percentage of nitrogen necessary for their development, it is essential to carry out frequent fertilizations to increase their yield..
- Mowing should be done at the end of spring, when the formation of the spikes begins. It is not appropriate to mow after flowering, as it loses quality and digestibility.
- Bluegrass tolerates grazing, as long as it is not intensive. For this reason, it is advisable to carry out rotary grazing, to allow time for the grass to regrow..
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