Bromus japonicus Thunb.

Scientific Name: Bromus japonicus Thunb.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Bromus L./ Bromus japonicus Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.
General Information
Usda SymbolBRJA
GroupMonocot
Life CycleAnnual
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsBRJA

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Bromus japonicus Thunb..

Fact Sheet

Uses

Field brome is used primarily as a winter cover crop on vegetable lands and in orchards in the Northeast. Due to its heavy root growth and low, dense top growth, it gives good protection against wind and water erosion. The heavy root growth makes it a useful green manure crop. When used as a cover plant, it provides good pasturage for Canada geese, especially in the spring.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.

Description

Field brome is a winter annual. It produces dense, low leafy growth in the fall. Spring growth starts earlier than most other annual grasses used for cover crops. It does not have creeping stolons or rhizomes, but tillers profusely. It produces seedheads in late spring or early summer. Seed stalks are 2 to 3 feet tall. The principal characteristics that make it an outstanding cover crop are the extensive fiberous root system and the relatively short top growth. It is winter hardy in northeast and north central regions. It grows vigorously under high fertility and often smothers other grasses or weeds. It is an excellent seed producer and can maintain itself as a reseeding annual. There are 250,000 seeds per pound.

Adaptation

Field brome does best on medium textured soils that are moderately well-drained to well-drained. It has done well in lowlands subject to flooding and on sloping, gravelly soils. The most suitable pH range is between 6.0 and 7.0. Field brome can be found throughout the United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

The best seeding date for field brome is mid-August in the North to early September in the South, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Bromus japonicus Thunb.., When used as a cover crop in cropland, field brome is usually seeded at the time of the last cultivation, Field brome should be seeded for orchard cover on a firm seedbed, Seeding rate is 10 pounds per acre, Rolling, cultipacking, or cultivating after broadcast seeding is essential for a uniform stand, Field brome is a heavy user of nitrogen and best growth is produced when nitrogen is available, The light, fluffy seed of field brome may cause some planting difficulties, The seed is best applied using a power driven cyclone type seeder with an agitator, A cultipacker seeder or a grain drill with a positive type feed may be used for planting,

Management

Nitrogen application is not essential for cover crop use, but supplemental nitrogen may be added to

http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/ increase growth and to speed up breakdown of the heavy sod after plowing. Without adequate nitrogen the succeeding crop, particularly vegetables, may show nitrogen deficiency. This grass can be heavily grazed in late fall and again in the spring for 6 to 8 weeks. When managed as a reseeding annual in orchards, the stand should be disked in the spring before seedheads are produced, leaving only 10 percent of the stand to produce seed. This will provide ample seed to re-establish the stand the following fall. After seed maturity, the entire stand can be disked under. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) 'Svalof's Sleipner' is the only released variety of field bromegrass. Most seed produced in this country can be traced to this variety.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-23
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceLow
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceNone
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum7.5
pH, Minimum5.2
Precipitation, Maximum55
Precipitation, Minimum26
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)12
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

BloatNone
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodFall, Winter and Spring
C:N RatioLow
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Growth RateRapid
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Foliage TextureMedium


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed Spread RateRapid
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Seed per Pound280000
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityNo Known Source
Bloom PeriodMid Spring
Propagated by SeedYes


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

<i>Bromus japonicus</i> Thunb.

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