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Blue Grass Seed Cropping Ideas

  1. A strong biological soil is the backbone of maximum production of both yield and quality in any crop. Benefits of increased biological activity in the soil are:

  1. Water Penetration and holding capacity by promoting increased soil flocculation. As the microorganisms move about in the soil in search of their food they restructure the soil by pushing the particles around. These particles are then held in place by the fungal hyphae and the polysaccharides that are exudates from the bacteria and other organisms resulting in a soil structure or crumb structuring of the soil.
  2. Increased nutrient availability to the plant by oxygenating the soil and thus stimulating more root development along with an increase in nutrient mineralization.
  3. Suppression of soil borne diseases and root feeding nematodes due to competitive exclusion.

  1. BioBase at 1 quart and Plus E at 6 ounces per acre in the fall:

  1. BioBase is product that provides food substrates, enzymes and bio stimulants to the beneficial aerobic microorganisms in the soil. While BioBase stimulates the complete soil food web Plus E provides an enzyme package that works more particularly with the fungal activity. Thus providing a stubble or crop residue breakdown recycling the nutrients or energy used to grow the previous crop. We know that 50% to 60% of the energy used to grow the crop is left in the field as residue and roots.
  2. Application may be made through the irrigation system, impregnating on a dry fertilizer blend, adding to a liquid fertilizer blend, or sprayed directly onto the soil or crop residue before or after tillage.
  3. Timing of application can be done any time just before or after harvest is complete. If fall fumigation is planned a 21 day waiting period is necessary. Break down of crop residue is a function of biological activity and thus requires moisture and warm soil temperature and as such the earlier fall applications will prove most beneficial.
  4. As crop residue is a function of soil biological activity the residue must be in contact with the soil for any biological action to occur. Any place the residue does not contact the soil prevents the microorganisms from doing their work.
  5. Applying 4 ounces per acre Microdigest along with the BioBase an d Plus E will increase the biological degradation of the residues in the soil. Microdigest is an inoculum of specific micro organisms that were selected for their ability to degrade crop and toxic residues.

  1. BioBase at 1 quart per acre in the spring:

  1. BioBase stimulates the complete beneficial soil food web using food substrates, enzymes, and bio stimulants but enhances more the beneficial bacterial activity.
  2. Application can be made, as with BioBase and Plus E, either through the irrigation, impregnating on a dry fertilizer blend, added to a liquid fertilizer blend or sprayed directly onto the soil.
  3. Timing of application can be any time that works easiest into the cultural practices of the grower. Keep in mind that the earlier the biology is kicked into gear in relation to the crop growth the sooner the benefits and advantages will be available to the new growing crop.

  1. Planting

  1. At apply no pre-plant fertilizer.
  2. An application of RootMax, 6 ounces/acre, along with 1.5 ounces of Galaxy. This would stimulate root development and root mass and well as increase tillering.

  1. After Emergence

  1. At the 1st or 2nd leaf stage apply about 15 lbs of Nitrogen, Soln 32, per acre complexed with Nutri-Aid at a rate of 1quart of Nutri-Aid to 15 gallons of fertilizer. An alternative that would give the new grass a boost in growth would be to apply 2 quarts to 1 gallon of Modern Ag Products Nitrogen along with 1 quart of VitaMax per acre.

  1. Fall Fertilization

  1. Conventionally an application of 180 lbs N, 80 lbs P, 80 lbs K, 80 lbs S, 3 lbs B, and 5 lbs Zn as a dry mix is top dressed. Adjustments to this mix can and should be made according to soil sample results.
  2. Alternative applications could be used of 150 lbs N from shanked in NH4, 1.5 gallons MAP Sup-O-Phos, 1.5 gallons MAP Sup-O-K, and 3 gallons MAP Sulfur, leaving the Boron and zinc to a spring MAP foliar, closer to when the plant can be influenced by these nutrients. Again adjustments to these applications should be made from soil sample results.

  1. Late Winter-Breaking of Dormancy

  1. This is when we are determining the head size as well as the number of seeds/head. A tissue sample would of value to determine what was available or where the plant values are. Nitrogen and phosphorus are very important at this stage completion of the N should be done. A foliar of MAP Nitrogen, 2 quarts to 1 gallon along with 1 quart of Sup-O-Phos.
  2. Pre-boot stage or when the panicle stars to grow an application of VitaMax, 1 quart/acre, 4 ounces MAP Boron, 4 to 6 ounces MAP Zinc. A week later and other MAP foliar of Promote, 1quart/acre as well as balancing nutrition based on the tissue results. Enhancer application, up to 6-8 ounces/ acre, at this stage will suppress disease.