Establishment of Desmanthus Species in Existing Grass Stands

Abstract

Seedling emergence of ‘Sabine’ Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis [Michx.] MacM. [Fabaceae]), velvet bundleflower (D. velutinus Scheele), and 2 accessions of rayado bundleflower (D. virgatus [L.] Willd.; synonym = D. bicornutus S. Watson) planted into tilled or defoliated strips in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) was generally low but greater in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Differences in years and sites reflected precipitation differences. Although the rayado bundleflowers had greater initial establishment, Illinois bundleflower was more winter-hardy and had greater second-year yields in both grass species following establishment seasons with adequate precipitation. Potential for interseeding Desmanthus at latitudes approaching or exceeding 31 °N appears greater for Illinois bundleflower.