Wrangler

APPLICATION

Wrangler is an excellent choice for pasture, hay, or soil conservation in temperate and subtropical regions. Wrangler is well adapted to the transition zone of the United States (OK, KS, MO, AR, TN, etc.) where winterkill of Arizona common and other bermudagrasses is a problem.

SEEDING

·Dates: Late spring when soil temperatures reach 65°F ( 20°C). Plantings through summer months are successful if moisture is available for germination and seedling establishment.

·Rates: 10 to 12 lb./acre (9 to 13 kg/ha).

·Depth: 1/8” (3 mm) on heavy soils to 1/4” (6 mm) on sandy soils.

·Method: Brillion seeder; broadcast (roll or harrow).

·Soil Preparation: Prepare firm seed bed free of weeds and clods to provide good seed to soil contact.

·pH: Test soil prior to planting. A range of 6.0 to 7.5 is sufficient.

·Fertility: Test soil prior to planting. A fertilizer low in nitrogen but high in phosphorous and potassium is recommended as a starter fertilizer to promote seedling vigor without promoting excessive weed growth. Increase nitrogen as seedlings develop and a sod forms.

·Weed Control: Not recommended in the seedling stage except for very light applications of 2,4 D to control broadleaf weeds. Residual herbicides are not recommended in the first 60 days.

·Irrigation: If applicable, keep soil moist for germination, as seedlings develop reduce frequency of watering but increase the amount.

CULTURAL PRACTICES

·Fertility: A total of 100 to 200 lb./ac/year (112 to 224 kg/ha/year) of actual Nitrogen is recommended based on expected precipitation and level of dry matter production or quality desired. The Nitrogen should be split into at least two applications, the first in early spring and the second in mid summer. Minimum soil levels of 65 lb./acre phosphorous and 200 lb. /acre Potassium should be maintained for maximum production at the desired Nitrogen level.

·Harvesting Schedule: Every 30 to 60 days depending on fertility and soil moisture. As a rule, the more frequent cuttings provide higher quality forage with less total dry matter while less frequent cuttings reduce quality but increase dry matter production.

RESEARCH DATA

Table 1. Forage yields (tons dry matter/acre) of commercial varieties in test 97-1, Panhandle Research Station, Goodwell, OK.^*

		1998	1999 Harvest Date				99	2-Yr Mean
Variety	V/S	4 harvests	6/7	7/8	8/6	9/30	Total	Yields
Hardie	V	13.00	1.58	1.01	2.17	3.28	8.04	10.51
Midland 99	V	10.16	0.37	1.06	2.53	3.65	7.60	8.88
Quickstand	V	9.86	0.72	0.93	1.30	2.84	5.78	7.82
Tifton 44	V	9.23	0.41	0.70	1.76	2.61	5.47	7.35
*Wrangler*	S	10.00	0.89	0.91	0.94	1.86	4.60	7.30
Guymon	S	9.65	0.60	0.57	1.11	2.22	4.49	7.07
Midland	V	8.64	0.54	0.74	1.57	2.48	5.32	6.98
Greenfield	V	8.92	0.41	0.59	1.36	1.82	4.18	6.55
CV(%)		16.3	48.1	45.3	19.1	20.4	9.7	13.8
5% LSD		2.33	0.57	NS	0.48	0.82	1.77	1.79

*Statistical analysis includes 11 experimental lines not shown

V-Vegetative Type Established from Sprigs

S- Seeded Type

Wrangler has consistently outperformed Guymon, Midland, and Greenfield in the test. The overall performance of Wrangler is comparative to Tifton 44 in the 2 years of forage trials at the Panhandle Research Station. The performance of Wrangler has been exceptional for a seeded variety when compared to the hybrid vegetative types.

Johnston Seed Company Enid, Oklahoma - USA

P.O. Box 1392

e-mail: johnseed@johnstonseed.com