International Journal of Horticulture, 2017, Vol.7, No. 11, 82-94
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2.12 Velvet bentgrass (
Agrotis canina
)
(Brilman, 2003)
Description: It is a fine textured turfgrass from Europe with higher shoot density. Velvet bent grass is lighter in
colour than colonial and creeping varieties. Velvet bentgrass is characterized by rolled vernation, a broad collar,
and a pointed membranous ligule. The legendary characteristics of this grass is top ranked for turf quality, low
maintenance , winter colour, brown patch and vibrant, medium green colour; shade and drought tolerant (Boesch
and Mitkowski, 2007).
Varieties: ‘Greenwich’, ‘Legendary’, ‘SR 7200’, ‘Venus’, ‘Vesper’, ‘Villa’.
Importance and uses: It is a potential turf grass for lawns and golf greens. The fine textured leaf blade and high
shoot density permit velvet bentgrass to develop a smoother and more consistent playing surface than creeping
bentgrass.
2.13 Wheatgrass (
Agropyron spp
)
(Asay and Jensen, 1996; Asay et al., 1997)
Description
Thick spike wheatgrass:
This native rhizomatous grass has excellent drought and cold tolerance. Under
favourable climate, it grows to a height of 30cm. Because of their growth habit, they form an excellent ground
cover, making them superior species for slopes and highly exposed sites.
Varieties: ‘Critana’, ‘Bannock’
Stream bank wheatgrass:
It is one of the most drought-tolerant and widely adapted grasses.
Stream bank
wheatgrass also is considered as a native and a good sod former, like thick spike wheatgrass for ease of
establishment.
Varieties: ‘Sodar’.
Western wheatgrass:
This native grass does not form dense sod and takes a bit longer time to establish than thick
spike or stream bank wheatgrass. Western wheatgrass is bluish-green in colour contrasting the typical light green
of the other wheatgrasses.
Varieties: ‘Rosana’, ‘Ariba’, ‘Rodan’, ‘Barton’.
Slender Wheatgrass:
This is a cool-season, short-lived bunchgrass and is well adapted to medium-light textured
soils. It is very easily established and provides quick cover when included in mixtures other longer-lived native
species.
Varieties: ‘Pryor’, ‘Revenue’, ‘San Luis’.
Bluebunch Wheatgrass:
This is a cool-season, long-lived bunchgrass and is well adapted to a wide range of soils
and is highly drought tolerant.
Varieties: ‘Secar’
Importance and uses: Wheatgrasses are generally used as a forage and pasture grass grown for hay and to give an
alternative lawn. Having a rhizomatic nature, Western wheatgrass develops good ground cover for erosion. Thick
spike wheat grass gives excellent erosion control and performs very well in waterways. Slender wheatgrass is
palatable and nutritious, and useful as good winter forage as well. Being low growing habit, Streambank wheatgrass
provides low-maintenance ground cover, best for use on small-plane grass landing fields at airports as well as
ground cover for erosion control. The forage is palatable in case of Blue bunch wheatgrass.
3 Warm Season Grasses
3.1 Bahia grass (
Paspalum notatum
)
Description: Bahia grass is originated from Mexico and South America. This grass is rhizomatous, low-growing
and creeping with
The stolons are attached firmly to the ground and root freely from the internodes,
