What kind of grass is California brome? Characteristics and traits introduction

California brome is a perennial, bunch-type forage grass with broad and long leaves that are gray-green and a high leaf-to-stem ratio. Its biggest morphological difference from smooth brome is that it has no underground rhizomes.

California brome has similar soil requirements to smooth brome, and its cold resistance is slightly worse than that of smooth brome, but its heat resistance is clearly higher than that of smooth brome, and most varieties can be used for 6-8 years. California brome has a high leaf-to-stem ratio, and its forage quality is better than that of smooth brome, while its yield is similar to that of smooth brome. California brome is suitable for planting in the southern part of Northeast China, southeastern Inner Mongolia, the north and south slopes of the Tianshan Mountains and the Ili River Valley, the North China Plain, the relatively humid areas of Northwest China, the Central Plains region, and the high-altitude areas of Southwest and South China.

California brome has stronger heat tolerance than smooth brome, which gives it great promotion prospects in North China, the Central Plains region, and the Southwest region. At present, California brome is mainly at the trial planting stage in China, and among the trial-planted varieties, Deborah is one of the outstanding ones.

Deborah is an octoploid improved variety of California brome, with outstanding cold and heat resistance, a relatively late heading stage, and a deep and well-developed root system, with strong drought resistance and disease resistance. It begins to grow at about 10°C and establishes quickly; because it has no underground rhizomes, it can be mixed with ryegrass, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and others to establish artificial grassland. Under good management, Deborah can grow for 5-7 years. In the Central Plains region, Deborah's yield is higher than that of smooth brome, and in some areas it is even higher than that of orchardgrass and ryegrass, with fresh grass yield per mu reaching more than 5000 kg.