VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Phalaris arundinacea | Reed Canarygrass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Waterfowl, upland game birds, riparian mammals, and fish all use reed
canarygrass for cover and food.  Reed canarygrass hay fields have been
created for goose grazing areas [4].


PALATABILITY : 
Reed canarygrass has been rated as good forage for cattle, sheep, and
horses in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana [6].  It is most
palatable when it is growing, becoming more coarse and increasing in
alkaloids by autumn [3].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Nutrient contents were measured for reed canarygrass in the United
Kingdom following two seasons of simulated grazing trials and cutting
for silage [10]:

Simulated              content
grazing                g kg-1           Silage             g kg-1
                   year 2  year 3                       year 2  year 3
----------------------------------      -------------------------------
Phosphorus          4.6     3.8         Phosphorus       3.7    3.0
Potassium          38.7    31.7         Potassium       34.1   25.8
Calcium             4.2     4.6         Calcium          4.5    4.0
Magnesium           2.5     2.3         Magnesium        2.5    2.4

In the same simulated grazing trials dry matter production decreased
from 8.82 t/ha to 7.0 t/ha in 3 years, and digestive organic matter
decreased from 5.87 t/ha to 4.62 t/ha.

Crude protein during winter has been measured at 7.8 percent [32].


COVER VALUE : 
Prairie chickens use reed canarygrass for hiding cover in winter [28].
It is also used by muskrats and fish for cover [3].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Reed canarygrass is rated as a good for streambank stabilization and
excellent for rehabilitating waterways and trapping and filtering
sediments to prevent erosion [27].  However, because it is an aggressive
competitor, it can replace other native riparian vegetation, and its use
should be restricted [3].  In some areas it is desirable, especially
where the exotic, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), is invading
riparian areas [22].  Reed canarygrass is used to revegetate strip mine
spoils [26].  Seeding guidelines are available [7].



OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Reed canarygrass is considered an undesirable invader in oak savannahs
of south-central Wisconsin [14].  It can be controlled with glyphosate,
followed by covering treated areas with black plastic.  This method is
successful if done for 3 years, and then the treated area seeded with
desirable species.  Selective hand-pulling is also successful but must
be carried out two to three times a year for 5 years [14].  Other
chemicals, such as Dalapon and Amitrol, are effective in fall or early
winter [1].  Reed canarygrass can also be eliminated by applying boron.
Root growth is reduced by 50 percent by adding 29 parts per million of
boron.  Shoot growth is reduced by the same percentage by adding 82
parts per million [23].

Mowing can increase reed canarygrass, although repeated mowing over a
5-year period mowing can reduce percent frequency [19].

Reed canarygrass can be a desirable forage crop for cattle.  Grazing
should begin when the grass is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, and when soils
are dry to minimize trampling [3].  Intense stocking rates with a short
rotation period are recommended.  Reed canarygrass should not be grazed
to less than 5 to 8 inches (13-20 cm) in height.
 

Related categories for Species: Phalaris arundinacea | Reed Canarygrass