Forage Establishment in Mississippi: Recommended Seeding Rates, Planting Depths, and Planting Dates for Common Forage Species

Filed Under:

Publication Number: P3396

Forage production, stand persistence, and economic returns depend on proper forage establishment of pasture and hay fields. Successful forage establishment depends on proper seeding rate, planting depth, and planting date. A seeding rate that is too low can allow for more weed competition. A seeding rate that is too high will cost more than necessary and waste seed. If seed is placed too deeply, seedlings may not emerge. Shallow seeding allows the seed to dry out too soon, be moved out of place by rain, or be consumed by birds, all resulting in stand loss. Planting depth also depends on soil preparation; a seedbed that is too soft can result in deeper seed placement. In addition, the smaller the diameter of the seed, the shallower that seed should be planted.

This guide provides seeding rates, planting depths, and planting dates for common grass and legume species grown in Mississippi. Table 1 provides ranges for seeding rates and planting depths for pure stands. Lower seeding rates in the range are for species established in a prepared seedbed using a drill, while the higher seeding rates are recommended when planting in grass sod with a no-till drill or when broadcasting the seed (prepared seedbed or sod).

Information provided in Table 1 is broken down by perennial and annual cool- and warm-season species for grasses and legumes. The dates represent an acceptable range of environmental conditions across Mississippi. For northern Mississippi, early-fall and late-spring planting dates are recommended. For southern Mississippi, late-fall and early-spring planting is possible.

Recommended seeding rates for native warm-season grasses are based on pure live seed (PLS) rates. PLS is determined by multiplying the percent seed purity by the percent germination. This information is found on the seed tag if using certified seed.

Proper Seeding

Always use certified seed to make sure that purity and germination is optimal for establishment. When selecting a legume, make sure that it is inoculated with the proper Rhizobia species and that the inoculum is live or fresh before planting. Check the seed tag for the inoculation date; if it was more than 6 months ago, re-inoculate.

Fertilization

Fertilizer application should be based on soil test recommendations. Collect soil samples at least 6 months before planting so you will have time to make lime applications if recommended. Phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) can be applied at the time of seeding. Do not apply nitrogen at planting. It might take 7–21 days for seed to germinate (depending on species) and to develop a root system capable of nutrient uptake. During this period of time, N can be lost depending on N source and environmental conditions. Nitrogen should be applied to grasses when they have reached 1–2 inches of growth. Remember that properly inoculated legumes in ideal soil conditions will make their own N.

Establishment Methods

The two common establishment methods implemented across the state are conventional (prepared seedbed) and no-till (sod seeding). When using conventional seeding, the seedbed should be firm with uniform soil particles and no weeds. Generally, a well-prepared seedbed is firm when an adult’s heel footprint is no more than ¼-inch deep. A seedbed with excessive tillage can cause the soil to crust after planting and impede seed emergence. Sod seeding can impact seed establishment if not done properly. Clipping or chemically suppressing the existing forage is recommended to avoid competition. Sod seeding is recommended for planting annual cool-season grasses or clovers into dormant warm-season perennial pastures.

Seeding Methods

Use calibrated equipment to ensure correct seeding rates and depths. Follow equipment manufacturer calculations to determine the proper seeding rate calibration procedure. If you are using rented equipment through your co-op, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Water Conservation Commission, always check the equipment thoroughly. When plating in a conventional tillage system, a grassland drill or grain drill will be the best option depending on slope and conditions of the field. If the drill does not have a packer wheel system, consider using a cultipacker or roller to press the seed below the soil surface. Do not mix grass and legume seed in the same hopper box because legume seed will gravitate to the bottom of the drill, which will not allow for homogeneous seed distribution and planting.

Broadcasting seed onto a prepared seedbed can be achieved by using a whirlwind or end gate seeder, but this will require higher seeding rates. Broadcasting will also require rolling and cultipacking before and after broadcasting the seed. The seed should be covered with at least ¼ inch of soil.

Another seeding method is no-till planting. This method is commonly used in warm-season perennial grasses when adding clovers or planting winter annual forages. This method works well when planting into land that is subject to erosion or when no-till practices are being used. Planting into grass sod can help to conserve soil moisture and organic matter. To avoid competition, achieve mechanical or chemical control of the sod before planting. Refer to Extension Publication 1532 Mississippi Weed Control Guidelines for products that could be used to suppress existing vegetation.

Seeding rates, planting depths, and dates provided in this publication are only guidelines for establishing common pure stands of pasture and hay systems in Mississippi. Specific variety information can be found in the annual Forage Variety Trial bulletins at https://www.mafes.msstate.edu/variety-trials/includes/forage/about.asp.

**Table 1. Mississippi forage crop establishment guidelines.**
Forages	Scientific name	Season	Lb/bushel	Approx. seed/lb	Seeding rate (lb/ac)	Planting depth (in)	Planting date
Perennial Grasses
Tall fescue	Schedonorus arundinaceus	Cool	25	280,000	20–25	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Bahiagrass	Paspalum notatum	Warm	46	273,000	15–20	½–1	Apr 15–Jul 15
Bermudagrass, seed	Cynodon dactylon	Warm	40	2,071,000	8–10	¼–½	Apr 15–Jun 30
Bermudagrass, sprigs	Cynodon dactylon	Warm	–	–	30–40 bu	1–3	Apr 15–Jun 15
Dallisgrass	Paspalum dilatatum	Warm	14	281,000	15–20	¼–½	Mar 15–Jun 15
Johnsongrass	Sorghum halepense	Warm	28	119,000	20–25	½–1	Apr 15–Jun 30
Native Grasses**
Bluestem, big	Andropogon gerardii	Warm	22	165,000	9–11	¼–½	Apr 15–Jun 30
Bluestem, little	Schizachyrium scoparium	Warm	20	260,000	5–10	0–¼	Apr 15–Jul 30
Eastern gamagrass	Tripsacum dactyloides	Warm	5	5,900	6–10	½–1	Apr 15–Jun 15
Indiangrass	Sorghastrum nutans	Warm	10	200,000	8–12	¼–½	Apr 15–Jun 30
Switchgrass	Panicum virgatum	Warm	55	280,000	5–8	¼–½	May 1–Aug 30
Annual Grasses
Crabgrass	Digitaria sanduinalis	Warm	25	825,000	6–8	½–1	Apr 15–Jun 15
Millet, browntop	Echinochloa esculenta	Warm	14	142,000	20–25	½–1	May 1–Jul 30
Millet, foxtail	Seratica italica	Warm	50	213,000	15–25	½–¾	May 1–Jul 30
Millet, pearl	Penisetum glucum	Warm	48	82,000	15–25	¼–½	May 1–Jul 30
Sorghum, forage	Sorghum bicolor	Warm	56	17,000	15–20	1–2	May 1–Jul 30
Sorghum x sudan	Sorghum bicolor	Warm	48	35,000	20–25	½–1	May 1–Jul 30
Sudangrass	Sorghum bicolor	Warm	40	60,000	30–40	½–1	May 1–Jul 30
Teffgrass	Eragrostis tef	Warm	40	1,300,000	8–10	0–¼	May 1–Jun 15
Oat	Avena sativa	Cool	32	16,000	90–120	1–2	Sep 15–Oct 30
Rye, cereal	Secale cereale	Cool	56	18,000	90–120	1–2	Sep 15–Oct 15
Ryegrass, annual	Lolium multiflorum	Cool	24	224,000	20–30	0–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Triticale	Triticum x Secale	Cool	48	15,000	90–120	1–2	Sep 15–Oct 30
Wheat	Triticum aestivium	Cool	60	11,000	90–120	1–2
Perennial Legumes
Alfalfa	Medicago sativa	Cool	60	227,000	15–20	¼–½	Sep 15–Nov 15
Red clover	Trifolium preatense	Cool	60	272,000	8–12	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
White clover	Trifolium repens	Cool	60	768,00	2–3	0–¼	Sep 15–Oct 30
Serecea lespedeza	Lespedeza cuneata	Warm	60	372,000	12–15	¼–½	Apr 15–May 30
Annual Legumes
Arrowleaf clover	Trifolium vesiculosum	Cool	60	400,000	5–10	0–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Ball clover	Trifolium nigrescens	Cool	60	1,000,000	2–3	0–¼	Sep 15–Oct 30
Balansa clover	Trifolium michelianum	Cool	60	500,000	8–10	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Berseem clover	Trifolium alexandrium	Cool	60	207,000	15–20	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Crimson clover	Trifoluim incarnatum	Cool	60	150,000	20–25	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Persian clover	Trifoluim resupinatum	Cool	60	642,000	3–5	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Rose clover	Trifolium hirtum	Cool	60	164,000	15–20	¼–½	Sep 15–Oct 30
Vetch, hairy	Vicia villosa	Cool	60	16,000	20 -25	1–2	Sep 15–Oct 30
Winter pea, Australian	Pisum sativum	Cool	60	3,900	30–40	1–2	Sep 15–Oct 30
Annual lespedeza	Kummerowia stipulacea or K. striata	Warm	60	240,000	25–30	¼–½	Apr 15–Jun 30
Alyce clover	Alysicarpus vaginalis	Warm	60	301,000	15–20	¼–½	May 1–Jun 15
Cowpea	Vigna unguiculata	Warm	60	3,600	60–90	1–3	May 1–Jun 30
Lablab	Lablab purpureus	Warm	60	3,800	15–20	½–1	Apr 15–Jun 15
Soybean, forage	Glycine max	Warm	60	4,500	60–90	1–2	May 1–Jun 30
Forbs
Chicory	Cichirium intybus	Warm	60	426,000	3–4	¼–½	Apr 15–June 1
Kale	Brassica oleracea	Warm	50	104,000	3–4	¼–½	Aug 15–Oct 1
Radish	Raphanus sativus	Warm	55	50,000	3–4	¼–½	Aug 15–Oct 1
Rape	Brassica napus	Warm	50	156,000	3–4	¼–½	Aug 15–Oct 1
Turnip	Brassica rapa	Warm	55	220,000	3–6	¼–½	Aug 15–Oct 1

*Lower seeding rates in the range are for species established in a prepared seedbed using a drill, while the higher seeding rates are recommended when planting in grass sod with a no-till drill or when broadcasting the seed (prepared seedbed or sod).

**Pure live seed

References

Ball, D.M., C.S. Hoveland, and G.D. Lacefield. 2015. Southern Forages: Modern Concepts for Forage Crop Management (5th Ed.). International Plant Nutrition Institute: Peachtree Corners, GA.

Dillard, L., C. Chappell, and D.M. Ball. 2019. Alabama Planting Guide for Forage Grasses. Alabama Coop Ext. Serv. Pub. ANR-0149. Online at https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/alabama-planting-guide-for-forage-grasses/ (Verified 5 October 2022).

Dillard, L., C. Chappell, and D.M. Ball. 2019. Alabama Planting Guide for Forage Legumes. Alabama Coop Ext. Serv. Pub. ANR-0150. Online at https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/alabama-planting-guide-for-forage-legumes/ (Verified 5 October 2022).

Jennings, J. 2017. General Traits of Forage Grasses Grown in Arkansas. Arkansas Coop. Ext. Serv. FSA2139. Online at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/ (Verified 5 October 2022).

Hancock, D.W. and R.R. Lee. 2018. Planting Guide to Grasses and Legumes for Forage and Wildlife in Georgia. Georgia Coop. Ext. Serv. Cir. 814. Online at https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C814&title=Planting Guide to Grasses and Legumes for Forage and Wildlife in Georgia (Verified 5 October 2022).

Twidwell, E., M.W. Alison, G. Williams, and J. Simmons. 2018. Cool-season Pasture & Forage Varieties 2018-2019. Louisiana Coop. Ext. Serv. Pub. Pub. 2334.

Publication 3396 (POD-02-21)

By Rocky Lemus, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Brett Rushing, PhD, Associate Extension/Research Professor, Coastal Plain Experiment Station.

Department: Plant and Soil Sciences

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