Growth and Phenological Development of Rough Fescue in Interior British Columbia

Abstract

Growth and phenological development of rough fescue (Festuca scabrella) in interior British Columbia have been documented for a 3-year period. The plants began growing around mid-April and normally ceased growing in late June. Culm growth began in late May and ceased at approximately the time leaf growth ceased. However, leaf and culm elongation ceased before the plants reached their full weight. Rough fescue headed out between May 14 and June 10 and seed shattering occurred between July 13 and July 24. Seed head production per plant was variable from year to year. Fall regrowth occurred in September one year, in October another year, and not at all the other year. Rough fescue (Festuca scabrella) is an important forage species on 1,275,OOO ha of grasslands in interior British Columbia, providing up to 10% of the dry matter yield of the Agropyron-Poa or middle grasslands zone and up to 50% of the dry matter yield of the Agropyron-Festuca or upper grasslands zone (Tisdale 1947). Rough fescue requires a mesic environment and is therefore most abundant on north and east facing slopes. As rough fescue is a palatable forage and has an extensive fibrous root system for holding soil, it may be advisable to manage it as the key species when it makes up more than 15% of the total plant composition (Hodgkinson and Young 1973). Traditionally the middle and upper grasslands of interior British Columbia have been utilized for spring and fall grazing. To help resource managers make the best use of these rough fescue ranges, we have conducted experiments to document the growth characteristics and the resistance to herbage removal of rough fescue. In this paper we describe the pattern of vegetative and reproductive growth of rough fescue at two sites of interior British Columbia. Possible relationships between growth and environmental parameters are also considered.