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Bannack Thickspike Wheatgrass Long Range Field Planting Plan

Plant Accession Data

  • scientific name: 'Elymus lanceolatus' ssp lanceolatus (Hook.) Scribn. [Agropyron dasystachyum]
  • common name and plant symbol: Thickspike wheatgrass, ELLAL, AGDA
  • accession numbers: 9021076, P-14943, AB-59, AB-123.

Origin

9021076 is a composite of P-1822, P-3571, P-4567, P-4702, P-6291, and P-7803. P-1822 was collected in 1934, east of the Dalles, Oregon, and was received from the Pullman PMC in 1939. P-3751 and P-6291 were collected near Pocatello, Idaho. P-4567 was collected near Grandales, Washington. P-4702 was collected near Quincy, Washington. P-7803 was collected near North Dalles, Washington. Dates of collection and specific locations are not available, all were collected prior to 1948.

Method of Selection

These accessions were seeded at the Aberdeen Airport in 1948. In the late 1950's, six individual plants that were more vigorous and productive were selected and transplanted to the Aberdeen Station. These top performing plants were increased under isolation and seed bulked. The first generation seed was planted at Tetonia, Idaho, and seed from Tetonia was planted at Knoll Creek, Nevada. Seed from Knoll Creek was then brought back to the Aberdeen PMC for seed increase. 9021076 has been evaluated at the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center and other sites in the service area.

Description

'Elymus lanceolatus' is a long lived, leafy, rhizomatous, vigorous sod-producing, cool-season grass. The culms are medium-coarse, soft, erect, and tall. The leaves, stems, and seed heads have little or no pubescence. The leaves are abundant, long, and flat with a pale green to bluish cast.

Anticipated Conservation Use

The potential uses of 9021076 Thickspike wheatgrass are range and dryland pasture seedings especially in sandy areas, wildlife food, cover, and nesting sites, erosion control, and sand stabilization. Palatability is good with most grazing use during late spring and summer.Forage yields, in areas with good rainfall, are equal to that of intermediate wheatgrass. Seedling vigor is good and it has good spring and fall recovery. 9021076 can be used with, or in place of Indian ricegrass for sand dune stabilization or revegetation of blowout areas, highway cuts, or pivot circle corners.

Adaptation

Potential Area of Adaptation

The range of adaptation would be areas with annual precipitation of greater than 6 inches. It can be planted a elevations between 300 and 6,000 feet. 9021076 should not be planted where the soils are not well drained.

Potential Soil Adaptation

Deep to moderately deep sands, sandy loams, and loamy sands. It also can be planted on well-drained medium textured soils. It does not do well on fine textured soils like clays, clay loams, or heavier soils.

Where Seed Will Be Maintained

Breeders seed will be maintained at Aberdeen PMC.

Prepared by: Loren St. John, Aberdeen PMC, Aberdeen, Idaho

Planting Information

Culture and Management 1

In accordance with applicable practice standards and specifications as stated in Section IV of the Field Office Technical Guide.

Planting Size

Minimum five (5) acres each, featured cultivar and standard of comparison entry.

Seeding Rate

Six (6) pounds pure live seed (PLS) per acre in pure stands. Adjust accordingly for mixtures.

Standard of Comparison
  • 'Critana' thickspike wheatgrass
  • 'Sodar' streambank wheatgrass
  • 'Rosana' western wheatgrass
Evaluation

Herbaceous plant performance will be requested annually for the first five (5) years and the tenth (10th) year following establishment. Standard evaluation forms will be provided.

1 Seedbed preparation, planting methods, seed placement depth, weed control, and stand establishment management.

2 Field office location managed by the respective Area Plant Materials Committees.

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Last Modified: 07/05/2007