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'Goldar' Bluebunch Wheatgrass Long Range Field Planting Plan

Plant Accession Data

  • scientific name: 'Goldar' bluebunch wheatgrass, Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love subspecies spicata, (from Special Paper, Genomically Based Genera in the Perennial Triticeae of North America: Identification and Membership, Mary E. Barkworth and Douglas R. Dewey, American Journal of Botany 72(5): 767-776. 1985); synonyms include Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn. & J. G. Smith; Elytrigia spicata (Pursh) D. R. Dewey from USDA--ARS Agriculture Handbook Number 505, A checklist of Names for 3,000 Vascular Plants of Economic Importance.
  • common name: Bluebunch Wheatgrass
  • varietal name: 'Goldar'
  • other identification used: 9002950, T2950, P739, BN9082

Origin

A selection from a native plant collection in Asotin County, Washington, on the Umatilla National Forest, between 968-1460 meters (3175-4792 feet) elevation, in 1934. Notes imply that the collection was made on yellow pine-grassland plant community. It is assumed the site of collection was a southerly to flat exposure. More detailed information is lacking.

Description

Densely tufted bunchgrass with abundant culms and leaves 60-100 cm tall; leaf sheaths glabrous, blades flat to loosely involute, 2 to 4 mm wide. Foliage is slightly to moderately glaucous, resulting in a blue-green color, becoming glaucous to bluish on dry sites. Spikes generally loose, open, with spikelets about the same length as the rachis internodes. Spikelet lemma awns are 1 to 2 cm long and strongly divergent at maturity. Anthers dehisce outside the floret and plants are obligately cross-pollinating. 'Goldar' has more tillers than 'Whitmar' or 'Secar' and some short rhizomes have been observed. Plants are diploid, 2N = 14.

The selected population is representative of an ecotype of the botanical subspecies spicata that is among the most vigorous of the species. It is characterized by its abundance of leafy growth and flowering culms. It differs morphologically from 'Secar' Snake River wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. wawawaiensis), a very similar taxon, by a looser, more open spike and wider, oblanceolate glumes. It differs from 'Whitmar' bluebunch wheatgrass (P. spicata ssp. inermis) primarily by its long awns.

Method of Development

Selection and direct increase from field collection. Since 1939, 'Goldar' has been compared with over 1,000 accessions representing native collections from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Nebraska, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Alaska, and Canada. Early evaluations and selections were completed at Pullman, Washington.

Superior Characteristics

9002950 'Goldar' proved superior to 'Whitmar', Beardless wheatgrass, and 'Secar' Snake River wheatgrass in basal area and total yield in the Intermountain area of Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. It is generally superior to 'Whitmar' and 'Secar' in stand and equal or superior in plant vigor. Potential seed production is good.

  • average yield from all sites measured: 'Goldar' 2843 Kg/hectare (2,538 lbs./ac.), (127% of standard 'Whitmar'); 'Whitmar' 2244 Kg/hectare (2,003 lbs./ac.).
  • average basal area from all sites measured: 'Goldar' 60.5%; 'Whitmar' 41.5%.
  • stand ratings: 'Goldar' rated superior in 38 evaluations, equal in 28 evaluations, below in 10 evaluations.
  • vigor ratings: 'Goldar' rated superior in 31 evaluations, equal in 50 evaluations, below in 5 evaluations.
  • seed production average: 436 kg/hectare (389 lbs./ac.)

Proposed Uses

  1. Rangeland seeding on sites in the 25-89 cm (10-35 inch precipitation zones above greater than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) elevation.
  2. Critical area stabilization, when seeded in a mixture with understory grasses and forbs.
  3. For re-establishment of adapted native plant communities.
  4. For cheatgrass (and other winter active, annual weeds) control when seeded in a mixture with understory of grasses and forbs.
  5. Mine spoil reclamation when seeded in mixtures with other plants.

Area of Adaptation

9002950 'Goldar' bluebunch wheatgrass is a typical perennial bunchgrass and is adapted to bluebunch wheatgrass sites in the Intermountain area. The species is widely distributed in Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and eastern Oregon. The total geographic distribution of the species ranges from Alaska to northern California and New Mexico. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the most abundant, long-lived perennial grass on Idaho rangelands. Bluebunch wheatgrass usually occurs on medium textured loamy soils over 25 cm (10 inches) deep. It is most common on loamy range sites, shallow to moderately deep. 'Goldar' is best adapted to Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA's) B9, B10, B11, B12, B13, D21, D23, D24, D25, D27, D28A, D28B, and on open south slopes and droughty timber sites in MLRA's E43 and E44.

Palatability

Palatability is rated fair to excellent depending on kind and class of livestock and wildlife use. However, when not grazed for a period of years, an excessive accumulation of old growth within the bunches becomes unpalatable, rank, and tough. The leafage remains green throughout the grazing season and is nutritious and palatable after growth ceases. Bluebunch wheatgrass provides forage in the summer, fall, and winter for cattle, sheep, and horses. Elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer graze it during the winter and spring; antelope graze it moderately in the spring. It is a decreaser plant on all range sites when grazed by cattle or horses, but is an increaser on range grazed by sheep.

Disease Problems

9002950 'Goldar' is susceptible to stripe rust and mildew, but the degree of susceptibility seems no greater than other strains.

Increase and Distribution

Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed classes are recognized. Certified seed shall be limited to not more than two generations from foundation seed. Foundation seed is available through the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station allocated by Idaho Crop Improvement Association, Utah Crop Improvement Association, and soil conservation districts in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. Breeder seed is maintained by the Soil Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho.

Submitted by: Jacy Gibbs, Plant Materials Specialist, USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, Portland, Oregon; and Gary Young, Manager, Aberdeen Plant Materials Center, USDA--Soil Conservation Service, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Agricultural Research Service, and Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University.

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 comparision entry.

Seeding Rate

Seven (7) pounds pure live seed (PLS) per acre in pure stands. (97,100 seeds/pound) Adjust accordingly for mixtures. Use percent composition tables from range site descriptions to formulate specie mixture components.

Standard of Comparison
  • 'Whitmar' bluebunch wheatgrass
  • 'Secar' Snake River 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