High Plains Selected Class Germplasm Sandberg Bluegrass

High Plains is a selected class germplasm release of Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda J. Presl.). It is a composite of three accessions collected in the early 1980s from native stands in Wyoming: Campbell County (elevation 4,690 ft, 1,430 m), Natrona County (elevation 5,216 ft, 1,590 m), and Uinta County (elevation 6,300 ft, 1,920 m). Thirty-five different accessions of Sandberg bluegrass were evaluated at a coal mine near Rock Springs, Wyoming; a bentonite mine near Greybull, Wyoming; a nursery at Missoula, Montana; and at the Bridger, Montana, Plant Materials Center. These three accessions were selected because of their seedling vigor, survival on harsh sites, and uniformity of phenology.

Description

Sandberg bluegrass is a cool season, perennial bunchgrass that matures early in the growing season. This grass is one of the first to green up in the spring, and it sets seed and cures by early summer. Sandberg bluegrass usually occurs as small tufts, with soft basal leaves and few to many flowering stalks that are naked except for two small leaves. All the leaves have the typical bluegrass characteristics of prow-shaped tip and double grooves down the center of the leaf surface. This species has a prominent membranous, acute ligule. The seeds are glaucus except for short crisp hairs on the lower portion of the lemmas. The seedheads are in narrow panicles, which droop slightly at maturity. Sandberg bluegrass is strongly self-pollinated. Plants seldom exceed 24 inches (60 cm) in height. Sandberg bluegrass has an extensive, deep, fibrous root system that makes it quite drought, grazing, and trampling tolerant. The processed seed of High Plains Sandberg bluegrass has 925,000 seeds/lb (2,000,000 seeds/kg).

Adaptation

Sandberg bluegrass is considered an increaser in mid- and short-grass prairies, mountain meadows, and the foothills of south-central Canada, the western United States (Dakotas west to Washington), and south to Mexico. Based on field trials, High Plains is adapted to most of Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, and southern Idaho. High Plains also has potential for use in the Palouse country of Washington, southward into Colorado and Utah, and northward into the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Sandberg bluegrass grows well on medium texture soils, but is most common on badlands, ridge-tops, and dry, stony, or sandy soil. It is a pioneer species, one of the first grasses to colonize on surface manipulation sites and other moderate surface disturbances.

Uses

Sandberg bluegrass is palatable to livestock early in the growing season, becoming less preferred in the summer when cured. By autumn it is frequently selected again. Deer, pronghorn antelope, and mountain sheep utilize Sandberg bluegrass forage, and birds and small mammals utilize the seed. Because of the small stature and early maturity, this grass does not provide much usable forage. It is usually a minor component of most plant communities, but is still considered one of the six most important range grasses of the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest regions. The anticipated use of commercially available Sandberg bluegrass is for inclusion in native mixtures for government conservation programs, reclamation of drastically disturbed lands, wildlife habitat plantings, and native plant community restoration.

Establishment

For best results, seed should be planted into a firm, weed-free seedbed, preferably with a drill that will ensure a uniform seed placement depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 12 mm). The small seed can be broadcast seeded, harrowed, and packed for good seed-soil contact; however, in dryland situations good precipitation at the time of germination is critical for survival. The full seeding rate of High Plains is 1.5 lb/acre (1.7 kg/ha), but it would seldom be seeded in a pure stand. It is recommended that High Plains be included in native seed mixtures at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 lb/acre (0.3 to 0.6 kg/ha). Seeding of this species in the spring is favored over a dormant fall seeding.

Seed Production

Seed production fields should be established in rows, with between-row spacing of 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) allowing for between-row cultivation. This species should not be seeded as a solid stand. Wider row spacing is required when growing under dryland conditions. Seed production should not be attempted in areas receiving less than 16 inches (410 mm) of annual precipitation. When grown under irrigation, the plants are taller and more robust than without irrigation, making harvest easier. High Plains can be direct harvested or swathed and combined out of the cured windrows. Seed harvest can be as early as the last week in June through mid-July. Seed production cannot be expected until the second growing season, and stands are generally productive for only three years. Seed production of 200-500 lbs/acre (225-560 kg/ha) can be expected under irrigation and only 100-200 lbs/acre (112-225 kg/ha) under dryland conditions. Chemical control of broadleaf weeds can be utilized, but it is restricted to early spring before boot and late summer following harvest.

Availability

The USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana released High Plains as a selected class germplasm release. G1 seed (equivalent to foundation seed) is produced at the Bridger PMC and made available to commercial growers through the Foundation Seed Stock program at Montana State University-Bozeman and the University of Wyoming Foundation Seed Program at Powell, Wyoming. Two generations (G2 equivalent to registered and G3 equivalent to certified) beyond Foundation (G1) are recognized.

Authors:
Mark Majerus and Larry Holzworth

This publication is also available in Adobe Acrobat format.

High Plains Selected Class Germplasm Sandberg Bluegrass (PDF; 194KB)

< Back to Plant Materials Publications

Last Modified: 04/18/2005