Workshop on New Grass Germplasms
23
The major limitation with slender wheatgrass is its lack of persistence. We
are working with two SERDP-select populations. Collections from Fort Carson
were selected for emergence from a deep planting depth with concurrent pheno-
typic selection for improved plant vigor. A large-scale seed increase field was
established in 2000. Several hundred pounds of this germplasm are available for
demonstration. A formal pre-variety germplasm release is expected in 2003.
A second population of slender wheatgrass from the Pikes Peak area of
Colorado has undergone two cycles of selection for emergence from a deep
planting depth with concurrent phenotypic selection for improved plant vigor and
rhizome development. Breeder seed increase fields of cycle-2 were established in
2002. This is an excellent-looking population with good seedling and plant vigor.
Cycle-2 seed will be available for demonstrations in the fall of 2003.
SERDP-multi-line Western yarrow comprises 28 collections within Yakima
Training Center. It is a broad-based population with no selection pressure having
been applied. This germplasm is in the seed-increase phase and a formal release
as a Selected Class Germplasm is expected by 2004.
Sandburg bluegrass is one of the first grasses to establish after a distur-
bance. SERDP-multi-line Sandberg bluegrass germplasm originated from 28
different ecotypes within Yakima Training Center. By combining the different
ecotypes, this broad-based germplasm should be better adapted to a wider range
of environments. No genetic manipulation was done. Seed is being increased in
2002 and 2003 and a Selected Class Germplasm release is expected in 2004.
Introduced germplasms
`Vavilov' Siberian wheatgrass is available commercially and is an excellent
grass for dry sandy soils with 8 to 12 inches of annual precipitation. SERDP-
select Siberian wheatgrass was selected out of Vavilov and germplasm collected
in Kazakhstan (former Soviet Union). After two cycles of selection for plant
color, vegetative vigor, seedling vigor, and seed yield, the selected population
is more drought-tolerant than Fairway or Standard-type crested wheatgrass and
it greens up earlier in the spring. Release is planned for 2004.
SERDP-select crested wheatgrass cultivars commercially available are CD-
II (Reg. No. CV-24, PI 594024, Asay et al. 1997) and RoadCrest (Reg. No. CV-
25, PI 606546, Asay et al. 1999). CD-II crested wheatgrass is excellent on dry
sites receiving 10 to 12 inches of precipitation. It is derived from the cultivar
Hycrest, which is a hybrid between induced tetraploid Agropyron cristatum
and natural tetraploid Agropyron desertorum. This cultivar is more resilient to
training because it has improved drought resistance and increased growth under
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