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ERDC/CRREL SR-02-2
cold temperatures, and it is easier to establish than other crested wheatgrass
cultivars.
RoadCrest crested wheatgrass is recommended as a low-maintenance turf
with moderate rhizome development and is often used on roadsides to prevent
erosion. RoadCrest is a long-lived perennial and is significantly more rhizoma-
tous than `Ephraim' crested wheatgrass. RoadCrest produces less biomass and is
15 to 25% shorter than forage-type crested wheatgrass cultivars, making it
suitable in areas where mowing is necessary, such as gunnery ranges and road-
side plantings. Seedling vigor and drought resistance of RoadCrest compares
favorably with other crested wheatgrasses, and RoadCrest initiates growth earlier
in the spring than other turf and low-maintenance grasses.
The cultivar Bozoisky-select Russian wildrye is an excellent dryland
bunchgrass that is drought resistant with excellent winter forage quality.
However, the use of Russian wildrye is often limited by its poor establishment
characteristics. SERDP-select lines Tetra-1 and Syn A Russian wildrye have
improved seed germination and seedling vigor. Tetra-1 germplasm of Russian
wildrye was released as a Selected Class Germplasm. It has increased plant
height, longer and wider leaves, increased seedling emergence, heavier seeds,
and improved water-use efficiency (Reg. no. GP-75, PI 599302; Jensen et al.
1998). A large-scale seed increase field of Syn A was established in 2000. We
currently have several hundred pounds of this germplasm. We plan to release it
in 2002 and continue seed harvest in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Tracking study
The cumulative effect of two years after light to heavy training activity--
consisting of 0, 1, 2, and 4 passes--were evaluated on over 25 species by
measuring percent target species, other species, weedy species, litter, and bare
ground on and off the tracked area. Preliminary data suggest that in most cases
the introduced or naturalized species were more tolerant or recovered more
rapidly under repeated tracking. However, native grasses western and Snake
River wheatgrass showed promise as stabilization species. In addition, significant
differences between on and off tracks were not apparent in passes 1 and 2.
Questions
Several questions concerned batched ecotypes and the problem with seeds
maturing at different times. There is a possibility of losing some seed depending
on when the seeds are harvested. By using a seed stripper instead of a combine,
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