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Publication Date
1981
Description
Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis[Willd. ex H.B.K.J Lag. ex Griffiths) are widely distributed throughout the U.S.A. They arc two of the predominant native grasses in rangelands in the northern Great Plains. Because suitable cultivars are not always available for reseeding disturbed areas, we collected plants of the two species and evaluated phenotypic variability to determine potential for breeding improvement. We also sampled the nematode population associated with the collections. Sampling sites were systematically chosen by establishing a grid pattern 19 .3 km apart in the western halves of North Dakota and South Dakota. Five collections, including a portion of the root system, were made of each species at each of about 1,040 sites in 1977 by SCS field technicians. Individual plants were extracted from samples and transplanted to the field for agronomic evaluations. Nematodes were extracted from the soil fraction of the collection samples. Data collected on individual plants were averaged over all plants collected at one site (entries). Relative maturity of western wheatgrass entry means ranged from 178.2 to 195.0 Julian days and from Julian date 169 to 204 for individual plants. Average
fertility for entry means was 35.6 % , and mean seed yield from 5 heads was 0.59 g. Awn length ranged from none to > 5 mm. Fewer characteristics were measured of blue grama than of western wheatgrass. The maturity range for blue grama was 13.5 days for entry means and 15 days for individual plants. Plant parasitic nematodes were found in 59% of the 3, 101 soil samples analyzed. The most prevalent genera found on both blue grama and western wheatgrass were Helicotylenchus, Pararylmchus, Xiphinema, and Tylenchorhynchus
era found on both blue grama and western wheatgrass were Helicotylenchus, Pararylmchus, Xiphinema, and Tylenchorhynchus. Paratylenchus and Helicotylenchus were the most prevalent genera in North Dakota and in South Dakota, respectively. We concluded that sufficient phenotypic variability existed in western wheatgrass to warrant initiating a breeding program. Blue grama varied in maturity, but as other characteristics were not identified, initiation of a breeding program will be delayed until variability is investigated further. Plant parasitic nematodes commonly found in range sites might be a limiting factor on range productivity.
Citation
Barker, R E.; Berdahl, J D.; Krupinsky, J M.; and Jacobson, E T., "Collections of Western Wheatgrass and Blue Grama and Associated Nematode Genera in the Western Dakotas" (1981). IGC Proceedings (1981-2023). 22.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1981/section1/22)
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Collections of Western Wheatgrass and Blue Grama and Associated Nematode Genera in the Western Dakotas
Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis[Willd. ex H.B.K.J Lag. ex Griffiths) are widely distributed throughout the U.S.A. They arc two of the predominant native grasses in rangelands in the northern Great Plains. Because suitable cultivars are not always available for reseeding disturbed areas, we collected plants of the two species and evaluated phenotypic variability to determine potential for breeding improvement. We also sampled the nematode population associated with the collections. Sampling sites were systematically chosen by establishing a grid pattern 19 .3 km apart in the western halves of North Dakota and South Dakota. Five collections, including a portion of the root system, were made of each species at each of about 1,040 sites in 1977 by SCS field technicians. Individual plants were extracted from samples and transplanted to the field for agronomic evaluations. Nematodes were extracted from the soil fraction of the collection samples. Data collected on individual plants were averaged over all plants collected at one site (entries). Relative maturity of western wheatgrass entry means ranged from 178.2 to 195.0 Julian days and from Julian date 169 to 204 for individual plants. Average
fertility for entry means was 35.6 % , and mean seed yield from 5 heads was 0.59 g. Awn length ranged from none to > 5 mm. Fewer characteristics were measured of blue grama than of western wheatgrass. The maturity range for blue grama was 13.5 days for entry means and 15 days for individual plants. Plant parasitic nematodes were found in 59% of the 3, 101 soil samples analyzed. The most prevalent genera found on both blue grama and western wheatgrass were Helicotylenchus, Pararylmchus, Xiphinema, and Tylenchorhynchus
era found on both blue grama and western wheatgrass were Helicotylenchus, Pararylmchus, Xiphinema, and Tylenchorhynchus. Paratylenchus and Helicotylenchus were the most prevalent genera in North Dakota and in South Dakota, respectively. We concluded that sufficient phenotypic variability existed in western wheatgrass to warrant initiating a breeding program. Blue grama varied in maturity, but as other characteristics were not identified, initiation of a breeding program will be delayed until variability is investigated further. Plant parasitic nematodes commonly found in range sites might be a limiting factor on range productivity.
