Improved Grasses and Forbs for Intermountain Rangelands

Revegetation with improved cultivars of grasses and forbs represents an economical and long-lasting means of improving depleted rangelands. Plant germplasm generated by plant breeding programs has had a major impact on rangeland improvement and excellent opportunities exist for continued progress. Interspecific hybridization is a valuable breeding tool for combining the genetic resources of related grass species. The crested wheatgrass cultivar Hycrest, which is a hybrid between induced tetraploid Agropyron cristatum and natural tetraploid A. desertorum , along with ‘Bozoisky-Select’ Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys jurtcea) , are notable examples of recent genetic progress in range grasses. The new cultivar NewHy, an advanced-generation hybrid between quackgrass (Elytrigia repens ) and bluebunch wheatgrass ( Pseudoroegneria spicata) , has demonstrated exceptional potential as a quality forage grass for saline sites. Wide hybridization is being used to improve important native grasses, including bluebunch wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass ( Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) , and Snake River wheatgrass (another subspecies of E. lanceolatus) . Superior populations of dryland alfalfas (Medicago sativa) and kura clover ( Trifolium ambiguum) have been widely distributed. Elite germplasms of other leguminous and nonleguminous rangeland forbs are being developed and evaluated.