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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #216965
Title: Genetic Characterization of Fitness Traits in Thickspike Wheatgrass

Author
item Robins, Joseph
item Jensen, Kevin

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2008
Publication Date: 10/9/2008
Citation: Robins, J.G., Jensen, K.B. 2008. Genetic Characterization of Fitness Traits in Thickspike Wheatgrass. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 88:925-927.

Interpretive Summary: Thickspike wheatgrass is a drought tolerant, spreading native rangeland grass. It is frequently used for seeding restoration projects on rangelands of the western U.S. Key weaknesses are poor seed production and poor stand establishment. Improving seed production and spreading ability would increase the utility of the species in restoration projects. This study characterized the performance of a group of thickspike wheatgrass lines for seed production, spreading ability, and forage production. Results suggested improvements could be made for seed production and spreading ability but not for forage production.

Technical Abstract: Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus) is a native, autotetraploid (2N=4X=28), perennial grass characterized by its tolerance to drought and its rhizomatous growth habit. It is a desirable species for reseeding of degraded rangeland in the western U.S., but exhibits poor seed production and establishment ability. Improved seed production and rhizome spread, in conjunction, with forage production would enhance the performance of this species in reseeding efforts. This study included a group of half-sib families developed from the polycross of individuals from the cultivars Bannock and Schwendimar and analyzed their performance across two years at a location near Nephi, UT, U.S. Significant variation and heritability within the population and high transgressive segregants occurred for seed production and rhizome spread, but not for forage production. Additionally, there were no negative correlations between any of the traits. Thus, selection for increased seed production and rhizome spread within this population should prove successful but would not be successful for increased forage production.