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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Pascopyrum (smithii)

Dave Skinner
PMC Farm Manager
USDA NRCS - Pullman Plant Materials Center
Room 211A Hulbert Hall WSU
Pullman, Washington 99164-6211
509-335-9689
509-335-2940 (fax)
abbie@wsu.edu
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/wapmc
Family Scientific Name: Poaceae
Family Common Name: Grass
Scientific Name: Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Love
Common Synonym: Agropyron smithii Rydb.
Common Name: Western wheatgrass
Species Code: PASM
General Distribution: Most of US except the Atlantic Coast and Deep South. Usually on heavy soils where mean annual precipitation ranges from 8-36 inches.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Time To Grow: 4 Months
Target Specifications: Tight root plug in container.
Propagule Collection: Seed ripens in early to mid August in the Pullman area. It is collected when the inflorescence begins to dry and the seed is in the soft to hard dough stage but before it shatters from the inflorescence. Seed can be stripped from the inflorescence or the inflorescence can be clipped from the plant. Harvested seed is stored in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned.
114,000 seed/lb (USDA, NRCS. 2004).
110-156,000 seed/lb (Hassell, et al. 1996).
Propagule Processing: Small amounts are rubbed to free the seed, then cleaned with an air column separator. Larger amounts are threshed with a hammermill, then cleaned with air screen equipment. Clean seed is stored in controlled conditions at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% relative humidity.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seed germinates well without pretreatment.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 In January seed is sown in the greenhouse in 10 cu. in. Ray Leach Super cell conetainers filled with Sunshine #4 and covered lightly. Head space of ¬ to « inch is maintained in conetainers to allow deep watering. A thin layer of pea gravel is applied to prevent seeds from floating. Conetainers are watered deeply.
Establishment Phase: Medium is kept moist until germination occurs. Germination usually begins in 7 days and is complete in 14 days. Western wheatgrass germinates more slowly than many other cool season grasses and this may limit its ability to establish from seed, especially on dry sites.
It will germinate at a wide range of temperatures (Knipe, 1973).
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 weeks
Active Growth Phase: Plants are watered deeply every other day and fertilized once per week with a complete, water soluble fertilizer containing micro-nutrients.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 3 months
Hardening Phase: Plants are moved to the cold frame in late March or early April, depending on weather conditions. They are watered every other day if the weather is cool, and every day during hot, dry spells.
Length of Hardening Phase: 2-4 weeks
Other Comments: No insect or disease problems have been noted.
Clean seed retains high germination for at least ten years under cool, dry storage conditions. High heat and/or high humidity reduce seed storage life.
Plants may be propagated by division. This method should only be used for plants growing in cultivation. Plants should not be dug up from stands in the wild.
Western wheatgrass is strongly rhizomatous and it should be possible to propagate plants from rhizomes. However, the Pullman PMC had poor results from this method. (USDA, NRCS, 1996).
References: Hassell, et al. 1996. Seeding Rate Statistics for Native and Introduced Species. USDI National Park Service and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Hitchcock, C. Leo, and Arthur Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle, WA.
Knipe, O.D. 1973.Western wheatgrass germination as related to temperature, light, and moisture stress. Jour. Range Mgmt. 26:68-69.
USDA, NRCS. 1996. 1995-96 Annual Tech. Report. p 138-139. Pullman Plant Materials Center. Pullman, WA.
USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Citation:

Skinner, David M,. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Love plants USDA NRCS - Pullman Plant Materials Center Pullman, Washington. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.