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R-794 (Revised)
Kevin K. Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management
Specialist, NDSU, Fargo
Dwight A. Tober, Plant Materials Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Bismarck
John Berdahl, cientist, USDA-ARS, Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory,
Mandan
Introduction Introduced Grasses
Bromegrass
Fescue
Foxtail
Wheatgrass
WildryeNative Grasses
Warm-Season Grasses
Selection of the proper species and variety is one important step in making a grass seeding successful. Grass species and varieties differ in growth habit, productivity, forage quality, drought resistance, tolerance to grazing, winter hardiness, seedling vigor, salinity tolerance and many other characteristics. Therefore, selection should be based on the climate, soils, intended use, and the management planned. Planting the proper selection can also provide long-term benefits and affect future productivity of the stand.
This publication is designed to help producers and land managers in North Dakota select perennial grass species and varieties for rangeland and pasture seeding and conservation planting. A description of each species and variety is included. Variety origin and date released is also given for additional reference.
A guide is provided to aid in selection of grass species for droughty soils, arid environments, and saline or alkaline areas. This guide is intended to assist in the selection process and should help in reclamation of disturbed areas or seeding of pastures and rangeland. Before selecting the plant species used, several factors should be considered including 1) a soil test, 2) identification of the type of vegetation that previously grew on the location before it was disturbed, 3) weather patterns (precipitation and temperature factors), 4) planting methods recommended for each plant species (refer to circulars R-563, Forage Establishment; R-917, Grass Seed Production in North Dakota; and R-790, Planting Tips), and 5) erosion potential.
Introduced grass species (also referred to as "tame grass") and varieties can be planted for pastureland, hayland, waterways, conservation cover, filter strips and wildlife habitat. Some species require a high level of management and fertility to provide long-term protection of the soil and high herbage performance.
Use certified seed to assure varietal identity and genetic purity. An alternative is to use common seed of adapted varieties harvested in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Meadow
Varieties Date Released -------------------------- Fleet* 1987 Paddock* 1987 Regar 1966 *Fleet and Paddock are Canadian varieties with higher seed yields.Meadow bromegrass is a long-lived, cool-season, perennial bunchgrass. It has good seedling vigor and is easy to establish. Forage quality is excellent. It has strong regrowth potential following grazing. Leaves are dominantly basal. Under favorable moisture, leaves remain green and continue to grow after the seed crop is mature. Meadow bromegrass is winter hardy but provides less forage than smooth bromegrass under drought stress. It is suggested for use with alfalfa for hay and pasture on good moisture sites. Meadow bromegrass has excellent regrowth potential when moisture is adequate
Smooth (17KB b&w illustration)Types Varieties Date Released ----------------------------------------- Northern Carlton 1961 Intermediate Signal 1983 Magna 1968 Manchar 1943 Southern Badger 1990 Radisson 1989 Rebound 1978 Beacon 1976 Barton 1973 Baylor 1962 Saratoga 1955 Lincoln 1942Smooth bromegrass is a long-lived, cool-season, sod-forming perennial grass used extensively for hay, pasture and soil conservation. Northern and intermediate types develop less aggressive sod and may maintain the alfalfa component of a mixture longer. Southern types are earlier in maturity. It is an excellent hay and pasture grass for the eastern two-thirds of North Dakota and on better soils westward. Close grazing in the spring delays regrowth from crown buds. Stands become unproductive in three to four years if not fertilized. It is used extensively for grassed waterways and other soil and water conservation practices. Rebound was selected for rapid recovery after haying or grazing.
Hard
Varieties Date Released ------------------------- Discovery 1996 Aurora 1985 Reliant 1981 Durar 1949Hard fescue is a special purpose, semi-erect, densely tufted, drought tolerant, perennial, cool-season bunchgrass. It is highly competitive, durable and shade tolerant with an extensive root system. Primary use is for revegetation of disturbed areas, roadsides, ditch banks, conservation planting and for turf around farmyards, airports and other heavy use areas. Reliant and Aurora are newer varieties that are shorter than Durar and are well suited for low maintenance turf. Shallow planting is critical. Seedlings develop slowly the first year.
Creeping (9KB b&w illustration)
Varieties Date Released ------------------------- Retain 1979 Garrison* 1963 *North Dakota releaseCreeping foxtail is a very early maturing, highly palatable, cool-season, perennial, sod-forming grass that grows best on wet or imperfectly drained soils. It tolerates long periods of flooding in early spring. A uniformly moist soil, exceeding 50 percent of field capacity, is beneficial during seedling emergence for successful establishment. The light fluffy seed tends to clog in grain drills. For seed production, the variety Retain has less seed loss due to shattering. Garrison tends to have high forage yield. Primary use is for hay, pasture and conservation planting on wet or imperfectly drained soils. This species can be invasive on wet sites as the seed is very light and easily transported to other wet sites.
Bluebunch-Quackgrass hybrid
Varieties Date Released ------------------------- NewHy 1993NewHy wheatgrass is a long-lived perennial grass with a moderate amount of vegetative spread developed as a hybrid between quackgrass and bluebunch wheatgrass. It has demonstrated a relatively high level of tolerance to salinity. NewHy is more saline-tolerant than crested and intermediate wheatgrass and nearly as tolerant as tall wheatgrass.
Crested (9KB b&w illustration)Types Varieties Date Released ---------------------------------- Standard Nordan* 1953 RoadCrest 1998 Summit 1953 Fairway Ephraim 1983 Ruff 1972 Parkway 1969 Fairway 1927 Hybrid CD-II 1996 Kirk 1987 HyCrest 1984 *North Dakota releaseCrested wheatgrass is an early, long-lived, cool-season, drought tolerant, perennial bunchgrass with excellent seedling vigor and ease of establishment. It is used primarily for hay and early spring pasture in mixtures with alfalfa. The fairway types are shorter, leafier and have less tendency to form large clumps with age. The variety Fairway is frequently used in dryland lawns. Ephraim has lower forage yields but was selected for its slowly developing sod-forming characteristic, which is useful as a low-maintenance ground cover. RoadCrest has a short stature and finer leaves and is moderately rhizomatous, which is desirable for roadsides and other low-maintenance applications. HyCrest, Kirk, and CD-II are varieties of hybrid crested wheatgrass obtained by crossing standard and fairway types.
Intermediate (12KB b&w illustration)Types Varieties Date Released Intermediate Reliant* 1991 Clarke 1980 Slate 1969 Chief 1961 Oahe 1961 Pubescent Manska* 1992 Greenleaf 1966 Mandan 759* Informal *North Dakota releaseIntermediate wheatgrass is a vigorous, fast-growing, cool-season, perennial, sod-forming grass. Varieties differ in the amount of pubescence on seed head and leaves. The pubescent varieties are reported to be more drought tolerant and form a sod more rapidly than intermediate varieties. Forage yield is similar among all varieties and types, with the exception of Reliant, Oahe, Chief, and Manska, which tend to be higher producing. Both types of intermediate wheatgrass are often included in seed mixtures for hay and pasture due to their ease of establishment and fast growth. To maintain productivity, do not closely graze in the spring and do not graze past August 1. Intermediate wheatgrass is often used in seed mixtures for wildlife habitat. Reliant is more of a bunch type, developed to be less competitive with alfalfa in hayland planting. Manska, reselected from Mandan 759, has shown significantly higher forage quality and improved animal daily gain in grazing tests in Nebraska.
SiberianVarieties Date Released ------------------------- Vavilov 1994 P-27 1953Similar to crested wheatgrass in appearance, Siberian wheatgrass has awnless seed heads more numerous than crested. It is drought resistant and well adapted to light, droughty soils; however, Siberian wheatgrass appears to be a shorter lived plant that may not be very persistent in a grass stand.
Tall (15KB b&w illustration)Varieties Date Released ------------------------ Orbit 1966 Platte 1966 Jose 1965 Alkar 1951Tall wheatgrass is a tall, coarse, late-maturing, cool-season, perennial bunch grass. It is a special purpose grass used to revegetate saline-alkali soils with high water tables. The plant normally becomes coarse and unpalatable to livestock as it matures. Jose is finer-leaved and rated higher in forage quality. Palatability of hay is fair to good if cut prior to or just after heading. A 6-inch stubble height should be left. Tall wheatgrass is used in narrow, uniformly spaced barriers for soil erosion control and to manage snow for moisture conservation on cropland. It is often seeded in a mixture with intermediate wheatgrass, alfalfa and sweetclover for wildlife habitat.
Altai (11KB b&w illustration)
Varieties Date Released ------------------------ Pearl 1989 Eejay 1989 Prairieland 1976Altai wildrye is a long-lived, cool-season, drought tolerant, winter-hardy, perennial bunchgrass with coarse, erect leaves. It is a special purpose grass used to extend the grazing season into the late fall and winter. Upright and erect stature and leaf retention after snowfall permits late fall/early winter grazing. It is adapted to loam and clay soils. Seedlings develop slowly, and stand establishment is more difficult than many other grass species. The root system is extensive and penetrates to depths of 10 feet. It possesses moderately high tolerance to saline-alkali soils, but less than tall wheatgrass and the bluebunch wheatgrass-quackgrass hybrid "NewHy". Forage nutritional value is retained into late fall and winter for grazing. Seed supply is limited due to its low seed yield. Aftermath growth must be removed by clipping or grazing to maintain maximum seed yield. Recommended as a single-species stand for grazing.
DahurianVarieties Date Released ------------------------ Arthur 1989 James 1989Dahurian wildrye is a short-lived perennial bunchgrass that is easy to establish, with excellent seedling vigor, good forage production, and quick recovery after haying. Dahurian is recommended for hay or pasture in situations where stands persist past two or three years. It has been seeded in alternate or perpendicular rows with longer-lived but slower establishing grasses to enhance early production. Authur and James are Canadian varieties.
MammothVarieties Date Released ------------------------ Volga 1949Mammoth wildrye is a tall, coarse, perennial, cool-season grass with stout rhizomes. It has poor forage quality but provides excellent erosion control on sandy soils, including inland sand dunes and blowout areas. It is often seeded with sand bluestem using a companion grass mixture.
Russian (11KB b&w illustration)Varieties Date Released ----------------------------- Mankota* 1991 Tetracan 1988 Bozoisky Select 1983 Swift 1978 Vinall* 1960 *North Dakota releaseRussian wildrye is an early, long-lived, cool-season, drought tolerant, perennial bunchgrass with fine basal leaves. It is a special purpose grass used primarily to extend the grazing season into late fall. Protein content of the forage remains at relatively high levels when saved for fall grazing. It is adapted to loam and clay soils and possesses a moderately high tolerance to saline-alkali soils. Seedlings develop more slowly than many other species, but once established, Russian wildrye is highly competitive with other forage species, Russian wildrye is recommended for fall grazing in separate pastures as a single species. Mankota is a new variety selected for improved seedling vigor, resistance to leaf diseases and 15 to 20 percent higher forage yields in good moisture sites or years.
Many of the native grass species have specific traits that adapt them for use in range, pasture, hayland, wildlife habitat or conservation plantings.
Performance and adaptation of native grass varieties differ by point of origin because of natural selection, which occurs due to environmental conditions such as temperature, day length, growing season, etc. Experience has shown that seed from a native harvest can be moved about 300 miles north or 200 miles south of its origin without serious adaptation difficulties. Some cool-season grass species such as western wheatgrass and green needlegrass have broad areas of adaptation. Movement east and west is influenced primarily by precipitation and elevation. An increase of 1,000 feet in elevation is equivalent to a move of about 175 miles north of its origin.
Use certified seed to assure varietal identity and genetic purity. An alternative is to use common seed of adapted varieties harvested in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
These grasses are most productive in spring and fall during periods of cool temperatures and plentiful moisture.
Reed (13KB b&w illustration)
Varieties Origin Date Released -------------------------------- Palaton IA 1985 Venture IA 1983 Vantage MN, IA 1972 Rise NE,Canada 1964Reed canarygrass is a high-yielding, strongly rhizomatous, sod-forming grass on wet or imperfectly drained soils and under irrigation. Tolerance to saline-alkali soils is low. It can withstand long periods of early spring flooding. High alkaloid content reduces palatability when grazed but is not a problem in hay. Palaton and Venture are low alkaloid content varieties and are recommended for grazing. Rise and Vantage have moderate alkaloid levels compared to older varieties. This species can be invasive on wet sites.
Green (13KB b&w illustration)
Varieties Origin Date Released ---------------------------------- Lodorm* ND 1969 *North Dakota releaseGreen needlegrass is a perennial, early drought-tolerant bunchgrass adapted to a wide range of soils. Seed harvested from native stands has a high level of dormancy. The variety Lodorm was released because of less seed dormancy after harvest compared to native seed. It is a highly palatable grass and is widely used in rangeland seeding.
Bluebunch (14KB b&w illustration)
Varieties Origin Date Released -------------------------------- Goldar ID 1989 Secar ID 1980Bluebunch wheatgrass is a long-lived, drought tolerant, highly palatable and nutritious bunchgrass. This species is sensitive to overgrazing. It is best adapted to the droughty soils of western North Dakota.
Slender (16KB b&w illustration)Varieties Origin Date Released ------------------------------------- Adanac Sask.,Canada 1990 Pryor MT 1988 Revenue Canada 1970 Primar MT, WA 1946Slender wheatgrass is a short-lived cool-season, perennial bunchgrass. It is primarily used in seed mixtures of introduced and native grasses due to its excellent seedling vigor, ease of establishment and fast growth. Plants lose vigor and decline in abundance within three to four years. Presence in mixtures improves stand productivity, especially during the first production year, until other grasses become better established. It possesses a high tolerance to saline-alkali soils.
Thickspike/streambankVarieties Origin Date Released ------------------------------------ Bannock OR, ID, WA 1995 Elbee Albe.,Canada 1980 Critana MT 1971 Sodar OR 1954Thickspike wheatgrass is a strongly rhizomatous, perennial, sod-forming grass found on rough, broken buttes and to a limited extent on sagebrush flats in native grasslands. The variety Sodar has been used extensively for revegetation of disturbed areas, roadsides, runways for small airplanes, and other critical areas that receive little or no maintenance. Stem and leaf rust may be a problem on some sites and in the eastern half of North Dakota. Authorities currently recognize thickspike and streambank as the same species.
Western (11KB b&w illustration)Varieties Origin Date Released ------------------------------------ Rodan* ND 1983 Walsh Sask.,Canada 1983 Flintlock NE 1975 Rosana MT 1972 *North Dakota releaseWestern wheatgrass, North Dakota's state grass, is a long-lived, drought-resistant, sod-forming grass found throughout the state, especially on medium to fine textured soils. It has a high level of tolerance to saline-alkali soils and can withstand periodic flooding. Stands are slow to develop from seed. It is widely used in seed mixtures for rangeland seeding, revegetation of saline-alkali areas and in critical area planting for erosion control. Rodan is similar to the variety Rosana in area of adaptation but is more productive on coarse-textured soils and areas of higher rainfall. Walsh is adapted to fine-textured, moderately saline-alkaline soils.
Basin (21KB b&w illustration)
Varieties Origin Date Released ----------------------------------- Trailhead MT 1991 Magnar Sask,Canada 1979Basin wildrye is a perennial bunchgrass native to much of the western United States. It performs best on flood plains or areas receiving additional moisture; however, basin wildrye performed well on sandy soils in western North Dakota receiving average yearly precipitation of 12 to 18 inches during the years of field evaluation. Seedlings develop slowly, and stand establishment is difficult. Basin wildrye is a tall grass that provides excellent standing forage for livestock and nesting and escape cover for wildlife. It can also be used as a grass windbreak for wind erosion protection or to control blowing snow. Basin wildrye does not do well on coarse, shallow or heavy clay soils. This grass is susceptible to leaf and stem rusts in the eastern half of North Dakota.
BeardlessVarieties Origin Date Released -------------------------------- Shoshone WY 1980Beardless wildrye is a rhizomatous perennial grass adapted to wet, saline-alkali soils. Its use is limited due to slow seed germination and seedling development. Field tests on highly saline soils indicate that Shoshone beardless wildrye is superior to Rosana western wheatgrass in providing ground cover. Due to slow seedling development, proper seedbed preparation is important to minimize competition from weeds. It is suggested for use on saline-seep discharge areas. Plant in late fall as a dormant-season seeding to improve seed germination.
Canada (14KB b&w illustration)Varieties Origin Date Released -------------------------------- Mandan* ND 1946 *North Dakota releaseCanada wildrye is a short-lived bunchgrass with large coarse leaves, excellent seedling vigor and fair palatability if grazed or hayed before heading. It has potential in mixtures on sandy soils and critical areas for early establishment of cover until other species are established. The awned seedheads of Canada wildrye are showy, and the grass is often used for decorative planting near roadside rest areas and in parks.
R-794 (Revised), June 2011
County Commissions, North Dakota State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, public assistance status, sex, sexual orientation, status as a U.S. veteran, race or religion. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 231-7708. This publication will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities upon request, 701 231-7881.
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Information for Prospective Students
NDSU is an EO/AA university
Feel free to use and share this content, but please do so under the conditions of our Creative Commons license. Thanks.