Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Plant Select^® is a program with the goal to create smart plant choices for a New American Landscape inspired by the Rocky Mountain Region. It is the country’s leading source of plants designed to thrive in the high plains and intermountain region; a non-profit collaboration of Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens, and horticulturists from around the world.

In 2016, Plant Select® introduced four plants and recommended two. A new hybrid delosperma, salvia, Cynodon, and viburnum were introduced. The delosperma is hybrid selection for tough, vigorous, cold-hardy form with large blazing orange-red flowers in late spring – early autumn. (Delosperma ‘PWWG02S’). The salvia is a superior form of West Texas sage chosen for its compact and consistent growth habit (Salvia reptans ‘P016S’). Cynodon ‘PWIN04S’ is a sterile hybrid that spreads by runner which is similar to American Buffalo grass but more resilient to wear and tear. Viburnum burejaeticum ‘P017S’ is a selection of plant native to Russia and Northern China which is an excellent smaller shrub for cold climates. Numerous plants from seeds collected on a Plant Select® sponsored trip to Kazakhstan in 2010 were evaluated in plots at Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield. Several have been chosen for introduction into the Plant Select® program in the near future. Numerous presentations concerning these plants were given throughout 2016 to many industry personnel throughout the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain regions which included references about WERA-1013 and contributions from other WERA-1013 members.

In Wyoming, we successfully completed another season of our All-America Display Garden, featuring several native plant cousins, on the University of Wyoming campus. We used two different locations this year, however; the original near Old Main and raised beds at our Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC). The Old Main location is open 24/7 and is in a very public, visible spot. The LREC location is only open during weekdays and was highlighted during the annual LREC Field Day. A short peer-reviewed synopsis of our AAS gardens was published in the 2016 University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Field Days Bulletin.

Several perennial plants bred from natives were grown including Echinacea purpurea ‘Powwow Wild Berry’ (2010 official AAS winner), Echinacea hybrida ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ (2013 AAS winner), Gaillardia aristata ‘Arizona Apricot’ (2011 winner), and Gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’ (2010 winner), Gaura lindheimeri ‘Sparkle White’ (2014 winner), and Penstemon hartwegii ‘Arabesque’ (2014 winner). Overwintering success of the Echinacea cultivars has been mixed. Both Gaillardia cultivars have shown excellent winter hardiness with excellent summer bloom all season long. Neither Gaura ‘Sparkle White’ nor Penstemon ‘Arabesque’ survive our winters. They are both rated to USDA Hardiness Zone 6; Laramie is 4 (AAS makes the plant selections each year, we do not get to choose).  

During the 2016 growing season we also grew two cultivars of native Helianthus annuus (Dafna and ProCut Bicolor) as cut flowers in the greenhouse and in two high tunnels. Growth and development was faster in the greenhouse and stems were also longer as compared to those grown in the high tunnels.

The WERA1013 Intermountain Native Plants web site is still hosted by the University of Wyoming. Our webmaster, Ann Tanaka, continues to maintain the site and we add and update material as needed. The site can be found at http://www.wyoextension.org/westernnativeplants/.

Researchers in Iowa defined pretreatments to maximize germination of seeds from a North American species of Nyssa that could be a valuable new species for the nursery industry.  In addition, Iowa researchers led a multi-state team that completed a five-year projected focused on the development of new bioplastic containers for the nursery industry.  These containers may be particularly of interest to producers of native plants.

Montana State 1) organized Master Gardener volunteer hours to help with maintenance, data and seed collection, and seed cleaning of the native perennial research/demonstration garden.  Master Gardeners were educated on the plants in the garden.  Garden was disassembled and Master Gardeners transplanted plant material to their home gardens.  Master Gardeners were surveyed on the survival of the plant material in the fall. 2) Gave tours and presentations to garden groups, Master Gardeners, and Montana Ag Teachers as well as participating in a Horticulture Field Day. 3) Completed work on Specialty Crop Block Grant “Addressing the demand for cost-effective production of Montana native plants.”  This work resulted in 2 peer-reviewed publications accepted to the grower-accessible Native Plants Journal and 1 paper currently in review, 8 videos (2 videos each on 4 plant species research) on species-specific propagation techniques for nursery growers (available on Facebook), 4 brochures on species-specific propagation tools and techniques for the general public, and 1 grower survey on the demand and barriers to production of native plants in Montana. 4) Received grant from the City of Bozeman to study native grasses in median strips.

Nevada focused on educating master gardeners, green industry trainees, university students and the general public in appropriate use of native plants for conserving landscape water and reducing wildfire threat to homes; generated interest and excitement about native plant landscaping by local nurseries and the general public, incorporating fire-safe landscaping into our message; and plan in 2017 to incorporate educational information on replacement of potentially invasive exotic plant species with native species to mitigate the potential for horticultural plant invasions.

In Texas, a series of webinars organized including Crapemyrtle cultivars and their landscape use, Landscape salinity management, Other crapemyrtle problems and control strategies, A virtual tour of 2016 California Spring Trial-Central, Landscape plant growth control using PGRs, A virtual tour of 2016 California Spring Trial-Northern Trials, “What’s the BUZZ about drones?” and workshops were organized on Earth Kind landscape and All about crapemyrtles.

Texas researchers conducted a salt tolerance study on nine ornamental species: three widespread used herbaceous ornamental plants [butterfly blue (Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), and eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)], three shrub-like perennials [mexican false heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia), mexican hummingbird bush (Dicliptera suberecta), and rock rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)], and three shrub species [‘Dark knight’ bluebeard (Caryopteris × clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’), flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. Wrightii), and orange peel jessamine (Cestrum ‘Orange Peel’)]. We irrigated the plants with nutrient solution with electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS∙m^-1 (control) or saline solution at EC of 5.0 or 10.0 dS∙m^-1 (EC 5 or EC 10) for eight weeks. According to their growth and physiological responses, the relative salt tolerance was determined.

Utah State University researchers have conducted the following research (a through e):

1. Propagation of Gambel oak by layering. Cumulative data on layering propagation of Gambel oak over the last four years showed a marked increase in rooting of layers from 2012-2015 for both controls (4, 8, 21, 49% per year, respectively) and a treatment of the treatment (17, 35, 56, and 65% per year, respectively).  The treatment consisted of girdling (4 x 0.10-inch cable tie 1 cm above the shoot base) and auxin (4000 ppm indolebutyric acid and 2000 ppm naphthalene acetic acid as Dip’N Grow^® in 25% ethanol applied to the 3 cm of stem immediately above the girdle) applied in early July of each year.  The data for 2013 was pooled from shoots given the 4000/2000 ppm auxin treatment or 8000/4000 ppm since there was no apparent difference in rooting between the two.  As stock plants grew, the number of shoots available for layering and selected increased from one to five per plant. 

There was a marked increase in rooting of layers from 2012-2015 for both the control (4, 8, 21, 49% per year, respectively) and the treatment (17, 35, 56, and 65% per year, respectively).  Analysis of the probability of rooting over the 4-year period using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS/STAT (0.05 level) showed a significant effect of both time and the girdle/auxin treatment.  The reason for increased rooting with age of stock plant is unknown.  A similar analysis of the number of roots per rooted layer showed no statistical significance due to time or treatment.  Among the rooted layers transplanted, there was no significant impact of treatment on survival.  However, there was a correlation between the average diameter of the largest three roots/shoot and subsequent survival.  On an observational level, only 13% of controls and 21% of treated shoots from 2015 survived and grew, indicating that improvements are needed before this method is commercially viable for propagation of Gambel oak.

1. On August 10, 2015 budwood collected from a Cottam oak (A-6540; a hybrid of gambelii and Q. turbinella) from Red Butte Gardens was collected at 11:30 AM, leaf blades removed, wrapped in moist paper towel and placed in a cooler at ambient temperature. Buds were applied to two coppiced seedling Gambel oak rootstocks in a layer bed environment using chip buds and Buddy^® tape using roughly 2-3 layers of tape.  All buds were applied in the afternoon of the same day.  Similar budding was done on seedling oaks in Cache Valley. 

Evaluation of budding in Kaysville as determined by breaking buds on 26 May 2016 showed only one of 18 buds survived and broke (4%).  In contrast, 17 of 18 bud shields (the woody part holding the bud) were viable (94%).  This would indicate that the grafting technique was adequate, but additional requirements were needed for bud survival.  Evaluation of budding in Cache Valley on 21 April 2016 showed two of 17 buds survived (12%).  It is important to note that successful grafting of bud shields is not an adequate indicator of successful bud take.

It is interesting to note that during the heat of the summer the leaves on the shoot growing from the single surviving bud at Kaysville dried out and the shoot completely died in late June.  Also in late June one of the two successful shoots in Cache Valley had all its leaves dry up, but the shoot did not die and viable axillary buds survived.  The remaining shoot (which was shaded underneath the canopy of surrounding rootstock leaves) survived.  Apparently, even if the buds survive, the vascular connections are so weak that the evaporative demand of summer conditions exceeds the ability of the graft union to transport water to the leaves.  This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the leaves on the shoot growing in a more shaded environment (which would have had less evaporative demand) did wilt.  This condition may be unique to Cottam A-6540 when grafted on Gambel oak rootstock and further testing will be required to see if it is common to grafts with other selections.

1. Three plants were submitted to the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES) Variety Review Committee. Those plants include Alice bigtooth maple (Acer saccharum grandidentatum ‘Alice’), Semi-Gloss Creeping Oregon Grape (Berberis repens ‘Semi-Gloss’), and Hoodoo littleleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius subsp. intricatus ‘Hoodoo’).  In addition, Hoodoo was entered into the PlantSelect^® program in Colorado for landscape testing.

6. An experiment was conducted on rooting cuttings of DoubleDown littleleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius intricatus ‘DoubleDown) where treatments consisted of 3000 ppm IBA/1500 ppm NAA as Dip ‘N Grow^® in 25% ethanol or 3000 ppm IBA as Hormodin 2^® talc (n=44). While the data have not been fully analyzed as yet, the liquid treatment resulted in 44% rooting with an average of 6.4 roots per cutting and with the longest root averaging 50 mm.  The talc treatment resulted in 50%, 8.9 roots and 41 mm length.

2016. A rooting experiment was conducted on Rocky mountain maple (Acer glabrum) collected from the Deep Creek, Utah range on 13 July 2016. A variety of hormones and cuttings were used, but confusion with the labeled resulted in our only being able to determine overall rooting which was 84% with an average of 6.4 roots per cutting.  Rocky mountain maple is very difficult to germinate from seed and there is little to no literature suggesting it can be propagated vegetatively.  The fact that we were able to collect cuttings in the wild in mid-July and get 84% rooting suggests that this selection may be exceptional in its ability to root. 

The Forage and Range Research Laboratory (FRRL) Logan, UT has six objectives, all of which fall under National Program 215, Component 5.1. Develop and transfer economically viable and environmentally protective production and conservation practices, technologies, plant materials, and integrated management strategies. Progress on this project focuses on the development of improved germplasm for rangeland, pasture, and turf applications and the identification of best management practices for sustainable agriculture in the western U.S.  The project plan has 6 objectives, which are as follows:  Objective 1:  Improve pasture and rangeland management practices and forage nutritional quality through improved genetics for structure/variation, stand establishment, forage quality, nutrient cycling and persistence characteristics for use on disturbed and semi-arid rangelands in the Great Basin and eastern Upper Mojave Desert, through collection, characterization, improvement and evaluation of grass, legume, and forb germplasm.  Objective 2:  Develop grass, legume, forbs, and sub-shrub perennial germplasms/cultivars with increased stand establishment and persistence, seed production, and forage yield and quality on dry, harsh disturbed rangelands of the western US.  Objective 3.  Develop breeding strategies and improved grass and legume germplasm for use on pastures and turf under low inputs in the Intermountain West.  Objective 4:  Identify grass, legume, and sub-shrub species and mixtures that have increased forage biomass and quality for fall and winter grazing on semi-arid rangelands.   Objective 5:  Identify and describe trait inheritance, quantitative trait loci (QTL), and association mapping for rhizome development, fall and winter forage yield and quality, salinity tolerance, winter hardiness, heading and flowering date, turf quality, and selenium and other heavy metal uptake for improved forages using genomic techniques.  Objective 6:  Develop integrated management strategies that decrease invasive weed seed banks, increase biodiversity through the establishment of grass, legume, forb mixtures, and develop plant mixtures that reduce wildfires on salt desert and sagebrush shrub lands in the Great Basin.   The progress during FY-2017 by objective was as follows.
Objective 1) Morphology and/or genetic diversity of collections of sideoats (SO) and big galleta (BG) grasses, and rushy milkvetch (RV) were made in the Mojave Desert and Great Basin during 2012-014 (e.g., DNA assessment of SO and BG) or continued in 2015-2016 (e.g., morphological assessment of SO, BG, and RV).  Hybrids made from selected sideoats and big galleta collections were transplanted at Mojave Desert and Logan, Utah research sites for observation and selection, and an increase of BG was made in preparation for continued evaluation directed towards germplasm release in 3 to 5 years.  Objective 2)  Evaluation and selection continued in populations of native legumes, alfalfa, fine and creeping red fescues, prairie junegrass, and native and introduced wheatgrasses and wildryes, and meadow bromegrass for increased plant establishment, stand persistence, and forage yield, as well as, increased tolerance to heat, salt, and drought, which are traits necessary to survive in increasingly hot/dry climates in the western U.S. A two-year comparative analysis was completed that assessed forage quality in crested wheat grass, forage kochia, small burnet, cicer milkvetch, and alfalfa for winter forage quality. Data indicate that legumes cicer milkvetch and small burnet maintain digestible fiber into November below 50% and 45%, respectively, and that protein into January in these legumes is typically above 11% and 10%, respectively. In Great Basin growing environments, these values exceeded those of alfalfa and wheatgrass indicating their potential value for winter forage to reduce livestock feeding costs. A five-year study to identify plant materials adapted to increased competition from invasive grasses such as cheatgrass and adaptations to fluctuations in temperature and precipitation was completed on semi-arid range sites near Beaver and Tintic, Utah, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Malta, Idaho. Overall seedling establishment ranged from 28 to 70% seedling frequency at Tintic, Utah and Malta, Idaho, respectively. Although different species performed differently at various locations, four species (Siberian wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass and Snake River wheatgrass) established better than the other grasses examined. In general, newer varieties possessed increased establishment compared to the older varieties. These results can assist land managers in making informed decisions concerning the choice of plant materials for revegetation projects as related to potential seedling establishment and stand persistence. Evaluation of improved FRRL plant materials in harsh, wildfire burned areas of Nevada has also identified native and non-native grass and legume species that have potential for improvement of degraded rangelands.  Objective 3) Populations of tall fescue, orchardgrass, birdsfoot trefoil (irrigated pasture) and Kentucky bluegrass, wheatgrasses, and fine-leaved fescue (turf-grass) were selected for improved forage yield and quality (pasture) and quality and color (turf) under limited irrigation. Field evaluations continue to test the effectiveness of forage production in grass-legume mixtures comparing these to chemically fertilized monocultures. Turfgrass germplasm (i.e., bluegrasses, fine fescues, and wheatgrasses) were evaluated for drought and salt tolerance, and those plants having such were selected and intercrossed for continued progeny evaluation. The development of molecular markers in Kentucky bluegrass provides tools to quickly identify hybrids and measure the level of uniformity within the progeny. Thus, the FRRL continues to develop such tools to enhance the efficiency of selection for increased drought tolerance in this species.  Objective 4) Continued evaluation and development (hybridization of exceptional plants) led to progress in the formation of unique intermediate and tall wheatgrass populations for further evaluation to identify plants having potential to improve rangeland fall and winter forage. A drought tolerant meadow bromegrass population was released that possesses improved forage yield and quality.  Collaborative research with Sieben Land and Livestock ranch in Cascade Montana continues for the identification of a productive meadow bromegrass, intermediate wheatgrass, small burnet, and afalfa mixture for improvements in winter forage feeding management of cattle. Early results indicate that planting a mixture of intermediate wheatgrass and meadow brome more than doubled the forage yield and subsequent animal carrying capacity compared to the native range and orchardgrass/alfalfa mix typically used as winter forage. Another study evaluated the success of inter-seeding forage kochia into established wheatgrass stands, and measured the effect on forage mass, forage nutritive value, and grazing value as fall and winter forage. Forage kochia was successfully established using a two-pass chisel plow treatment to increase crude protein of the forage [8.8% compared to 4.5% for non-treated Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)] leading to increased stocking rate (1.6 Animal Unit Months (AUM)/acre compared to 0.5 AUM and for non-treated CRP) and grazing value (net return of $46.98/acre compared to $18.80 for non-treated CRP). Thus, inter-seeding of forage kochia into established CRP acreage can increase the potential for fall and winter grazing by livestock in the Great Basin. Objective 5) Experimentation continues to understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms responsible for yield and quality-related traits under salt and water stress in wildryes, orchardgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, alfalfa, and fine fescue. This research has identified unique plants and populations that have potential for rangeland, pasture, and turgrass low-input (water and fertilizer) applications. An integrated molecular genetic linkage map was constructed for intermediate wheatgrass. This linkage map provides a cornerstone for assembly of the USDOE-funded genome sequencing project that has identified regions of the genome responsible for vegetative regrowth, grain production, and biomass-related traits of this widely adapted and highly productive perennial grass. In another series of studies, use of genotype-by-sequencing DNA technologies has allowed for the development of a dense genetic map identifying flowering date in orchardgrass. Studies are also ongoing to define and locate quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling other economically important traits on this map, which will provide further elucidation of major genes contributing to this economically important trait. Additionally, a whole transcriptome study of Kentucky bluegrass breeding lines expression of tolerant and susceptible to salt stress has led to the identification of genes controlling tolerance under salt stress.  Objective 6) Wildfire resilient perennial shrubs and grasses are used in greenstrips to control fire spread and reduce its negative ecological impact.  Progress continues to define improved fire resilient grasses (wheatgrasses and fescue grasses) and shurbs (forage kochia) that act to reduce wildfire spread.  Genetically improved shrub and grass combinations were subjected to simulated wildfire pressure in 2015 and evaluated in 2016 at two Great Basin locations.  Some grasses (fine-leaved fescue and wheatgrasses) were identified that regrew after the fire treatment. In another study, a fine-leaved fescue grass was identified that remained green (fire resilient) throughout the summer season, and, thus, has potential for greenstrip applications. Additionally, a meta-analysis (comprehensive) was conducted on cheatgrass control treatments and shrub reduction methodologies, and an analysis was performed to determine the effects of mowing, herbicide, and burning on cheatgrass seed banks and perennial grass establishment. These analyses identified new management techniques and/or improved existing management practices for restoration of degraded sagebrush communities depending on their ecological site history.

Short-term outcomes

More than 2.6 million Plant Select^® plants were sold and all grown from grower members of Plant Select^® with most located in the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain Region.  These plants were purchased by many garden centers, landscape contractors, landscape management personnel throughout the WERA-1013 region and homeowners resulting in more satisfied gardeners. There are also Plant Select® demonstration gardens in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming reporting back to Plant Select® on performance of these plants in many areas in the region. Public education and numerous tours of the demonstration gardens were held at many of these gardens along with educational programs especially for the public.

Novel bioplastic materials are being used by industrial plastics manufacturers and sold to consumers.

At Montana, presentations and tours gave both commercial growers and home gardeners exposure to native plants. Master Gardeners were given hands-on experience with native plants.

Four of the five nurseries in the Reno area are now selling a variety of native species due to public demand. There is greater awareness among landscape professionals about native plant landscaping. Native plant educational efforts in Nevada are expanded to include the Lake Tahoe Basin residential area.

Professional landscape providers and homeowners in Texas who attended online webinars and presentations are more aware of the value sustainable landscaping.

The salt tolerance study showed large variations in salt tolerance among tested species. Orange peel jessamine and mexican hummingbird bush were the most salt-tolerant with the smallest growth reduction and no sign of salt damage. Followed by flame acanthus, rock rose, and ‘Dark knight’ bluebeard with minimal or no salt damage. Cardinal flower, mexican false heather, and butterfly blue were considered as moderately salt sensitive, while eastern red columbine was the most salt sensitive among the species investigated.

From USDA-ARS unit in Utah: Measureable short-term outcomes are documented by germplasm releases (see Outputs and Impacts) and interaction with clientele (see Activities), and the publication of scientific evidence (see Publications) leading to the improvement of degraded rangeland and pastures as a result of human intervention, wildfires, and infestation of invasive plant species.

From Utah State University: We are finally reaching a point where we can begin releasing plants.  We are seeing interest from some nurseries and will continue to work with them.  We are also adding to the literature on vegetative propagation of Utah native plants which should be of benefit to nurseries and other plant material specialists.

Since the AAS garden at Old Main is in an open area, there is virtually no way to track the number of visitors. A conservative estimate would easily be 2,000 individuals. It is in a heavily-used corner of campus on the west side of the UW administration building. The AAS raised beds at LREC were visited by about 30 citizens during the Field Day August 27, 2016. Field day attendees also learned about our high tunnel and greenhouse production of fresh cut sunflowers.

Outputs

We continue to update and add to the web site for this project (http://www.wyoextension.org/westernnativeplants/). The cut sunflower project is ongoing.

Through Plant Select® program, we are recommending and producing many native and drought tolerant plants which are quite adaptable to Rocky Mountain and Intermountain Region and beyond. Other outputs include our web presence which increased greatly in 2016, along with producing new You Tube videos. Also, sample landscape designs have been created to help consumers plan and plant these more adaptable plants to the region correctly. Our marketing program explains that Plant Select® helps one plant smarter and is a smart collaborative model, has an 8 point selection process, features beautiful, adaptable, water wise plants and results in less work, less impact and more stunning, successful gardens.

In Montana, brochures on propagation and cultivation of 4 native species were distributed to growers and interested gardeners. Plant material was distributed to retail sellers for free distribution to interested customers. Two non-profit restoration projects received native plant material for use in their projects.

The “Good and Bad Plant Choices for Wildfire-prone Areas” was presented to Reno area arborists at the Trees and Drought Workshop.

The following products (germplasm releases) were produced in Utah:

1. Improved crested wheatgrass improves rangeland productivity. There is a need to provide improved plant materials to enhance rangeland productivity on harsh (low annual precipitation) sites in the western U.S. Crested wheat grass cultivar ForageCrest was released by ARS scientists in Logan, Utah, to improve productivity on rangelands receiving 200 to 300 mm (8-12 inches) of annual precipitation. ForageCrest will establish and persist over time providing adequate dry-matter yields with nutritional characteristics similar to or greater than current crested wheatgrass cultivars used in the Intermountain West, Great Basin and Northern Great Plains Regions of the western U.S. ForageCrest seedlings do not spread beyond original plantings, and do not cross with native species. ForageCrest resists the spread of invasive annual weed species such as cheatgrass, and medusahead rye because it germinates earlier and grows more rapidly at colder temperatures than other perennial grasses. Moreover, when inter-seeded into native stands, ForageCrest co-exists with native grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
2. Native slender wheatgrass possesses improved rangeland stand establishment charateristics. Vast areas of semi-arid rangelands in the western U.S., particularly in the Great Basin, are severely disturbed, frequently burned, increasingly eroded, and subsequently infested with troublesome weeds such as cheatgrass, and medusahead rye. In such areas of limited annual precipitation, native grasses are more difficult to establish, less productive and persistent, and less defoliation-tolerant under severe water stress than their introduced counterparts. Thus, it is critical to develop native grasses that can be seeded onto these disturbed harsh range sites that are competitive against invasive weeds, easy to establish, persistent, with increased seed yield. Slender wheatgrass is a native, self-pollinating, short-lived, early serial, perennial species that colonizes degraded landscapes. Because of its abundant rhizome (underground plant stem), ARS scientists at Logan, Utah, released Charleston Peak slender wheatgrass germplasm as an improved alternative to current slender wheatgrass cultivars (e.g., FirstStrike, Revenue, Pryor, and San Luis) for conservation (erosion control) and re-vegetation (reclamation) plantings on arid and semi-arid rangelands for the Great Basin and Intermountain Regions of western U.S. for erosion control and reclamation. Charleston Peak germplasm is adapted to elevations ranging from 1,385 m (4,500 ft) to 3,692 m (12,000 ft), prefers loams and sandy loams, and can tolerate salinity ranges from 1 to 16 milliZMhos per centimeter (mmhos cm-1), where it is surpassed in this trait only by tall wheatgrass.
3. Improved native basin wildrye germinates rapidly to improved stand establishment. Many areas of the western U.S. have been severely degraded by human disturbance, wildfires, and the invasion of weedy annual plant species (e.g., cheatgrass, medusahead rye). Thus, there is a need to identify and cultivate plant materials that establish and persist on degraded landscapes. Relatively tall (3 to 6 feet) Basin wildrye grass is ideal for providing wind protection in winter calving pastures, holds its nutrient value well at maturity (7-8% protein), and can withstand heavy grazing and trampling in its dormant state. Moreover, as a bunch type grass, basin wildrye is well adapted to stabilizing disturbed soils, is drought tolerant, possesses a fibrous root system, and has adequate seedling vigor in areas receiving 8 to 20 inches of annual precipitation. These characteristics make it a desirable plant material for reclamation. ARS scientists at Logan, Utah, released Trailhead II basin wildrye because of its improved stand establishment potential (rapid emergence), which enhances the success of conservation and re-vegetation plantings in the Intermountain West and Northern Great Plains areas of the United States.
4. First release of native Thurber's needlegrass increases rangeland biodiversity. As a result of large-scale planting of non-native grasses (i.e., crested wheatgrass) in the early part of the 19th Century, many western U.S. landscapes have decreased in biodiversity. There is a need to increase the genetic diversity of such regions during landscape revegetation after disturbances (e.g., wildfire and human disturbance) by seeding native grass and legume species. For instance, native Thurber’s needlegrass is a densely tufted bunchgrass (12 to 24 inches tall)that provides valuable forage for livestock and wildlife. This grass is found in the semiarid Intermountain West from southern Idaho to Washington's Columbia Basin and south to eastern California and northern Nevada and Utah in association with juniper, sagebrush, saltbush, horsebrush, bitterbrush, winterfat, Sandberg bluegrass, Indian ricegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass and thickspike wheatgrass plant communities. However, this species is not commercially available, and therefore, ARS scientists at Logan, Utah, released Princeton Thurber’s needlegrass germplasm for revegetation of degraded sites.

Activities

The AAS Display Garden and cut sunflower production were discussed at the LREC Field Day on August 27.

Presentations on Plant Select® and on adaptable and xeric native plants were given at Pro Green Conference in Denver and the Rocky Mountain Regional Turf Conference in Denver and at the High Plains Landscape Workshop in Colorado, and the Native Plant Workshop in Northern Colorado, as well as the Far West Conference in Portland, Oregon, and the Perennial Plant Association in Minnesota.

Montana activities included: 1) advised graduate student research on addressing the demand for cost-effective production of Montana native plants; 2) worked with the Montana Master Gardener program to educate volunteers on the use of native plants; 3) established research plots for native grasses in median strips project with the City of Bozeman; and 4) established the native plant beds for a study on mulch and sun vs. shade for 4 native species.

Nevada pursued partnerships with local water agency, the Nevada Landscape Association, and the Wilbur D. May Arboretum to adapt the EPA-approved QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper) program for northern Nevada. This program trains landscapers and provides professional certification. It includes information about appropriate plant selection, including native plants when appropriate.

Utah State University researchers are in the final editing stage of new publication entitled “Combinations for Conservation” that will provide information about combinations of native and other plant material for attractive, water-wise landscapes that are compatible with each other. 2) Continuing collaboration with the USU Botanical Center to identify, propagate, and release native plants for use in the landscape industry. 3) The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) has received additional on-going state funding of $280,000 per year in addition to our existing $100,000 per year.  This funding will enable us to dramatically increase our graduate student pool and other activities.

ARS scientists at Logan, Utah, hosted Utah State University (USU)-Blanding Native American Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Mentorship Program 2016 for minority students for a week (May 16-20) as mentors in the area of plant genetics and genomics. During the week-long program, ARS scientists provided instruction in the areas of plant breeding and management of rangeland, pasture, and turf. The students visited research plots, ranches, seed companies, and Utah State University facilities, where instruction was given in pollination techniques, ranch management strategies, laboratory techniques in DNA technologies, and the operations of seed production and processing. Students received hands-on experiences that allowed them to discover aspects of agriculture that were exciting and thought-provoking.

ARS scientists at Logan, Utah, hosted a 2016 Washington Carver Fellowship minority participant from Beltsville, Maryland, between June 4-August 1, 2016. The participant learned laboratory and field techniques to enhance high school education and was able to see career opportunities in the agricultural sciences, especially in the area of turf grass genetics and breeding. Participant was schooled in various DNA technologies, breeding techniques, and data collection and analysis. Additionally, participant received training in soil analysis and associated wet chemistries. In the field, participant was given training in turf grass quality assessment (e.g., color, texture) as data were collected on research plots and at a Utah-based private sod company experimental plot.

Clientele (5-115 attendees depending on research site location) were educated on improved plant materials and management practices to improve rangeland and pasture sustainability and profitability at more than 10 research sites. These activities included presentations to diverse clientele (stakeholders) that were encouraged by the development and release of plant materials improved for stand establishment, persistence, and forage yield and quality.  Clientele were educated to the economic impact of FRR improved plant materials that will, when strategically introduced into agriculture, improve productivity and sustainability of rangeland, irrigated and non-irrigated pastures, and turf. Participants were provided with information on current plant materials offered for the FRR and appropriate use of improved plant materials and associated management practices that will allow for consistent, predictable application of these technologies.

Milestones

The next milestone for the AAS Display Garden is planning and carrying out the 2017 version. An undergraduate student has already agreed to assist in seeding and transplanting duties. The cut sunflower project will pick up again spring 2017.

Plant Select^® finished writing and proofing a second book publication to be called, Pretty Tough Plants. Expected delivery date is late March 2017. Also discussions have started to pursue explaining Plant Select® to more of a national level connecting with other botanic gardens and Universities on introduction and plant promotion programs.

Montana State University demonstrated cultural requirements and protocols for establishment of grasses in median strips to city planners, engineers, and maintenance workers.

Increased Utah legislative funding for CWEL.

The semi-arid and arid rangelands and irrigated pastures of the western U.S. provide a broad array of ecosystem services, including livestock forage, a diversity of native plants, pollinators, animals, and recreational activities.  Many of these regions are classified as severely disturbed and non-productive.  Moreover, based on predicted climate change models for semi-arid regions, environments will become hotter and drier, increasing the already high rate of rangeland and pasture degradation, resulting in the invasion of annual grasses, increasing wildfire frequency, and reducing forage productivity.  Thus, in water-limiting environments, there is a need to develop grasses, legumes, and forbs that will establish under drought, compete with invasive weeds, and persist with adequate forage production and quality to meet the needs of wildlife and livestock producers throughout the year.  Increasing digestibility in pasture grasses by 1% results in a 3% increase in livestock gains.  The FRRL combines the disciplines of plant breeding, molecular biology, and ecology in conducting experiments to better understand the genetic mechanisms and pathways of seedling establishment, persistence, competition, forage yield and quality, and other abiotic stresses to develop improved plant materials and management practices for use on these western U.S. rangelands and pastures.  These plant materials and management strategies have improved the sustainability by reducing the impact of wildfires and invasive weeds, improving wildlife habitat, and conserving, restoring, renovating, and reclaiming degraded landscapes.  Key intermediate targets necessary for achieving and/or delivering the outputs during the life of the of a project (5 years, 2013-2018) will include cooperative agreements to develop meadow bromegrass with increased forage and quality, bluegrass and wheatgrass for sod production, fine leaved fescue for ornamental horticultural applications, and tall wheatgrass for increased biomass and forage nutritional quality.  With regards to improvement of rangeland management practices, a cooperative project directed by FRRL, DNR, and Utah State University is underway to develop an ecological site description (ESD)-based handbook for shrubland management in Utah. The handbook will include contemporary knowledge and technology for brush management and range planting, highlighting how ecological site differences influence effectiveness of different rangeland practices. The FRRL and its Utah State University, and DNR cooperators have established eight large-scale (50-400 acre) demonstration sites and smaller replicated study plots (0.5 acre) each on Utah private producer lands in Park Valley, East Bear Lake, Cedar Fort, and West Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah (see figure) featuring FRRL improved plant materials to illustrate and monitor the effectiveness of shrub reduction techniques, seeding techniques, and improved plant materials for promoting higher rangeland quality. The site-specific outcomes of our land treatment approaches on demonstration sites will be used to update state-and-transition models and can be used to revise information contained in NRCS ESDs.