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09/03/99

RECLAMATION AND RANGE GRASSES
Recommended for The Lower Umatilla Basin

Jeffrey P. McMorran, Area Extension Agent & Agronomist

The following 12 grasses are recommended by Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS, formally SCS) ,for dryland range or soil stabilization in the Lower Umatilla Basin. They are useful to homeowners who have areas of their property they don't want to water much (if at all), but would like something to hold the soil, compete with weeds, and look nice. If left to their natural unmown state they can also provide food and fodder for birds, and other wildlife. The recommended seeding rate is about 10 lbs. pure live seed per acre. Generally a mixture of grasses is preferable to a single species planting. Seeding should be completed by March 15 in a clean weed free area (the earlier the better). Later seeding dates can result in undesirable annual weed competition. Later seeding dates can result in undesirable annual weed competition. Use a deep furrow drill at 12 to 18 inch spacing if no supplemental irrigation to be used, if light initial watering or surface soil moisture present, broadcast seeding followed by some type of incorporation roller, as used for alfalfa, works well. Contact the Agronomy Department of your local seed supplier to purchase this material.

** Sherman Big Bluegrass G

* Indian Ricegrass G

Jose Tall Wheatgrass P

Oahe Intermediate Wheatgrass G

Rosana Western Wheatgrass G

Sodar Streambank Wheatgrass G

** Covar Sheep Fescue P

* Critana Thickspike Wheatgrass G

Luna Pubescent Wheatgrass G

* P 27 Siberian Wheatgrass G

** Secar Bluebunch Wheatgrass G

Whitmar Beardless Wheatgrass G

* =for drier areas where no supplemental irrigation is possible having sandy soil.

**=for drier areas where no supplemental irrigation is possible having silt loam soil.

In trials conducted at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center the following grasses received an overall "excellent" rating for winter/summer survival and %cover:

Regar mountain bromegrass G-E2 Tetraploid perennial ryegrass E

Creeping red fescue l Tresman intermediate wheatgrass G

Covar sheep fescue P Oahe intermdiate wheatgrass G

Fawn tall fescue G Luna pubescent wheatgrass G

Quackgrass x bluebunch cross G Newhi wheatgrass G

Black Mt. perennial cereal rye l Alkar tall wheatgrass P

If you would like to see what some of these look like before you plant, a trial including these, as well a several other species of grasses, was established at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center in the fall of 1995. This trial is located on the Experiment Station in the north western field immediately adjacent Hinkle Road, and is open for public viewing during normal business hours. A similar trial is behind the NRCS office in Pendleton.

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