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| ## russian wildrye {#russian-wildrye .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Psathyrostachys junceus* (Fisch.) Nevski                             |
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| Plant Symbol = PSJU3                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Idaho State Office

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'Bozoisky Select' Russian Wildrye

Courtesy of Larry Holzworth

**Alternate Names**

Elymus junceus (Fisch.) ELJU

Leymostachys korovinii Tzvelev LEKO

**Uses**

Russian wildrye is one of the most versatile forage grasses available
for dryland pastures. Its forage can be utilized during all seasons, and
when cured, retains a higher protein percentage than wheatgrasses.

*Use for Hay*: Russian wildrye is not well suited to hay production.
Most of the growth and production is from basal leaves, which are
difficult to pick up with harvesting equipment.

*Use for Pasture*: This grass is best adapted for use as pasture in dry
areas. It is as long-lived as crested wheatgrass. Russian wildrye begins
spring growth a little later than crested wheatgrass. It continues
growth and stays greener longer into the summer than crested wheatgrass.
The forage is very palatable. It has a longer growing period than most
dryland grasses. Russian wildrye has the ability to cure later in the
growing season with good protein levels. This allows for a long grazing
season. It is generally recommended for late summer through winter
grazing. It is tolerant of grazing and regrows quickly after clipping
lending itself to use as irrigated as well as dryland pasture.

*Erosion control/reclamation*: Russian wildrye gradually develops into
stands with fairly wide spaced plants. It therefore is not considered
the best choice for erosion control for either wind or water erosion
objectives. In low rainfall areas, Russian wildrye requires wide spaced
rows (18 inches or greater) to be productive. It is very competitive
with weeds once established.

*Salinity*: Russian wildrye has good tolerance to salinity. It is a
species of choice in low rainfall saline areas with moderate to well
drained soils.

*Wildlife*: Russian wildrye is highly palatable to wildlife, especially
deer, elk and antelope. It is generally utilized by wildlife in late
summer through winter.

**Status**

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for status, such as state noxious status and wetland indicator
values.

**Description**

Russian wildrye is a large, cool-season, introduced, long-lived,
perennial bunch grass. It has an abundance of long, dense, basal leaves
that are from 6 to 18 inches long and up to ¼ inch in width. Plants vary
from light to dark green, with many shades of blue-green.

The erect, leafless reproductive stems are about 30 to 40 inches tall.
The seedhead is a short dense, erect spike with two or more short-awned
spikelets clustered at axis joints. The seed shatters readily at
maturity. The seed is about the same size as crested wheatgrass seed.

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height="2.2465277777777777in"}
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height="2.2694444444444444in"}

The roots are fibrous and may establish to a depth of 6 to 8 feet.
However, about 75 percent of the roots are in the surface 6 to 24
inches. Russian wildrye roots have an extended horizontal spread and may
draw heavily on soil moisture for a distance of up to 4 to 5 feet. Its
long season of growth and its vigorous soil-feeding habit make this
species an excellent competitor with weeds once the grass is well
established.

**Distribution**

This species was introduced from Siberia. For current distribution,
consult the Plant Profile page on the PLANTS Web site.

**Adaptation**

Russian wildrye can be grown successfully wherever crested wheatgrass is
grown, but it is primarily a dryland pasture grass adapted to 8 to 16
inch annual precipitation areas.

Russian wildrye is well adapted to silt loam to heavy clay soils. It can
be grown on a fairly wide range of soil types, but is most productive on
fertile loam soils. It does poorly on soils with low fertility. It is
more difficult to establish on sandy soils in dry areas than crested
wheatgrass, but once established does very well.

It grows at elevations up to 7,500 feet in northern latitudes and to
9,000 feet in southern latitudes. Wide row spacing plantings (18 to 36
inch) produce more forage than narrow row spacing (6 to 14 inch)
plantings.

It is exceptionally cold and drought tolerant and has moderate tolerance
of salinity and sodic to saline-sodic soil conditions. Its production is
affected beginning at electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 12. This
grass is not tolerant of spring flooding or high water tables.

**Establishment** Russian wildrye requires special attention during the
year it is seeded because it is difficult to establish. It must be
planted in a firm, weed-free seedbed at ¼ inch depth or less. Wide row
spacing plantings, 18 inches or greater, are recommended. The
recommended seeding rate at this spacing is 4 pounds Pure Live Seed
(PLS) per acre.

Seedlings are slow growing and weak requiring more time to establish a
stand. The plants should be allowed to mature and set seed before they
are grazed. Stands generally develop into widely spaced plants over
time.

Stands are often open because Russian wildrye is usually seeded with
wide row spacing, leaving the soil between plants susceptible to
erosion. It should be planted on the contour where slopes are greater
than 2 percent or may not be desirable at all where erosion control is
the most important objective. Forage yields are similar to those of
crested wheatgrass. Wide row spacing increases forage production.

Forage yields are also increased by seeding mixtures with legumes.
Seeding the legume in alternate rows or cross-seeded rows decreases
competition from Russian wildrye and optimizes forage quality and yield.

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height="1.9673611111111111in"}

**Environmental Concerns**

Russian wildrye is long-lived and spreads via seed. It is not considered
\"weedy\" or an invasive species. Most established stands do not spread
beyond original plantings. It is not known to hybridize with native
species.

It is subject to attack by grasshoppers, cutworms and other insects, but
no troublesome diseases have been noted.

Properly established and managed stands of Russian wildrye generally
exclude weeds and native grasses and forbs. Some native shrubs such as
big sagebrush and rabbitbrush can invade Russian wildrye stands if seed
sources are nearby.

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**Management**

Russian wildrye begins growth in the spring a little later than crested
wheatgrass and should not be grazed as early. However, fall regrowth of
Russian wildrye is better than crested wheatgrass.

Russian wildrye is very tolerant of grazing and regrows quickly after
grazing. Although grazing can occur from spring to winter, it is best to
graze this grass lightly in the spring, if at all, and save most growth
for late summer to fall to winter when other grasses are less productive
or low in forage quality. Stands can be injured from extensive use by
livestock and wildlife in early spring. Grazing should be carefully
managed to avoid over utilization.

It remains palatable and of adequate nutritive quality for mature stock
on winter maintenance rations. It is palatable to all classes of
livestock and wildlife. It is high in protein and retains higher protein
content than most grasses after maturity. Protein levels of 5 to 7
percent can be expected in late fall through winter. Because of its high
palatability, competitiveness with other vegetation as well as itself,
it is recommended for planting in pure stands and fenced for better
utilization.

As a pasture grass, it recovers rapidly after grazing if soil moisture
is available. Because of this characteristic, it has been used for
irrigated pasture in rotational grazing systems.

It responds very well to applications of fertilizer and also to
supplemental irrigation.

Because of its high digestibility and long season of use, Russian
wildrye is unique among the semi-arid cool season grasses. In comparison
trials with domestic sheep, Russian wildrye had a digestibility
coefficient of 60.2 percent while crested wheatgrass had a coefficient
of 45.1 percent. Its yield of forage per acre may not be as great as
other adapted grasses, but high digestibility and its extended season of
growth are compensating factors for livestock use.

In studies using protein supplements in the fall with yearling cattle at
the Lee A. Sharp Experimental Area, Idaho by the University of Idaho,
yearlings benefited from supplements when grazing crested wheatgrass,
but not while grazing Russian wildrye. This study indicates that protein
was not a limiting factor in fall while grazing Russian wildrye.

**Seed Production**

Seed production of Russian wildrye has been very successful under
cultivated conditions. Row spacing of 36 inches-irrigated (seeding rate
3.0 pounds PLS per acre) to 48 inches-dryland (seeding rate 2.0 pounds
PLS per acre) are recommended. Cultivation will be needed for weed
control and to maintain row culture.

For seed production, Russian wildrye benefits from low levels of
fertilization based on soil tests. Apply enough phosphorus fertilizer to
last 3 years and incorporate into the soil. During establishment, apply
approximately 30 pounds actual N (nitrogen) per acre on dryland
plantings and 60 to 80 pounds actual N per acre on irrigated plantings
for optimum stand establishment. On established stands apply at least 50
pounds actual N per acre on dryland plantings and 60 to 80 pounds actual
N per acre on irrigated plantings each fall.

The seed heads have moderate rates of shatter and require close scrutiny
of maturing stands to determine optimum harvest date. Seed is generally
harvested in late July. The preferred method of harvest is to swath
field when seed is in the hard dough stage prior to shatter. Allow 2-3
days curing time in the windrow and then combine using a pickup
attachment. Seed must be dried immediately after combining (Moisture
content: 12 percent bins and 15 percent sacks).

Crop residues from seed fields must be removed after harvest to maintain
plant health, plant vigor and good future seed yields.

Seed production declines as stands get older. Seed fields are productive
for at least four years. Average production of 100 to 200 pounds per
acre can be expected under dryland conditions in 14- inch plus rainfall
areas. Average production of 300 to 700 pounds per acre can be expected
under irrigated conditions. Seed remains viable for at least ten years
under good seed storage conditions.

**Releases**

Russian wildrye was introduced from Siberia as a forage crop. It was
first grown in nurseries near Mandan, North Dakota in 1927. Because of
its erratic seed yields, it did not come into common use until the
1950s.

The Russian wildrye cultivars that have performed the best in replicated
plantings in the Northern Great Plains and Intermountain West (Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming and Utah), are 'Bozoisky-Select'
and 'Mankota'.

'Bozoisky-Select' Russian wildrye was selected by USDA ARS at Logan,
Utah for improved seedling vigor and increased forage yield. It was
released in 1984 and has shown good seedling performance. Forage yields
are about 123 percent of Vinall. Breeder seed is maintained by ARS in
Logan, UT and Foundation seed is produced at the NRCS Bridger, MT PMC.

'Bozoisky II' Russian wildrye was developed by USDA ARS at Logan, Utah
and selected for seedling vigor (emergence from a deep planting depth),
seed mass, seed yield, vegetative vigor, total dry matter production and
response to drought. It is a broad-based 15 clone synthetic that is much
broader than other Russian wildrye releases. It was released in 2004.
Breeder and Foundation seed is maintained by USDA ARS Forage and Range
Research Laboratory in Logan, Utah.

'Cabree" Russian wildrye was selected by Agr. Canada Research Station,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada for its improved seed retention, resistance
to powdery mildew, leaf rust and spot blotch. It was released in 1976.

'Mankota' Russian wildrye was selected by USDA ARS at Mandan, North
Dakota for resistance to leaf spot and improved forage yields. Breeder
seed is maintained by ARS in Mandan, ND and Foundation seed is produced
at the NRCS Bismarck, ND PMC.

'Mayak' Russian wildrye was selected by Agr. Canada Research Station,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada for its high forage and seed yields and
resistance to leaf spot. It was released in 1971.

'Swift' Russian wildrye was selected by Agr. Canada Research Station,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada for better seedling emergence and good
resistance to leaf spot. It was released in 1978.

'Tetracan' Russian wildrye was selected at Agr. Canada Research Station,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada for its excellent seedling vigor, large seed
size, and better seedling emergence from deeper seeding depths. It was
released in 1988.

'Vinall' Russian wildrye was selected by USDA ARS at Mandan, North
Dakota. It was the first released cultivar in 1960. It is no longer
recommended and has been replaced by 'Mankota'.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

**Prepared By**

*Dan Ogle*, Plant Materials Specialist

USDA, NRCS, Boise, ID

*Loren St. John*, Manager, Plant Materials Center, USDA, NRCS, Aberdeen,
ID

*Jim Cornwell*, Range Conservationist, USDA NRCS, Boise, ID

*Larry Holzworth*, Plant Materials Specialist

USDA NRCS, Bozeman, MT

*Mark Majerus*, Manager, Plant Materials Center, USDA, NRCS, Bridger, MT

*Dwight Tober*, Plant Materials Specialist

USDA NRCS, Bismarck, ND

*Dr. Kevin B. Jensen*, USDA-ARS, Forage and Range Research Laboratory,
USU, Logan, UT

*Dr. Ken Sanders*, Rangeland Ecologist, University of Idaho, Twin Falls,
ID

**Species Coordinator**

*Dan Ogle*, Plant Materials Specialist

USDA, NRCS, Boise, ID

Edited: 28sept04dgo; 10sept04kbj; 13sept04lsj; 20sept04ks; 21sept04jc;
22sept04lkh; 27sept04dt; 28sept04mm; 12oct04rln; 16feb05rln; 060803 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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