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| ## Tall  {#tall .Title-Header}                                        |
|                                                                       |
| ## wheatgrass {#wheatgrass .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Thinopyrum ponticum* (Podp.) Z. --W. Liu & R. --C. Wang              |
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| Plant Symbol = THPO7                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Pullman, Washington

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.9881944444444444in"
height="4.239583333333333in"}

Anna Gardner, Ada Hayden Herbarium, Iowa State University

## Alternate Names

Rush wheatgrass, *Agropyron elongatum* (Host) P. Beauv.*, Agropyron
varnense* (Velen.) Hayek.*, Elymus elongatus* (Host) Runemark*, Elymus
elongatus* (Host) Runemark var. *ponticus* (Podp.) Dorn, *Elyums
varnensis* (Velen.) Runemark, *Elytrigia elongata* (Host) Nevski,
*Elytrigia pontica* (Podp.) Holub., *Elytrigia pontica* (Podp.) Holub.
spp. *pontica*, *Lophopyrum elongatum* (Host) A. Löve.

## 

## Uses

*Grazing/pasture/hayland:* Tall wheatgrass is used for hay and pasture
in the northern Great Plains and intermountain region. It produces high
yields of good quality forage, however it is typically less palatable
than other wheatgrasses. It is best suited for early season rotational
grazing.

*Erosion control*: Tall wheatgrass is often used for erosion control
along roadsides and other critical areas (Barkworth et al, 2007). It has
been recommended in the northern Great Plains for passive terrace
formation (Aase and Pikul, 1995).

*Saline and sodic soils:* Tall wheatgrass is planted as forage on saline
and sodic soils where few other species will survive (Roundy, 1985;
Retana et al., 1993). It is one of the most saline tolerant grasses
commercially available. In the San Joaquin Valley of California, it is
used to manage salinity in irrigation water recovery systems (Blunk et
al., 2005; Zheng et al., 2005).

*Biofuel:* Tall wheatgrass is currently being evaluated as a possible
source of cellulosic ethanol. Problems may exist, however, with biomass
production of tall wheatgrass in saline environments due to high
concentrations of salts and heavy metals, as well as potentially high
emission levels of nitrous and sulfuric oxides (Blunk et al., 2005).

*Nutrient removal:* In Texas, applications of composted dairy manure
increased dry matter yields and phosphorus and potassium concentrations
in tall wheatgrass, indicating it could be used for nutrient removal
(Butler and Muir, 2006).

*Particleboard:* The American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE)
has determined high quality particleboard can be produced by using tall
wheatgrass (Zheng et al., 2005).

*Windbreaks:* In a study in Saskatchewan, tall wheatgrass windbreaks
with several years\' growth improved soil moisture levels and alfalfa
yields (Steppuhn and Waddington, 1996).

*Wildlife*: Tall wheatgrass provides nesting cover and food for upland
birds (Asay and Jensen, 1996).

*Plant breeding:* Tall wheatgrass is used in breeding programs to
transfer genes for salinity, drought and disease resistance to annual
wheat (Dewey, 1984; Sharma & Gill, 1983; Colmer et al., 2006).

## 

## Status

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

## Description

*General*: Grass family (Poaceae). Tall wheatgrass is a tall, long lived
perennial bunchgrass reaching 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) tall. Leaves are
green or glaucous bluish with blades flat to curling, 2 to 8 mm (0.08 to
0.31 in) wide. The blades are often covered with short, stiff hairs
making them scratchy to the touch. Auricles are well developed and
ligules reach ca 0.7 mm (0.02 in) long. The inflorescence is a spike
with a continuous rachis. Internodes in the spike are about 7 to 20 mm
(0.3 to 0.8 in) long. Spikelets are solitary at each node each with five
to 18 flowers. Glumes are thick and hardened, 6 to 11 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in)
long with 5 to 7 nerves. The tips of the glumes are truncate (abruptly
rounded). Lemmas are also thick and hardened, 9 to 13 mm (0.4 to 0.5 in)
long with a truncate to acute apex. Anthers are 4 to 7 mm (0.15 to 0.20
in) long. 2n=14, 28, 42, 56 or 70 (Welsh et al 2003).

*Distribution*: Tall wheatgrass is originally from Turkey, Asia Minor
and Russia. It was introduced to the U.S. from Turkey in 1909
(Weintraub, 1953) and is now found throughout all western states of the
U.S. and most Canadian provinces (USDA, 2008; Barkworth, et al., 2007).

**Adaption**

Tall wheatgrass is adapted to a wide range of soil types and climates.
It is often recommended for 12 - 14 inch and higher precipitation zones
or sites with high water tables at 4,300 to 6,000 feet elevation zones.
It is well adapted to wet, alkaline soils such as greasewood and
saltgrass sites where the water table is from a few inches to several
feet below ground surface. It is less drought tolerant than crested
wheatgrass, however it is adapted to sagebrush, mountain brush and
juniper sites. Basin wildrye is a good indicator of where tall
wheatgrass will be successful.

Tall wheatgrass is one of the most saline or alkali tolerant cultivated
grasses. It can tolerate up to 1% soluble soil salts (Vallentine 1961).
Tall wheatgrass increases production yields with salinity levels of 6000
to 18000 ppm and persists in soils with conductivity up to electrical
conductivity (EC) of 26 mmhos/cm (Ogle et al., 2008).

Because of its late maturing characteristic, tall wheatgrass provides a
long grazing period (USDA, 2005). It has been evaluated in several
western states for its potential to extend the grazing season. Studies
indicate it performs well in New Mexico and Kansas (Holechek et al.,
1989; Harmoney, 2007), but not in Montana (Haferkamp et al., 2005), and
results are variable in Oklahoma and Texas (Griggs and Matches, 1991;
Malinkowski et al, 2003; Gillen and Berg, 2005; Hopkins, 2005).

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.926388888888889in" height="3.875in"}

Greg Fenchel, USDA NRCS NMPMC, Los Lunas, NM

**Establishment**

Tall wheatgrass should be planted with a drill into a firm, weed-free
seed bed. The drill should be set to a depth of ½ of an inch on medium
to fine textured soils and no more than 1 inch deep on coarse textured
soils. Recommended seeding rates are 10 pounds Pure Live Seed (PLS) per
acre on non-saline soils and 15 pounds PLS per acre on saline soils. It
is usually seeded in pure stands or in mixtures with grasses also having
moderate palatability. If seeded in a mix, adjust seeding rate
accordingly. Under dryland conditions, heavy to medium textured soils
should be seeded in the very early spring, and medium to light textured
soils should be seeded in the late fall. Irrigated land should be seeded
in spring or late summer. Late summer (August -- September) seedings are
not recommended unless irrigation is available.

Tall wheatgrass has excellent seedling vigor but is slow to establish.
Applications of 2,4-D may be necessary to control weeds. The herbicide
should not be applied until plants have reached four to six leaf stage.
Weeds should be mowed at or prior to bloom stage.

To ensure plants become well established, haying and grazing should be
deferred for at least two growing seasons on dryland one growing season
on irrigated land.

## Management

Tall wheatgrass responds well to irrigation and fertilization. Apply
nitrogen in fall or early spring at a rate based on soil test results
and fertilizer guide recommendations.

To maintain stands, 6 inches of stubble should be left at the end of the
growing season. Grazing the following season should be delayed until
there is at least 8 inches of new growth. Tall wheatgrass is most
palatable during the early spring months and should be managed during
this time. If the grass is not managed, old coarse growth may inhibit
grazing the following year. Tall wheatgrass must be grazed heavily to
maintain plants in the vegetative state. However it does not tolerate
continuous close grazing and a rest period is required between grazing
events (USDA, 2005). In a study to determine influence of clipping
frequency on yield, Undersander and Naylor (1987) found the highest
yields of tall wheatgrass were produced when clipped at 4 week
intervals. Supplemental protein must be provided if used for winter
forage (USDA, 2005).

*Environmental concerns:* Tall wheatgrass is long-lived and spreads
slowly. It is not considered a \"weedy\" or invasive species, but can
spread into adjoining vegetative communities under favorable climatic
and environmental conditions. Research indicates that most seedings do
not spread from original plantings. It is known to coexist with native
taxa. On sites where it is best adapted, it can maintain dominance and
exist as monoculture. There is no documentation that it crosses with
native species.

## Seed Production

Tall wheatgrass grown for seed production should be planted in 28 to 36-
inch rows and cultivated, or 12 to 14- inch rows uncultivated. It
typically produces 300 pounds of seed per acre under dryland conditions
and 600 pounds of seed per acre under irrigated conditions (NRCS
figures).

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Six cultivars of tall wheatgrass have been released in the U.S. and
Canada. Four of the six cultivars: Alkar, Nebraska 98526, Orbit and
Platte, were all derived from PI 98526, which was presented to the USDA
by N.I. Vavilov in 1932 (Alderson and Sharp, 1994). A new release is
planned for 2008 from Nebraska that has improved forage quality (Vogel,
2008). It was also developed from PI 98526.

**\'Alkar\'** tall wheatgrass was developed by the NRCS Pullman PMC with
seed originating from PI 98526. It was released in 1951, under accession
P-2326 for certified seed production in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. In
1958 it was named \'Alkar\' and was accepted for certification in those
states and California. Its intended use was for pasture in wet, alkaline
conditions and semi-arid regions of the west within 270 -- 5500 feet
elevation. Certified seed is commercially available and the Pullman PMC
maintains breeder seed.

**\'Jose\'** tall wheatgrass was selected at the former NRCS nursery in
Albuquerque, MM from seed received by Beltsville, MD as BN-3654 and PI
150123. It is native to Eurasia but was introduced from Australia. It
was selected for its drought and saline tolerance. The nursery released
\'Jose\' in 1965 cooperatively with the New Mexico AES and Plant
Materials Center in Los Lunas, NM. It is used in areas where only very
saline water is available for use. It is not as coarse as other tall
wheatgrasses. Certified seed is commercially available and breeder seed
is maintained by the Los Lunas PMC.

**\'Largo\'** tall wheatgrass was developed by the former NRCS nursery
in Albuquerque, NM as A-1876, and at Utah AES, Logan, ARS cooperating,
as PI 109452. Seed was originally collected by the Westover-Enlow
expedition near Bandirma, Turkey. It was introduced as *Agropyron
intermedium* (Host) Beauv., now *Thinopyrum intermedium* (Host)
Barkworth & D.R. Dewey, and later identified as *A. elongatum* (Host)
Beauv. It was selected for forage production on saline and sodic soils.
The Los Lunas PMC maintains breeder seed. Certified seed is not
commercially available. \'Largo\' has been replaced by \'Jose\'.

**\'Nebraska 98526\'** tall wheatgrass was increased at NRCS nurseries
in cooperation with Nebraska AES in Lincoln. The seed was first grown at
Colorado AES in Fort Collins, and in 1936 distributed by the NRCS as PI
98526 to nurseries in the Dakotas and Nebraska. In 1950 it was grown on
Nebraska farms for seed production under field certification by Nebraska
Crop Improvement Association on recommendation of Nebraska AES, NRCS and
ARS. Its intended use was for sodic and saline soils in the central and
northern Great Plains and intermountain west. It has been replaced by
the variety \'Platte\', and is no longer commercially available.
Nebraska AES maintains breeder seed.

**\'Orbit\'** tall wheatgrass was developed by the Canada Department of
Agriculture Research Station in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. It was
developed from crosses made between \'Nebraska 98526\' and locally
selected strains. It was released in 1966 by the Canada Department of
Agriculture. It was selected for its superior winter hardiness and was
intended for hay, pasture and conservation plantings in the northern
Great Plains. It withstands flooding for three to four weeks in the
spring. Certified seed is commercially available. The Canada Department
of Agriculture Research Station in Swift Current maintains breeder seed.

**\'Platte\'** tall wheatgrass was developed by the Nebraska AES in
Lincoln, ARS, with L.C. Newell cooperating. It was developed as a cross
between \'Nebraska 96526\' and a selection of introductions with unknown
origin from the Cheyenne, WY, Horticultural Field Station. It was
released in 1972 cooperatively by the Nebraska AES and USDA-ARS,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Its intended use was for vegetating
saline-alkali soils in the Great Plains. Certified seed is commercially
available. The Nebraska AES and USDA-ARS, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
maintains breeder seed.

## References

Aase, J.K. and J.L. Pikul Jr. 1995. Terrace formation in cropping strips
protected by tall wheatgrass barriers. J. Soil and Water Cons.
50:110-112.

Alderson, J. and W.C. Sharp. 1994. *Grass Varieties of the United
States*. Agriculture Handbook, No. 170. USDA, SCS, Washington D.C. pp.
79-81.

Asay, K.H. and K.B. Jensen. 1996. Wheatgrasses. Pages: 691-724 in:
Cool-Season Forage Grasses. L.E. Moser, D.R. Buxton, and M.D. Casler,
eds. ASA/CSSA/SSSA, Madison, WI.

Barkworth, M,E., L.K. Anderton, K.C. Capels, S. Long and M.B. Piep
(eds.). 2007. Manual of Grasses for North America. Intermountain
Herbarium and Utah State University Press, Logan, UT.

Blunk, S.L., B.M. Jenkins, R.E. Aldas, R. Zhang, P. Zhongli, C.W. Yu,
N.R. Skar, Y. Zheng. 2005. Fuel properties and characteristics of saline
biomass. Online. Am. Soc. Ag. Eng. (ASAE) Paper no. 056132.

Butler, T.J., and J.P. Muir. 2006. Dairy manure compost improves soil
and increases tall wheatgrass yield. Agron. J. 98:1090-1096.

Colmer, T.D., T.J. Flowers, and R. Munns. 2006. Use of wild relatives to
improve salt tolerance in wheat. J. Exper. Bot. 57:1059-1078.

Gillen, R.L. and W.A. Berg. 2005. Response of perennial cool-season
grasses to clipping in the southern plains. Agron. J. 97:125-130.

Griggs, T.C. and A.G. Matches. 1991. Productivity and consumption of
wheatgrasses and wheatgrass-sanfoin mixtures grazed by sheep. Crop Sci.
31:1267-1273.

Hafenrichter, A.L., J.L. Schwendiman, H.L. Harris, R.S. McLaughlan, And
H.W. Miller. 1968. Grasses and legumes for soil conservation in the
Pacific Northwest and Great Basin States. USDA Agric. Handb. 339. U.S.
Gov. Print. Office, Washington D.C.

Haferkamp, M.R., M.D. MacNiel, E.E. Grings, and K.D. Klement. 2005.
Heifer production on rangeland and seeded forages in the northern Great
Plains. Rangeland Ecol. & Mgmt. 58:495-604.

Harmoney, K.R. 2005. Growth responses of perennial cool-season grasses
grazed intermittently. Online. Forage and Grazinglands
doi:10.1094/FG-2005-105-01-RS.

Harmoney, K.R. 2007. Persistence of heavily-grazed cool-season grasses
in the central Great Plains. Online. Forage and Grazinglands
doi:10.1094/FG-2007-0625-01-RS.

Holechek, J.L., R.E. Estell, C.B. Kuykendall, R. Valdez, M. Cardenas, G.
Nunez-Hernandez. 1989. Seeded wheatgrass yield and nutritive quality on
New Mexico big sagebrush range. J. of Range Mgmt. 42:118-122.

Hopkins, A.A. 2005. Grazing tolerance of cool-season grasses planted as
seeded sward plots and spaced plants. Crop Sci. 45:1559-1564.

Malinkowski, D.P., A.A. Hopkins, W.E. Pinchak, J.W. Sij, and R.J.
Ansley. 2003. Productivity and survival of defoliated wheatgrasses in
the Rolling Plains of Texas. Agron. J. 95:614-626.

Ogle, D., M. Majerus, L. St. John. 2008. Plants for saline to sodic soil
conditions. Plant Materials Tech Note No. 9. USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho.
http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/tech_ref.html#TechNotes

Ogle, D., L. St. John, M. Stannard, L. Holzworth. 2008. Grass,
Grass-like, Forb, Legume, and Woody Species for the Intermountain West.
Plant Materials Tech Note No. 24. USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho.
http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/tech_ref.html#TechNotes

Retana, J., D.R. Parker, C. Amrhein and A.L. Page. 1993. Growth and
trace element concentrations of five plant species grown in a highly
saline soil. J. Environ. Qual. 22:805-811.

Roundy, B.A. 1995. Emergence and establishment of basin wild rye and
tall wheatgrass in relation to moisture and salinity. J. of Range Mgmt.
38:126-131.

Sharma, H.C. and B.S. Gill. 1983. Current status of wide hybridization
in wheat. Euphytica 32:17-31.

Steppuhn, H. and J. Waddington. 1996. Conserving water and increasing
alfalfa production using a tall wheatgrass windbreak system. J. Soil and
Water Cons. 51:439-445.

Undersander, D.J. and C.H. Naylor. 1987. Influence of clipping frequency
on herbage yield and nutrient content of tall wheatgrass. Journal of
Range Management 40:31-35.

USDA ARS. 2005. Intermountain Planting Guide. Publication no. AG 510.
Forage and Range Research Lab, Logan, Utah, and Utah State University
Extension. 107 pp.

USDA NRCS. 2008. PLANTS database. Version: 072808.
[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/). National Plant Data
Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Vogel, K. P., and K.J. Moore. 1998. Forage yield and quality of tall
wheatgrass accessions in the USDA germplasm collection. Crop Sci.
38:509-512.

Vogel, K.P. 2008. Personal communication.

Weintraub, F.C. 1953. Grasses introduced into the United States. USDA
Agric. Handb. 58. U.S. Gov. Print. Office, Washington, D.C.

Zheng, Y., P. Zhongli, R. Zhang, B.M. Jenkins, S. Blunk. 2005.
Medium-density particle board from saline \'Jose\' tall wheatgrass.
Online. Am. Soc. Ag. Eng. (ASAE) Paper no. 056127.

## Prepared By

*Pamela Scheinost*, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Pullman,
Washington

*Derek Tilley,* USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho

*Dan Ogle,* USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho

*Mark Stannard,* USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Pullman, Washington

082508dt; 090308dgo; 091208 ms; 091208 ps; 081008 jsp

## 

## Species Coordinator

*Pamela Scheinost*, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Pullman,
Washington

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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