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| ## intermediate wheatgrass {#intermediate-wheatgrass .Title-Header}   |
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| *Thinopyrum intermedium* (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey                |
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| Plant Symbol = THIN6                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Idaho State Office

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## Alternate Names

*Agropyron intermedium*, *Elytrigia intermedia*, pubescent wheatgrass,
*Agropyron trichophorum*, *Thinopyrum intermedium* ssp. *barbulatum*

## Uses

*Grazing/pastureland/hayland*: This is an introduced species used for
hay and pasture in the northern Great Plains, west to eastern
Washington, and south into Colorado and Kansas. It produces good hay
yields, both individually and with alfalfa (*Medicago* spp.), where
stiff stems tend to keep alfalfa from lodging.

Intermediate wheatgrass has fairly slow re-growth following clipping and
is best adapted to single crop-haying situations. Intermediate
wheatgrass responds very well to irrigation with production nearing the
level of \'Regar\' meadow brome (*Bromus biebiersteinii*) and
orchardgrass and exceeding smooth brome (*Bromus inermis*) under full
irrigation. \'Regar\' and orchardgrass (*Dactylis glomeratus*) will
normally out produce intermediate wheatgrass hay production in multiple
cutting situations. Intermediate wheatgrass responds well to limited
irrigation. It is able to tolerate droughty conditions when irrigation
ceases as long as about 12 inches of total moisture is provided. It
provides excellent spring, early summer, and fall pasture, but must be
carefully managed to ensure maintenance of the stand and high
production. ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.6958333333333333in"
height="4.476388888888889in"}

Intermediate wheatgrass is palatable to all classes of livestock and
wildlife. It is a preferred feed for cattle, sheep, horses, deer,
antelope, and elk in spring, early summer and fall. It is considered a
desirable feed for cattle, sheep, horses, and elk in summer and winter.

*Erosion control/reclamation*: Intermediate wheatgrass is well adapted
to the stabilization of disturbed soils. This grass can be used in
critical and urban areas where irrigation water is limited and to
stabilize ditchbanks, dikes, and roadsides. This grass can also be use
to build soils because of its heavy root production. Levels as high as
7000 pounds (dry weight) per acre of root production in the upper 8
inches of soil have been measured in five-year-old stands.

*Wildlife*: Strips of this grass ungrazed provide good nesting cover for
game birds and migratory waterfowl.

## Status

Please 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). As one of the common names implies,
the spikes, spikelets, glumes, lemmas, and leaves of what was considered
pubescent wheatgrass were densely covered with hairs, whereas
intermediate wheatgrass vegetative structures are for the most part
smooth, but may have ciliate hairs on the leaf margins. The materials of
both are now considered to be encompassed by the species *Thinopyrum
intermedium*.

Intermediate wheatgrass grows to 3 to 4 feet tall. It is a long-lived,
cool season grass with short rhizomes and a deep feeding root system.
The seed spikes may be up to 4 to 8 inches long. Leaves are 4-8 mm wide
and green to blue-green in color and sometimes drooping. The lemmas,
paleas, and glumes are smooth to pubescent. The glumes are acute to
blunt, generally five nerved, awnless to awn tipped. The florets are
usually fewer than seven. Intermediate wheatgrass commercial seed often
contains both pubescent and glabrous forms.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="0.8375in" height="2.4451388888888888in"}

*Distribution*: Intermediate wheatgrass is a perennial grass introduced
in 1932 from Europe and Asia. Included in this group is a form that was
known as pubescent wheatgrass (*Agropyron trichophorum*), which was
introduced in 1934 from Europe and Asia and considered slightly more
drought tolerant and winter hardy. For current U.S. distribution, please
consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

## Establishment

*Adaptation*: Intermediate wheatgrass is adapted to areas with 12 to 13
inches of annual rainfall or greater. The pubescent form can tolerate
slightly more droughty conditions of about 11 to 12 inches of rainfall
or greater. It performs best above 3500 and up to 9000 feet elevation.
It can be seeded at lower elevations, but its moisture requirement is
greater. It is not as drought tolerant as \'Hycrest\', \'Nordan\',
\'Ephraim\', \'Douglas\', \'Fairway\' crested wheatgrasses (*Agropyron
cristatum*); \'P27\', \'Vavilov\' Siberian wheatgrasses (*Agropyron
fragile*); or \'Bozoisky-Select\', \'Mankota\' Russian wildrye
(*Psathyrostachys juncea*).

Intermediate wheatgrass prefers well drained loamy to clayey textured
soils. The pubescent form performs best on loamy to sandy to shallow
soils. It will tolerate slightly acidic to mildly saline conditions, is
cold tolerant, can withstand moderate periodic flooding in the spring,
and is very tolerant of fire. The pubescent form can tolerate lower
fertility, more alkaline soils, higher elevations, and drier conditions
than glabrous form. It performs poorly on wet, poorly drained, and
moderately saline to alkaline soils with prolonged inundation.

*Planting*: It should be seeded with a drill at a depth of 1/2 inch or
less on medium to fine textured soils and no more than 1 inch deep on
coarse textured soils. Recommended seeding rates are 10 to 12 pounds
Pure Live Seed (PLS) per acre or 21 to 25 PLS seeds per square foot. A
firm weed free seedbed enhances stand establishment. It is compatible
with other species, particularly alfalfa (*Medicago* spp.). Stand
longevity and seeding with alfalfa can enhance productivity. If used as
a component of a mix, adjust to percent of mix desired. The best dryland
results are obtained from seeding in very early spring on heavy to
medium textured soils and in late fall (dormant) on medium to light
textured soils. Irrigated lands should be seeded in spring through
summer. Late summer (August - mid September) seedings are not
recommended unless irrigation is available.

For mind lands, roadsides, and other harsh critical areas, the seeding
rate should be increased to 15 to 18 pounds PLS per acre or 31 to 38 PLS
seeds per square foot.

Intermediate wheatgrass establishes fairly quickly, more quickly than
\'Regar\' meadow brome or smooth brome varieties. Seedling vigor is good
to excellent. Under favorable conditions intermediate wheatgrass
provides good noxious weed suppression. It makes good spring growth,
fair summer growth, and good fall growth, if moisture is available.
Light, frequent irrigation is beneficial for stand establishment.

Protect a new seeding until it is fully established and are able to
withstand pulling by grazing animals without being uprooted. It is
desirable to cut at least one hay crop prior to grazing.

Stands may require weed control measures during establishment.
Application of 2,4-D should not be made until plants have reached the
four to six leaf stages. Mow weeds at or prior to their bloom stage.
Grasshoppers and other insects may also damage new stands and pesticides
may be needed.

## Management

Intermediate wheatgrass has good palatability to livestock and wildlife.
Livestock and wildlife will graze it throughout the growing season, but
it is most preferred as forage in spring, early summer, and fall. It
will not withstand heavy continuous grazing and maintain a healthy
productive stand. Stands are not as susceptible to spring and fall
freezing as smooth brome, meadow brome, or orchardgrass.

Ten to twelve inches of new growth should be attained in spring before
grazing is allowed on established stands. A six-inch stubble height
should be maintained following each mowing and going into winter. In
pasture tests, stands consistently out-yield other grass-legume
mixtures. For this reason, stocking rates can be set higher than other
grasses. Care should be taken to allow proper rest of 21 to 28 days
between grazing periods in irrigated and high moisture situations.

When planted with a legume, harvest hay at optimum stage for the legume.
This will allow the grass to be harvested prior to flowering and result
in very high quality hay. Harvest pure stands for hay when plants start
to flower.

Apply nitrogen as needed to maintain vigorous growth. Irrigated seedings
and those in higher rainfall zones (18 inches +) will respond well to
annual applications of 40 or more pounds of available nitrogen per acre
during the establishment year and 70 to 90 pounds per acre each fall. A
balance of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer needs to be considered in
order to maintain a legume component. A soil test is recommended.

Forage production can be restored and stands may benefit from ripping if
sodbound conditions occur. Care should be taken to avoid excessive
tillage because stands may be damaged.

*Environmental Concerns*: Intermediate is long-lived (50+ years),
spreads slowly vegetatively, and very little via seed distribution. It
is not considered a \"weedy\" or invasive species, but can spread into
adjoining vegetative communities under ideal climatic and environmental
conditions. Research indicates that most seedings do not spread from
original plantings. It is known to coexist with native taxa. On
favorable sites where it is best adapted, it can maintain dominance and
exist as a monoculture. There is no documentation that it crosses with
native species.

## Seed Production

Seed production of intermediate wheatgrass is generally not difficult.
If fields are maintained in rows and adequate fertility levels are
maintained, seed can be produced for 7 to 10 years or more. Row spacing
of 36 inches dryland and 24 to 36 inches irrigated are recommended
(although rhizomatous, intermediate wheatgrass should be maintained in
rows). Cultivation is required to maintain rows.

Average production of 250 to 350 pounds per acre can be expected under
dryland conditions. Average production of 450 to 550 pounds per acre can
be expected under irrigated conditions. Seed yields drop significantly
after about four years of production. Swathing, followed by combining of
the cured rows, best completes harvesting. The seed heads will shatter
when mature and if direct combining is desired the stand should be
harvested with 15 to 20 percent moisture. This will require drying to 12
percent moisture before storing in bins and to 15 percent before storing
in sacks. Seed is generally harvested in mid to late August.

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

Foundation and registered seed of the many cultivars mentioned below are
available through the appropriate state Crop Improvement Association or
commercial sources.

\'Amur\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originally
obtained from China by the Pullman PMC and transferred to the Los Lunas
PMC, New Mexico and released by the PMC, New Mexico AES and University
Park in 1952. It was selected for leafiness, vigorous growth, strong
seedling vigor, and good seed production. It is a slow sod former. It
was originally released for revegetation of disturbed lands and for
pasture seedings at higher elevations. Introgression has occurred
resulting in a high percentage of pubescent types over the years.
Certified seed stock is no longer available. It has been replaced by
species, which are more widely adapted and/or better producers. It is
not readily utilized in the northern U.S.

\'Chief\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating in
Russia by the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan and was released in 1961. It was selected for high seed
yield and forage quality. Its intended uses are as a grass component in
grass-alfalfa hay mixtures and for short-term pasture that remains
productive for about five years under heavy grazing pressure. Certified
seed is available and Agriculture Canada maintains breeder seed.

\'Clarke\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
in Russia by the Agriculture Canada Research Station and was released in
1980. It was selected for drought tolerance, winter hardy and high seed
yielding. It\'s intended uses are for hay and pasture either dryland or
irrigated in the northern Great Plains of Canada and the U.S. Certified
seed is available and breeder seed is maintained by Agriculture Canada.

\'Greenar\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
in Russia by Pullman PMC and was released by Idaho-Oregon-Washington AES
and the PMC as P-2327 in 1945. Aberdeen and Pullman Plant Materials
Centers named it in 1956. It was selected for vigor, moderate sod
formation, leafy, broad-leafed, late maturing, and high production. Its
intended use is for hay and pasture. Certified seed is available and
Pullman PMC maintains breeder seed.

\'Greenleaf\' pubescent wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
from unknown European or Asian sources. Commercial seed sources in
Washington and North Dakota were utilized by the Agriculture Canada
Research Station to develop this cultivar and it was released in 1966.
It has higher forage yields than \'Topar\' and improved seedling vigor
over \'Mandan 759\'. It was intended for use as a winter hardy plant for
pasture and hay production. Stands will not maintain high productivity
under continuous heavy grazing. Certified seed is available and
Agriculture Canada maintains breeder seed.

\'Luna\' pubescent wheatgrass was developed from seed originating in
Russia and Turkey by the Los Lunas PMC and was released by the New
Mexico AES and PMC in 1963. It was selected for excellent seedling
vigor, fast establishment and good forage production. Luna is one of the
most broadly adapted pubescent wheatgrasses available and performs well
from the central to northern Great Plains to the northern Rockies and
Sierra Nevada regions. Certified seed is available and the Meeker PMC
maintains breeder seed.

\'Mandan 759\' pubescent wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
in Russia by the ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in
Mandan, North Dakota and was never officially released. It has excellent
seedling vigor and good forage production in the northern Great Plains.
It is a rapid spreader under favorable conditions. It is an integrate
type with about 75 percent of the plants pubescent and 25 percent
glabrous. It performs well as the grass component in alfalfa mixes for
hay and for pasture. Certified seed is available, but \'Manska\' is
intended to replace \'Mandan 759\' over time. The Great Plains Research
Laboratory maintains breeder seed.

The Great Plains Research Laboratory developed 'Manska' pubescent
wheatgrass from seed originating in Russia. It traces to 11 separate
commercial lots of \'Mandan 759\'. It was selected for improved vigor,
resistance to leaf spot, high forage and seed production, and
nutritional quality. High nutritional value is the primary advantage of
\'Manska\' over other pubescent wheatgrass cultivars. ARS, Bismarck PMC,
University of Nebraska and North Dakota AES, released it in 1992. It is
intended for use in grass alfalfa hay mixes and for pasture. Certified
seed is available and the Great Plains Research Laboratory maintains
breeder seed.

\'Oahe\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating in
Russia by South Dakota AES, Brookings, South Dakota and was released in
1961. Named after the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River, it is an
abbreviation for the Sioux word meaning \"Big House.\" It was selected
for its uniformly bluish-green color, drought tolerance, vigor,
rhizomatous traits and high seed yields. Oahe is adapted for hay,
pasture and conservation purposes. Certified seed is available and South
Dakota State University maintains breeder seed.

\'Reliant\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from sources adapted
to the Northern Great Plains region. It was developed by the Northern
Great Plains Research Laboratory and released by ARS, North Dakota AES
and Bismarck PMC in 1991. It was selected for resistance to leaf spot,
vigor, forage and seed production, forage quality and winter survival.
It is of medium height, late maturing and adapted for hay, pasture and
conservation purposes. Persistence and sustained productivity under
hayland management in mixes with alfalfa are the primary advantages of
\'Reliant\' over other intermediate wheatgrass cultivars. Certified seed
is available and the Great Plains Research Laboratory maintains breeder
seed.

\'Rush\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
from sources in Germany. It was developed by the Aberdeen PMC and
released by the Idaho AES and Aberdeen PMC in 1994. It was selected for
superior seedling emergence and vigor compared to other intermediate
wheatgrasses, good spring recovery, good rate of spread by rhizomes,
uniform seedheads, wide leaves, high forage production, and high seed
production. It has the largest seed of intermediate wheatgrasses,
averaging 66,000 seeds per pound. It is adapted for soil erosion
control, roadside stabilization, mine spoil stabilization, hayland,
pastureland both dry and irrigated, and forage for livestock and
wildlife. Certified seed is available and Aberdeen PMC maintains breeder
seed.

\'Slate\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
from a derivative of \'Amur\' and another accession. It was developed by
the Nebraska AES and ARS and was released in 1969. It was selected for
strong rhizomatous spread, erect form, broad flat leaves, and slate
green color. It is adapted for use in the central Great Plains region.
Certified seed is available and breeders seed is maintained by Nebraska
AES and ARS.

\'Tegmar\' intermediate wheatgrass was developed from seed originating
in Turkey. It was developed by Pullman PMC and was released by
Idaho-Washington AES and Aberdeen and Pullman PMCs in 1968. It was
selected for long life, late maturing, vigorous seedlings, rapidly
developing rhizomes, drought tolerance and dwarf growth form. It is
generally about half the height of other intermediate wheatgrasses.
Intended for use in erosion control, roadside and ditch stabilization,
dam stabilization and grassed waterways. Certified seed is available and
Aberdeen PMC maintains breeder seed.

\'Topar\' pubescent wheatgrass was developed from seed originating in
Turkey. It was developed by Pullman PMC and was released by the
California-Idaho-Oregon-Washington AES and Aberdeen-Lockford-Pullman
PMCs in 1953. It was selected for seedling vigor, vigorous growth, late
maturing, sod formation, and drought resistance. It forms sod faster, is
more adapted to poor fertility, higher elevations and saline conditions
than most pubescent wheatgrasses. Intended use is soil erosion and site
stabilization. Certified seed is available and Aberdeen PMC maintains
breeder seed.

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."

## References

Alderson, J. & W.C. Sharp 1994. *Grass varieties in the United States*.
Agriculture Handbook No. 170. USDA, SCS, Washington, D.C.

Barkworth, M.E. & D.R. Dewey 1985. *Thinopyrum intermedium*. American
Journal of Botany 72:772.

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, & P.K.
Holmgren 1977. *Intermountain flora*. Vol. 6. The New York Botanical
Garden. Columbia University Press, New York, New York.

Hitchcock, A.S. 1950. *Manual of the grasses of the United States*.
USDA, Washington, DC.

International Plant Names Index 2000. *Thinopyrum intermedium*.
\<http://www.ipni.org\>. Version: 000418. Harvard University, Cambridge,
Massachusetts.

Powell, A.M. 1994. *Grasses of the Trans-Pecos and adjacent areas*.
University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.

USDA, Forest Service 1996. *Fire effects information system*. Version:
000418. \<http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/\>. Rocky Mountain Research
Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, Montana.

USDA, NRCS 2006. *The PLANTS database*. Version: 060818.
\<http://plants.usda.gov\>. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana.

## Prepared By & Species Coordinator

*Daniel G. Ogle*

USDA, NRCS, Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho.

Edited 18sep00 jsp; 11feb03 ahv; 10sep03jsp; 060818 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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