This effort has required a much broader array of local ecotypes than currently exist, and the technology of producing and reestablishing them in balanced forage communities. Severe, extensive weed infestations have worsened in the past decade in the Intermountain West and W estern Great Plains. Plant materials related work on these weed problems should be accelerated to develop technology that encourages the re-invasion of desirable native plants into infested rangeland, and develop new varieties that are productive and mor e competitive with the weeds due to superior growth characteristics or a longer association with an extensive livestock grazing environment. The Pullman PMC has released 18 grasses and legumes which directly address this issue. Cultivars such as ' Sherman' big bluegrass, 'Latar' orchardgrass, 'Durar' hard fescue, and most recently, 'Schwendimar' thickspike wheatgrass are important players inthis effort.
Additional species are under evaluation.
A study is being conducted which evaluates several pl ant materials for vegetative suppression of yellow starthistle. Information gained will enable land managers to determine if seed source is an important criteria for revegetation projects. This page has been accessed times since February 28, 1997.