Virginia wildrye evaluated as a potential native cool-season forage in the Northeast USA

Most forage grasses grown in the northeastern USA are introduced species. Interest in native plant species for conservation and production has increased because of new federal policies. We evaluated northeastern accessions of the native cool-season grass Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus L.) for yield, persistence, and plant morphological traits. Thirteen accessions, one cultivar (Omaha), and one commercial ecotype of Elymus were transplanted into single-row field plots in late summer of 2000 at Beltsville, MD, Rock Springs, PA, and Big Flats, NY. Two orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivars were the checks. Yield and morphology (leaf width, length, mass, area, and tillers per plant) data were collected during 2001 and 2002. The Elymus accessions produced as much dry matter (28-57 g per plant) as the cultivar and commercial ecotype. Orchardgrass yielded more than twice as much dry matter than the mean of all Elymus entries (94 vs. 34 g per plant averaged fur years and locations). The difference in productivity was related to reduced tillering in Elymus especially during regrowth. Yield per plant was strongly correlated (r = 0.62-0.81, P < 0.01) with the number of tillers per plant. Differences in productivity were also reflected in leaf blade traits, with Elymus having a lower leaf area and mass than orchardgrass. Leaf traits were positively correlated (r = 0.35-0.56, P < 0.05) with plant yield. Some northeastern Elymus accessions would probably perform as well as the commercial sources of Elymus in conservation plantings.
INTRODUCED SPECIES, such as orchardgrass, account for nearly all of the highly productive forage grasses grown in the northeastern USA. The most frequently grown native grasses in forage systems arc [...]