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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316145
Title: Development of North American forb plant materials for rangeland revegetation and restoration

Author
item Connors, Kevin
item Johnson, Douglas
item Jones, Thomas
item Bushman, Shaun
item Waldron, Blair
item Peel, Michael

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2015
Publication Date: 4/10/2015
Citation: Connors, K.J., Johnson, D.A., Jones, T.A., Bushman, B.S., Waldron, B.L., Peel, M. 2015. Development of North American forb plant materials for rangeland revegetation and restoration. National Native Seed Conference Program, Meeting Abstract, p.66.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant materials development for Intermountain rangelands is a primary mission of the USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory. Currently there is a significant demand for North American forbs (including legumes) for rangeland revegetation and restoration in the Great Basin, but commercial quantities of seed are available for only a few species. At the USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory, several North American forb species are being investigated. Four pre-variety germplasms have been developed and released to meet restoration and revegetation needs of the Great Gasin, including NBR-1 basalt milkvetch (Astragalus filipes), Spectrum and Majestic western prairie clover (Dalea ornata), and Yakima western yarrow (Achillea lanulosa). Basalt milkvetch ranges throughout the Intermountain West from Canada to Mexico, and NBR-1 Germplasm represents populations from the Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion. Spectrum Germplasm of western prairie clover represents populations across a wide area across the northern Great Basin, while Majestic Germplasm represents populations from the Deschutes River watershed. Yakima Germplasm of western yarrow is recommended for use in revegetation throughout the northern Great Basin. Future anticipated plant material releases include: Searls' prairie clover (Dalea searlsiae), Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale), and Utah trefoil (Lotus utahenis).