‘Vavilov II’, a New Siberian Wheatgrass Cultivar with Improved Persistence and Establishment on Rangelands

Abstract

‘Vavilov II’ Siberian wheatgrass [ Agropyron fragile (Roth) Candargy] (Reg. No. CV‐30, PI 653686) was released by the USDA‐ARS, the U.S. Army‐Engineer Research and Development Center, Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, and the USDA‐NRCS. Vavilov II was developed for reseeding sandy soils on disturbed rangelands dominated by annual weeds as a result of severe disturbance, frequent fires, and soil erosion. Selection emphasis in Vavilov II was on seedling establishment and stand persistence. During the establishment year, Vavilov II had increased numbers of seedlings per unit area (m 2 ) using a frequency grid than ‘Vavilov’ at Yakima, WA, Fillmore, UT, Dugway, UT, and Curlew Valley, ID. Vavilov II was more persistent than Vavilov at Yakima, WA, Fillmore, UT, Curlew Valley, ID, and Malta, ID. Foundation seed of Vavilov II is available through the Utah Crop Improvement Association and the University of Idaho Foundation Seed Program.