Elymus angustus Trin.

Scientific Name: Elymus angustus Trin.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Leymus Hochst./ Elymus angustus Trin.

<i>Elymus angustus</i> Trin.
General Information
Usda SymbolELAN80
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsELAN80

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

Aneurolepidium angustum (Trin.) Nevski, Elymus angustus Trin. (PLANTS Database).

Uses

Grazing: Altai wildrye is well suited for pasture forage production. It has a long period of growth that begins early in the spring and continues into late fall. The mostly basal leaves make the forage difficult to harvest as hay (Smoliak, et. al, 1990). Wildlife: Altai wildrye provides good wildlife cover because of its tall stature and standing residue but is not readily used by foraging wildlife. It has limited value as a seed source for wildlife and birds or use by native pollinators (Sedivec, et. al, 2007).

Status

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Altai wildrye is an introduced, drought resistant, perennial grass that can grow to approximately 40 inches tall. The coarse, wide, erect, basal leaves vary from light green to blue. The plant is generally a bunch type but has short rhizomes. The root system can penetrate 10-13 feet deep and can use soil moisture to that depth more efficiently than most other grasses. Culms are solitary or tufted, 60-100 cm (24-40 in) tall, glabrous, or pubescent below nodes and the seedhead. Leaf sheath is grayish green, usually shorter than the internodes, smooth or slightly scabrous. The ligule is 0.5-1 mm (0.02-0.04 in) long, membranous with and an obtuse apex. Leaf blade is glaucous, rolled, 15-25 cm (6-10 in) long and 0.5-0.7 cm (0.20-0.28 in) wide, stiff and mostly smooth on both sides. The spike is erect, 15-20 cm (6-10 in) long by 0.7-1 cm (0.28-0.39 in) diameter. There are 2-3 spikelets per node with 2 or 3 florets per spikelet. Glumes cover the base of the first lemma, 10-13 mm (0.39-0.51 in) long, linear-lanceolate and 1-veined. Lemma is lanceolate, with 5-7 faint veins. The first lemma is 10-14 mm (0.39-0.55 in) long including an awn. The palea is slightly shorter than the lemma and is ciliate along the keels (Flora of China). The seed is very large, three times the size of Russian wildrye (Kruger). Distribution: Altai wildrye is native to China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, southwest Asia and Europe (Flora of China). For current distribution in North America, consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Adaptation

Altai wildrye is well adapted to loam to clay-loam soils receiving 14-18 inches or greater mean annual precipitation (or irrigated). It has comparable seedling emergence and tolerance to salinity as Russian wildrye (Kruger), (McElgunn and Lawrence, 1973) and can be utilized to reclaim saline sites.

Establishment

Altai wildrye seedlings grow and establish slowly and as compared to many other grasses and are poor competitors with weeds. Good seedbed preparation is critical to stand establishment. It is important to have a clean, firm seedbed. Weeds should be destroyed by cultivation or with herbicides before seeding. After emergence, weed control will need to continue to ensure plant establishment. Once Altai wildrye is established, it is very competitive with most weeds (Smoliak, et. al, 1990). Even though seed of Altai wildrye is large and can emerge better from deeper depths than many other grasses, shallow seeding is recommended because of its reduced competitive ability (Smoliak, et. al, 1990), (Kruger). Altai wildrye should be seeded with a drill at a depth of ¼-½ inch. There are approximately 68,000 seeds per pound (PLANTS Database). The recommended full seeding rate is 12 pounds Pure Live Seed (PLS) per acre (Ogle, et. al, 2010). If used as a component of a seeding mix, adjust to percent of mix desired. For critical area stabilization or broadcast planting, double the drill seeding rate to 24 pounds PLS per acre.

Management

New stands of Altai wildrye should not be grazed until they are well established and have started to produce seed heads. Eight inches of new growth should be attained in spring before grazing is allowed in established stands. Grazing cycles with 35 days or more rest are recommended. Six inches of stubble should remain at the end of the grazing season to maintain the long-term health of the stand (Ogle, et al., 2009). Altai wildrye establishes slowly as compared to many other grasses and is a poor competitor with weeds. However, once established, it is a very competitive grass. Altai wildrye produces about 20 percent of its total growth by mid-May and 30 percent by early June and reaches peak forage production by late July. It provides good quality forage in spring and early summer based on its growth patterns. It also provides excellent quality forage in the fall and early winter (Sedivec, et al, 2007). In northern regions, it is commonly swathed into windrows and utilized for winter forage (Ogle, et al., 2010).

Pests and Potential Problems

Altai wildrye is susceptible to leaf spot diseases. Resistance to leaf spot has been a factor in the selection of released varieties (Sedivec, et al. 2007).

Environmental Concerns

Concerns

Concerns

Altai wildrye is a bunchgrass that develops short rhizomes. It generally does not move from its planting location except under ideal climatic and environmental conditions.

Seed Production

Plant Altai wildrye seed at 6-7 pounds PLS per acre in 30-36 inch rows to a seeding depth of ¼ to½ inch in a clean, firm seedbed. This seeding rate is equivalent to approximately 30 seeds per linear foot of row. Seeding in April and May is recommended to maximize stand establishment and seed yield (Kruger). To facilitate seed production and weed control, it is desirable to plant in spaced rows instead of a solid stand. Between-row cultivation is required to maximize seed yield, and to maintain rows and weed-free conditions. Altai wildrye seed production field in North Dakota. USDA-NRCS, Bismarck, ND PMC. Fertilizer is generally not recommended during establishment. If soil nitrogen and phosphorus are low, an application of 10-15 pounds per acre of nitrogen and 20-30 pounds per acre of phosphorus may be applied and incorporated into the soil prior to planting. Fertilize for full seed production following the establishment year in the early fall or if on sandy soils, use split applications in early fall and again in early spring. Clipping or mowing annual weeds is an effective strategy for control during the establishment year. Weeds should be mowed as needed to prevent them from setting seed. Once Altai wildrye becomes established, there will be fewer weeds. Hand rouging and herbicides labeled for grass seed production will also be required. The most difficult weeds to control include quackgrass, cheatgrass (downy brome), green foxtail and Persian darnel. (Kruger). Seed is usually harvested mid to late July. Swathing to allow the seed to complete maturity followed by combining is recommended. Direct combining is also an option but harvest timing and seed drying are critical elements that must be dealt with. Altai wildrye readily shatters when mature and seed must be dried to 10-12 percent moisture content before storage (Kruger). Seed yields range from 50 to 150 pounds per acre on dryland and 75 to 200 pounds per acre under irrigation. The removal of residue and stubble from seed production fields is critical to maintaining the seed productivity of a stand. Plots remaining unclipped in the fall show elevation of the growing points above the ground level predisposing primordial seed heads to winter injury (Kruger). Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) ‘Eejay’ was selected and released by Agriculture Canada (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) in 1989. It was selected for higher seed and forage yield compared to Prairieland and is also resistant to leaf spot diseases (Sedivec, et al. 2007). ‘Mustang’ was released in 2004 by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Forage and

Range

Laboratory in Logan, Utah. It is significantly taller than Prairieland, Pearl and Eejay. It has higher forage production than Prairieland or Pearl and superior seedling establishment compared to Prairieland and Pearl (Sedivec, et al. 2007). ‘Pearl’ was selected and released by Agriculture Canada (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) in 1989. It was selected for higher seed production than Prairieland. It has lower forage yield than Prairieland and is also resistant to leaf spot diseases (Sedivec, et al. 2007). ‘Prairieland’ was selected and released by Agriculture Canada (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) in 1976. It was selected for high seed yield, high forage yield and is resistant to leaf spot diseases (Sedivec, et al. 2007).

References

Flora of China. Leymus angustus. [Online] Available at http://www.efloras.org (accessed 26 October 2010). Kruger G., no date. Altai wildrye: A Seed Production Review. [Online] Available at www1.agric.gov.ab.ca (accessed 27 October 2010). McElgunn, J. D. and Lawrence, T. 1973. Salinity Tolerance of Altai Wild Ryegrass and Other

Forage

Grasses. Can. J. Plant Sci. 53: 303-307. Ogle, D.G., St. John, L., Stannard, M. 2010. Grass, Grass-like, Forb, Legume and Woody species for the Intermountain West. USDA-NRCS. ID-TN24. Boise, ID. Ogle, D.G.., St. John, L., Cornwell, J., Stannard, M. and Holzworth, L. 2009. Pasture and Range Seedings: Planning – Installation – Evaluation – Management. USDA-NRCS. ID-TN10. Boise, ID. Ogle, D.G., St. John, L., and Stannard, M. 2009. Pasture – Species Selection and Grazing Management Guidelines. USDA-NRCS. ID-TN11. Boise, ID PLANTS Database. Conservation plant characteristics for Leymus angustus. [Online] Available at http://plants.usda.gov (accessed 26 October 2010). Sedivec, K. K., Tober, D.A., Duckwitz, W.L., Dewald, D. D., and Printz, J. L. 2007. Grasses for the Northern Plains. Volume 1 – Cool Season. North Dakota State University Extension Service R-1323. 89 p. Smoliak, S., Ditterline, R.L., Scheetz, J.D., Holzworth, L. K., Sims, J.R., Wiesner, D.E., Baldrige, D.E. and Tibke, G.L. 1990. Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook for Forage Production, Conservation, Reclamation and Wildlife. Montana State University, Extension Service. EB 69. 337 p.

Prepared By

Loren St, John, Team Leader, USDA, NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, ID Daniel G, Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist, USDA, NRCS, Boise, ID Wayne Duckwitz, Manager, USDA, Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, ND Dwight Tober, Plant Materials Specialist, USDA, NRCS, Bismarck, ND Citation St, John, L,, D,G, Ogle, W, Duckwitz, D, Tober, 2010, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Elymus angustus Trin.., Plant Guide for Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Aberdeen, ID Plant Materials Center Published January, 2011 Edited: ls 19Nov2010;dgo 14Dec2010;wd13Dec2010;ls 14 Dec2010;wd17Dec2010; jab 20Dec2010; ls 5jan2011 For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Fertility RequirementLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fertility RequirementLow
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceHigh
Fire ToleranceHigh
Fire ToleranceHigh
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-43
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Precipitation, Minimum12
Precipitation, Minimum14
Precipitation, Minimum14
Precipitation, Minimum14
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)20
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Hedge ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-43
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-43
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-43
Precipitation, Maximum18
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseHigh
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Maximum9.0
pH, Minimum5.9
pH, Minimum5.9
pH, Minimum5.9
pH, Minimum5.9
Precipitation, Maximum18
Precipitation, Maximum18
Precipitation, Maximum18
pH, Maximum8.5


Morphology/Physiology

Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Active Growth PeriodSpring, Summer, Fall
Flower ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGray-Green
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterDense
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
BloatNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSpring, Summer, Fall
Active Growth PeriodSpring, Summer, Fall
Active Growth PeriodSpring, Summer, Fall
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
LifespanLong
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height, Mature (feet)3.9
Height, Mature (feet)3.9
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
LifespanLong
LifespanLong
LifespanLong
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Growth RateRapid
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureCoarse
Foliage TextureCoarse
Foliage TextureCoarse
Foliage TextureCoarse
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateModerate
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo


Reproduction

Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Vegetative Spread RateSlow
Vegetative Spread RateSlow
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed per Pound60238
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed per Pound73000
Seed per Pound68000
Seed per Pound68000
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceLow
Fruit/Seed AbundanceLow
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Propagated by CormNo
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Propagated by BulbNo


Suitability/Use

Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh
Post ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh

<i>Elymus angustus</i> Trin.

<i>Elymus angustus</i> Trin.

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