Notice of release of Columbia germplasm of bluebunch wheatgrass

Abstract

Columbia Germplasm of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve [Poaceae]) was released by USDA Agricultural Research Service in 2015. It was developed through 5 cycles of selection, primarily for increased numbers of spikes, from K68, a population collected in 1980 in Adams County in eastern Washington. The collection site of K68 averages approximately 250 mm of annual precipitation, about half of the average annual precipitation at the collection sites of ‘Whitmar,’ ‘Goldar,’ and Anatone Germplasm, also in eastern Washington. Columbia Germplasm was compared with other bluebunch wheatgrass plant materials at one Nevada, 2 Idaho, and 3 Utah sites in a total of 9 trials, 5 of which were outplanted and 4 of which were seeded. Columbia Germplasm is expected to be of use most widely on Intermountain rangelands that receive between 250 and 350 mm of average annual precipitation.