Notice of release of Ramadero germplasm Spike Lovegrass: a selected class of natural germplasm

Abstract

Ramadero Germplasm spike lovegrass (Eragrostis spicata Vasey [Poaceae]) is a selected germplasm released for seed production and use in rangeland restoration and reclamation seeding associated with oil and gas exploration in South Texas. Ramadero Germplasm was developed by South Texas Natives and USDA NRCS E “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center. Spike lovegrass is a warm-season, perennial bunchgrass that grows in moist prairies, swales, creeks (“ramaderos”), seasonal wetlands, and in saline and alkaline soils throughout the Rio Grande Plains, Coastal Sand Plains, and Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes of Texas. Ramadero Germplasm was collected from a native population in La Salle County, Texas. This seed source is recommended for use in native seed mixes for rangeland restoration on clay, clay loam, and saline clay ecological sites and in reclamation plantings on sites affected by oil and gas exploration in the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas production region of Texas. Ramadero Germplasm was selected for release because of excellent comparative growth, indications of region-wide adaptation, and high seed quality when compared with other native grass species and available releases of similar plants at 3 sites within the area of intended use. This release was made in large part because of the need for native seed with natural adaptations to soil characteristics of problematic reclamation sites in the Eagle Ford region.