Effect of Time of Seeding on Emergence and Long-Term Survival of Crested Wheatgrass in British Columbia

Abstract

The study showed that fall was the best time to seed crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) in the dry belt of British Columbia. With fall seedings, if emergence did not take place in the fall, it did so the following spring; there was very little plant kill over winter. Among the spring seedings, germination took place if the soil moisture content was adequate, usually above 10%. Soil moisture content was the most important single factor in determining establishment of seedlings. Late May and June seedings often germinated and died before seedlings became established. Rains in June, July, and August were ineffective in promoting emergence but may have been a factor in assuring establishment of the early-spring seedlings. By 1981, fall seedings no longer retained their advantage but the poor performance of the June seedings was still evident.