Emergence and Yield of Six Range Grasses Planted on Four Dates Using Natural and Treated Seed

Abstract

Six range grasses were compared by sowing natural and treated seed at four dates. Seedlings from treated seeds emerged sooner in all species except Russian wildrye for the first three planting dates. The fourth planting was a failure for both treated and natural seeds. The advantages of faster emergence from treated seeds did not result in more plants at 35-46 days nor in higher yield. Intermediate wheatgrass emerged first, followed by Russian wildrye and Siberian, crested, beardless, and fairway wheatgrasses. Intermediate wheatgrass yielded most, followed by crested, Siberian, and fairway wheatgrasses, Russian wildrye, and beardless wheatgrass.