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Siberian Wheatgrass (Agropyron sibericum)

Plant Species
From Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook *
 By S. Smoliak, R.L. Ditterline, J.D. Scheetz, L.K. Holzworth, J.R. Sims, L.E. Wiesner, D.E. Baldridge, and G.L. Tibke

Siberian wheatgrass is a long-lived bunchgrass similar to crested wheatgrass. It is a native to the Steppes of central Eurasia. It was introduced into the United States in 1906, but was not successfully grown until the 1920's.

Seeding characteristics are good and seedlings are vigorous. It also greens up early in the spring providing early spring grazing. It remains green about two weeks longer in the summer than does standard crested wheatgrass. The difference is more noticeable where late spring showers occur.

Siberian wheatgrass is only moderately good for erosion control since it is a bunchgrass. However, it does provide good erosion control on arid sites where other plants are not well adapted. Siberian wheatgrass is planted widely on rangeland for spring-fall use. It is well liked by cattle, sheep and horses. Late fall or early winter is the best time to seed this grass. This will allow germination early in the spring and establishment of seed-lings before the moisture supply is depleted.

Description

In appearance, Siberian wheatgrass is similar to standard crested wheat-grass. However, the stems are finer, leaves are more lax, seed heads are narrower and glumes are awnless. Both grasses have the same cultural requirements. Siberian wheat-grass matures later than standard crested wheatgrass, has a higher leaf to stem ratio and is lower in lignin.

Adaptation

Siberian wheatgrass is more drought-tolerant than crested wheatgrass and is more productive in areas receiving less than 13 inches precipitation. It is moderately tolerant to alkali, and will do well on sandy soils underlain by a hardpan. It dies out quickly at 9,300 feet elevation on Gravelly Range. It produces more feed in arid climates and on moderately coarse-textured and desert soils. For best production, good winter and early spring moisture is needed.

Limitations

Siberian wheatgrass is not well adapted to the moister parts of Montana where cool, short seasons with ample moisture prevail. It tolerates only a short period of spring flooding and is intolerant of high water tables. It has only a fair tolerance of alkali salts and acidity.

Palatability of Siberian wheatgrass drops off markedly in the summer as the plant matures and becomes dormant. With good summer rainfall growth continues and palatability is maintained. Fall growth comes on rapidly with fall rains.

Use for Hay

Although it is seldom planted for hay production, Siberian wheatgrass does produce good, quality hay and in dry areas, it compares quite well with other grasses in quantity. The quality of the grass for hay deteriorates rapidly after heading. In the drier areas of the state it is often preferred for mixtures with legumes.

Use for Pasture

Due to early green-up this plant is especially good for early spring pasture. It yields well and is very palatable early in the spring. It cures with less protein content than other grasses, but can be and is sometimes used for winter grazing (protein supplements recommended). Livestock have shown preference for Siberian wheatgrass, probably due to lack of awns, fine stem and low lignin content. Siberian wheatgrass has a lower lignin content than crested wheatgrass: 7.5 percent as compared with 8.5 percent. This is important because the feed is seven percent more digestible, and the intake rate by livestock is greater. Sheep producers report that their livestock show a preference for Siberian wheatgrass over crested wheatgrass.

Seed Production

Seed production of Siberian wheatgrass is relatively easy and you can expect about 100 to 200 pounds of seed per acre on dryland and about 500+ pounds per acre in irrigated fields.

* The Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook (EB69) is no longer in print, but is available for viewing in
Montana County Extension Service and National Resource Conservation Service Offices.