Origin
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis is a perennial plant species that belongs to the family Poaceae. The plant is native to North America, found and distributed widely in Canada, from Ontario to British Columbia, and in the United States, from Alaska to Maine.
Common Names
The common names of Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis include slender wheatgrass, narrowleaf wheatgrass, spike wheatgrass, and Crested wheatgrass.
Uses
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis is a wild forage that is frequently used to improve rangelands and pasture lands for livestock grazing. The plant has a high drought tolerance, making it a valuable plant in dry regions where other forages cannot successfully grow. It is also used for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes and roadsides.
General Appearance
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis is a tall wheatgrass species that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. It has a narrow, pointed leaf blade that is about 4-10mm wide and 10-30cm long. The plant is well adapted to harsh environments and has a deep root system that helps it access water deep in the soil. The inflorescence is a dense spike that is about 6-20cm long and consists of numerous spikelets.
Light Requirements
Agropyron trachycaulum requires full sunlight for optimal growth and development. It is best cultivated in open areas or places that receive plenty of sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
This plant species is best suited for regions with cool to moderate temperatures. Optimal growth occurs between 5 to 20°C. However, it can also tolerate occasional freezing temperatures. Temperatures above 35°C can be harmful to its growth and development.
Soil Requirements
Agropyron trachycaulum requires well-draining soils that are high in organic content. It prefers soils that are slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.5). It can thrive in sandy, loamy, or clay soils, but it does best in well-drained loamy soils. It can also handle soils that are low in fertility, but it prefers soils that are moderately fertile.
Cultivation
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis is a hardy grass species that is adaptable to a wide range of soils, although it prefers sandy or loamy soils. It can be grown in the full sun and partial shade and thrives in regions with cold winters.
To cultivate this plant, it is best to sow seeds in early spring or autumn. The seeds must be sowed shallowly, no more than 1 cm deep. The spacing between seeds must be about 5-10 cm apart. After sowing, press the seeds gently into the soil and water them lightly.
Watering needs
Once established, Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. The plant only needs to be watered during extended dry periods, especially in the summer, to prevent wilting. It is crucial not to overwater the plant since it can be prone to root rots.
Fertilization
Fertilizing Agropyron trachycaulum is unnecessary, as it can thrive on poor soil. However, to spur growth, supplemental fertilizing with nitrogen-rich fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and urea in the early spring can be beneficial.
Pruning
Pruning Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis is not necessary. However, to encourage a denser and more compact growth habit, it is advisable to mow the plant or cut back older growth in the late spring or early summer.
Propagation of Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis
Agropyron trachycaulum, also known as thickspike wheatgrass, is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass native to the western United States, Canada, and northern Mexico. It is a hardy plant that is tolerant of drought, cold, and poor soils. The following are the propagation methods for Agropyron trachycaulum.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is the easiest and most common method for propagating Agropyron trachycaulum. The seeds should be sown in the fall or early spring when the soil temperature ranges between 15°C and 18°C. The soil should be well-draining and worked to a depth of 15 to20 centimeters before sowing the seeds. Seeds should be sown 2 to 3 centimeters deep with a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters between them. The seeds will germinate in 5 to 20 days.
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation can be done through rhizomes or division. Rhizomes are the underground stems of the plant that grow horizontally and produce new plants from the buds. To propagate through rhizomes, the rhizomes should be dug up and cut into 2 to 3 centimeter sections with at least one bud and one root. These sections should be planted at a depth of 2 to 3 centimeters in a well-draining soil with a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters between them. Division propagation involves separating the plant into smaller sections, each with several buds and roots, and planting them at the same depth and distance as the rhizome sections. Vegetative propagation is typically done in the spring or early fall.
Cutting Propagation
While cutting propagation is not commonly used for Agropyron trachycaulum, it can be used in certain situations. This method involves taking stem cuttings in early spring before the plant begins to flower. The cuttings should be 10 to 15 centimeters long and with a few leaves at the top. The leaves should be removed from the lower half of the cutting, and the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone before planting. The cuttings should be planted in a well-draining soil at a depth of 2 to 3 centimeters and kept moist until roots form, which may take a few weeks.
Disease Management
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte ex H.F. Lewis, commonly known as roughleaf wheatgrass, can be affected by various diseases. The common ones include:
- Leaf spot
- Crown rot
- Fusarium root rot
- Powdery mildew
- Rust diseases
To manage leaf spot, farmers should consider applying fungicides during vegetative growth. Cultural practices such as crop rotation, removing infected plant debris, and soil fertility management can also help reduce the impact of the disease. Crown rot and Fusarium root rot can be managed through planting resistant cultivars and field sanitation practices. Powdery mildew can be managed by applying fungicides while rust diseases can be controlled through planting rust-resistant varieties.
Pest Management
Agropyron trachycaulum can also be affected by pests. Some of the common ones include:
- Grasshoppers
- Armyworms
- Wireworms
- Thrips
Grasshoppers and armyworms can be controlled by the application of insecticides. Cultivation practices such as tillage and crop rotation can also reduce pest populations. Wireworms can be managed by ensuring that the seedbed is prepared adequately, using seed treatments, and crop rotation. Thrips can be managed through the use of insecticides and crop rotation.
