For purposes of soil conservation, in the fall of 2000 the northwest-ridge field, approximately 20% of the land area (25 ha) in the immediate environment of the shed was placed in soil bank and remaining wheat stubble was seeded to grass (bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoregneria spicata), slender wheatgrass (
Agropyron trachycaulum), big bluegrass (Poa ampla), and Indian ricegrass (Otyzopis hymenoides)).
Results of a study conducted on early goldenrod (Solidago juncea) and slender wheatgrass (
Agropyron trachycaulum) suggested that roadside populations of the two species evolved higher salt tolerance than non-roadside populations (Pitelka and Kellogg 1979).
Plant species seeded on the CRP fields included tall wheat grass (Agropyron elongatum), smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis, crested wheat grass (Agropyron deser torum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), slender wheat grass (
Agropyron trachycaulum), sweet clover (Melilotus officianalis Lam.), western wheat grass (Agropyron smithu), intermediate wheat grass (Agropyron intermedium), pubescent wheat grass (Agropyron trichophorum), and switch grass (Panicum virgatum).
KP p, s 36 Elymus trachycaulus (Link) KP p, s Gould ex Shinners
Agropyron trachycaulum (Link) Malte (4) 37 Empetrum nigrum L.
Gambel oak, rock spirea (Holodiscus dumosus), and waxflower (Jamesia americana) are typical understory shrubs and slender wheatgrass (
Agropyron trachycaulum), Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa), and Parry oatgrass (Danthonia parryi) are common grasses in the MC zone.
Agropyron trachycaulum - North American grass cultivated in western United States as excellent forage crop