Reducing Establishment Difficulties Via Selection for Seedling Vigour in Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) Via Seed Size and Density.

Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) a perennial forage crop, has been considered for its seed production potential. Production of perennial cereal crops for food and feed will provide a new farm income stream for producers and will provide establishment services and benefits. Environmental and ecosystem benefits will include reduced tillage, soil stabilization, reduced establishment risk via multi-year harvests from a single establishment and diversification of production options. Intermediate wheatgrass straw may also be baled or grazed post seed harvest providing an additional income stream (hay/straw) or be of value to a mixed producer. Grazing would allow for benefits in that animal wastes would contribute to fertility requirements for production (N and P) and would remain in the field. Seedling vigour is essential to the establishment of intermediate wheatgrass. Competition with weeds can be problematic especially in natural systems agriculture. Selection for seed size is anticipated to provide for an increase in seedling vigour and therefore lead to a reduction in stand failures while also allowing for higher bulk density and reduced shipping costs of the grain. A large nursery of intermediate wheatgrass was established in 2011 at the University of Manitoba's Ian Morrison Research Farm in Carman Manitoba. Germplasm from around the world has been accessed and will be screened for production traits including enhanced seed size. A columnar blower will be used to separate seeds based on density and vigour tests will be carried out to determine if larger seed size provides enhanced establishment and production potential. Selection for seed quality traits is expected to provide relatively quick results. Long term, selection for harvest index coupled with enhanced seed traits should allow for increased yields over populations selected for forage. These advances will increase yield per unit area and provide greater potential profitability for producers.