Sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the Great Basin have become increasingly threatened by the proliferation of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), an invasive annual grass. Diverse sagebrush and perennial bunchgrass landscapes can be converted to homogenous cheatgrass grasslands mainly through the effects of fire. Although the consequences of this conversion are well...
One important cool-season perennial grass seed crop grown in Oregon is fine fescue (Festuca rubra L.). Open-field burning has been used for many decades to manage pests, cycle nutrients, and stabilize yield, in fine fescue seed fields, especially as stands age. Legislative restrictions currently limit open-field burning to 6,070 hectares...
Oregon is the world’s leading producer of crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) seed. Recent research has reported that seed yield has been increased in cool-season grass and red clover (T. pratense L.) seed crops with the application of trinexapac-ethyl, a gibberellic acid biosynthesis inhibiting plant growth regulator (PGR) and lodging-control...
Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is an important seed crop, but unlike other cool-season perennial grass seed crops such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.], seed yields have not increased over time so there is considerable room for improvement. Research suggests that plant growth...
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed yield can be affected by plant growth regulators (PGR) and irrigation; however, the effects of these factors on physiological maturity (PM), harvest maturity (HM), and seed quality are unknown. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine how irrigation and trinexapac-ethyl (TE, a...
Seed shattering is a constraint to improvement of seed yield in Lolium perenne L. and as a result, seed retention is an essential trait for this valuable crop. Field studies were conducted near Corvallis, OR in two years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) to identify genetic variation for seed retention and to...