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Show New Grasses For Ranges Many authorities agree that range lands not suited for intensive cropping offer greatest potential for additional development in Utah and other western states. Some new grasses being selected and bred by research geneticists with the of U.S. Department Research . Agricultures Crop Laboratory at Utah State University look promising for that role. This year several grasses are being field tested at a number of range sites in Utah and Wyoming, and further data is being in collected research plantings near Logan. People responsible for managing the ranges, and others interested, will be watching them closely. If the more prommising ones continue to test out favorably, you can expect seed to be available within two to three years, according to Kay H. Asay, one of the USDA geneticists. He noted that some seed increase is being done this year at the experiment fdrm of the Utah Agricuiltural Experiment Station near Farmington. By producing breeder seed simultaneously with the final testing phases, the researchers aim to shorten the normal time period by about two years for getting new seed material out. said in plant Asay breeding they have been able to get a really good hybrid combination between bluebunch wheatgrass and (Agropyron quackgrass repens). It incorporates the desirable qualities of a standard range grass and an aggressive weed to produce a highly productive and widely adapted grass. (Agropyron spicatum) Through the hybridization process the wild rhizome characteristic of quackgrass has been tamed. Germ plasm of this hybrid has been released for other scientists to work with in their grass breeding. A Russian influence is also In a field bv l!lii3n II Con;i)ii To Ourself being seen m tne grass development. Bozoisky, a strain of Russian wild rye, was obtained by Douglas R. Dewey, research plant geneticist, during a visit to Russia in 1978. Selections from it are being increased and will be available this summer again for people to see in the North Logan area as will improved strains of crested wheatgrass. Asay noted that they also have a hybrid between fairway and a standard crested wheat that looks promising. It is not quite so far along in the development stage as the others. How well will these grasses produce under Utah range conditions? How well will livestock and wildlife utilize them? How suscep-tabl- e will they be to destructive range insects? the answers to these questions are determined, Utah can look for benefits of new improved grasses for the ranges. As gooooosossooeoscosoooooeoooooeooooooooeooeooQeeessoeeoosso WERE EXPANDING Land Purchase Livestock Equipment Plus COME IN AND SEE OUR NEW EXPANDED FRONT WERE EXPANDING TO SERVE YOU SHOP AREA SPECIAL PACKAGE LOANS FOR LAND, LIVESTOCK & EQUIPMENT BETTER. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OUR I CUSTOMERS HAVE GIVEN US OVER THE YEARS. COMBINATIONS - Clark Wall UP TO - LONG TERM 15 YEARS. Main & Center Richfield 896-546- 5 t C WALL TRACTOR & IMPLEMENT 801 East 300 North - Richfield Supplement to the Gunnison Valley News o Richfield Reaper Each Depositor's Accounts Insured to $100,000 by F.D.I.C. Member Utah Ban corporation Financial Family Rooster Valley Shopper Salina Sun Thursday, April 16, 1981 |
