Project Number: 5428-21000-006-07
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Sep 27, 2001
End Date: Jul 23, 2006

Objective:
Army Material Command guidlines contain very little information about revegetation species for dry climates of western United States. 1) Demonstration plots will be established of the new improved germplasms and monitored for target species composition, weedy species, litter, and bare ground under disturbances. 2) Develop improved germplasm with improved traits that enhance establishment and persistence under disturbance. 3) Use molecular techniques to develop germplasm tolerant of abiotic stress.

Approach:
Improved germplasms developed from this program will be established at representative training sites in large scale plots using traditional dryland seeding methods to demonstrate improved establishment characteristics of the new experimental germplasms. Plots will be subjected to controlled disturbances by fire and army equipment. Recovery, persistence of the target species, and weed control will be monitored for several years after disturbance. AFLP and PCR-based techniques will be employed to define genetic relationships between DNA variation of the improved germplasm and geographical origin. In addition, these technologies will be used to compare the improved germplasm with natural populations of the same species. Based on data obtained these improved germplasms will be used to conserve natural resources by army training installations in the temperate semiarid regions of the U.S.

Project Team

Jensen, Kevin Larson, Steven Waldron, Blair Chatterton, N - Jerry Robert Newhall - Professor 435-797-3099

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)