Project Number: 5428-21000-006-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 16, 2002
End Date: Oct 15, 2007

Objective:
Acquire, characterize and breed native and introduced range and pasture plants that are environmentally sustainable and meet the needs of conservation, restoration, renovation and reclamation of semiarid rangelands and pastures in the western U.S.

Approach:
Research and collections will quantify biodiversity and expand the availability of genetically diverse plants. Plants will be characterized and their desirable traits identified through use of physiological, biochemical, ecological, molecular, and genetic approaches. New molecular and cytogenetic approaches will be developed and used to identify and characterize genetic identity, genetic traits and mechanisms needed to improve efficiency of genetic enhancement and plant improvement. Selection, breeding, and evaluation of plant materials will result in plant releases with enhanced traits for seed germination, seedling vigor, competition with weeds, rhizome development, cool-temperature growth, reducing wildfires, salinity and drought tolerance, and forage quality and yield.

Project Team

Chatterton, N - Jerry Johnson, Douglas Monaco, Thomas Peel, Michael Larson, Steven Waldron, Blair Jensen, Kevin Jones, Thomas Wang, Richard

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)   Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)

Related Projects

GREAT BASIN NATIVE PLANT SELECTION AND INCREASE PROJECT    DEVELOP & MONITOR IMPROVED PLANTS FOR REVEGETATION OF AREAS DISTURBED BY FIRE AND ARMY ACTIVITIES    EVALUATE THE SUCCESS OF USING PERENNIAL GRASSES TO RESTORE DESIRABLE VEGETATION TO CHEATGRASS-INFESTED RANGELANDS    GRASSES OF NORTH AMERICA    DEVELOP AND EVALUATE PLANTS FOR IMPROVED LIVESTOCK PERFORMANCE    LAKESIDE NATIVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT    INTEGRATED RESTORATION STRATEGIES TOWARDS WEED CONTROL ON WESTERN RANGELANDS