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Volume 23 Number 2 July 2019

For more information on Plant Materials or for electronic access to this and other documents, access our web sites, Montana NRCS or National Plant Materials Program. Direct inquiries to USDA-NRCS, Plant Materials Center, 98 South River Road, Bridger, MT 59014, phone: 406-662-3579, FAX: 855-510-7028. All photos by BPMC or Montana NRCS staff, or USDA or NRCS file photos, unless otherwise noted.

FeatureNew Plant Materials Center Studies and Demonstrations in 2019

Three new replicated studies were installed at Bridger this past winter and spring. Zachary Lenning, Big Sky Watershed Corps member (see following Big Sky Watershed Corps Member article) established a greenhouse study to gain insight into the effects of seeding depth on the emergence of small-seeded species. Conservation plant species producing small seeds are often planted too deeply which can inhibit seedling emergence from the soil, resulting in poor stand establishment. Zach seeded lacy phacelia, western yarrow, and Sandberg bluegrass at four depths (surface, 0.25-, 0.50-, and 1.0-inch deep) and in two soil types (clay loam and sand). Seedling emergence data was collected daily for 30 days, and plots will be analyzed for total and rate of emergence.

Mark Henning, NRCS Miles City area agronomist, designed and installed a Sunn hemp and guar seeding rate study at Bridger this spring investigating optimum seeding rates for these species when planted in a warm season cover crop mix. Warm season legumes add diversity to cover crop mixes planted after frost,

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and little is known about the performance of sunn hemp and guar in Montana and Wyoming. Some cover crops species can be quite expensive, and research on ideal seeding rates for many cover crops species in Montana and Wyoming has been limited. Mark’s study also aims to determine if higher seeding rates improve establishment and increase biomass production, and at what point higher seeding rates are no longer beneficial, and therefore, not economically justifiable.

Darren Zentner and Monica Pokorny installing a cover crop study.

In a second seeding depth study, Zach is comparing two planting depths (0.5- and 1.0-inch deep) for lacey phacelia and Austrian winter pea, individually and in a mix, to determine if seeding depth and mixes have

any effect on seedling emergence, stand establishment, and biomass production. This information will compliment Zach’s greenhouse seeding depth study and provide useful field information on proper cover crop seeding depth.

Zachary Lenning evaluating lacy phacelia and Austrian winter pea seeding depth study.

Joe Scianna, Manager, Bridger PMC.

Seasonal WorkersSummer Help at the Montana-Wyoming Plant Materials Center

Summer has truly arrived when our seasonal field crew begins arriving to pull weeds and move irrigation pipe. Each growing season beginning in late May, high school and college students arrive, some funded through the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Montana (SWCDM), some through Montana State University Foundation Seed, and some through contracted vendors. The work is not glamorous or easy,

and is often performed under hot, dusty, and dry conditions. Hand weeding reduces herbicide usage, reduces seed processing time in the winter months, and helps ensure we obtain Foundation grade quality seed. The anchor of our summer staff has been the 4 to 5 summer laborers hired by SWCDM. SWCDM voluntarily funds these positions for the good of the conservation effort. Summer help is essential to the Plant Materials program and the quality of its products. A sincere “thank you” to them for all they do and for our partnering organizations for providing and supporting them.

PublicationsRecent Montana-Wyoming Plant Materials Publications and Training

Getting technical information to NRCS field staff, partners, and landowners is an important function of every Plant Materials Center. In recent months, The MTPMC completed several publications and initiated a new webinar-based training program.

The Bridger Plant Materials Center Year 2018 Progress Report of Activities was completed and is posted on the Montana and Wyoming NRCS websites, as well as the National PM website (MTPMC 2018 Progress Report of Activities). This comprehensive overview of 2018 activities and accomplishments is a useful summary for both NRCS staff and the public.

The release brochure for ‘Critana’ thickspike wheatgrass was revised and updated and is available at (Critana Release Brochure). Critana is an important MTPMC release selected for the stabilization of

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disturbed areas such as mine lands, roadsides, airports, recreation areas, and construction sites. It is also well suited for low-maintenance landscapes and naturalized areas needing little maintenance and requiring only modest amounts of soil moisture. Critana is fast establishing and provides good forage and hay.

The final study report for the bur oak and plains cottonwood deep pot study at Bridger was completed in 2018 and is posted at (Bridger Deep Pot Study). This study was conducted in conjunction with the plains cottonwood study along the Yellowstone River in Miles City with the ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory. The Bridger study found that the survival and height growth of seedlings grown in conventional 10-inch containers under dryland conditions was the same as those grown in 24- and 36-inch deep pots. This supports growing these species in conventional 10-inch pots and using established NRCS guidelines for maintaining tree and shrub plantings.

Roger Hybner (retired) with a bur oak grown in a 36-inch deep container.

The final study report for Comparing Establishment and Growth of Five Native Grass Species Collected in Yellowstone National Park to those Selected by the Plant Materials Program was completed this winter. The study was prompted by challenges to restore non-native dominated plant communities in the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) with desirable native species. Density difference between ‘High Plains’ Sandberg bluegrass and the YNP source supports the hypothesis that seed source can be a factor in restoration success. The biomass result from the MTPMC show seed source does not affect the conservation benefits of species tested. For the full report, go to (Yellowstone: Plant Materials Comparison Study Report).

Although preliminary, the results of an initial evaluation planting (IEP) bluebunch wheatgrass seed sources were summarized in a final study report and are posted at (Bluebunch Wheatgrass IEP Study Report). The overall goal of the study was to evaluate bluebunch wheatgrass ecotypes for conservation practices east of the continental divide. Seed collected from 65 bluebunch wheatgrass populations growing east of the

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continental divide in Montana and Wyoming were planted at the MTPMC and data collected on stand establishment, biomass production, and seed production. While most accessions performed poorly compared to ‘Goldar’ and ‘Anatone’, several performed well, including accessions 9091061 (Yellowstone County, MT), 9091058 (Hill County, MT), 9091011 (Hill County, MT), and 9091009 (Powder River County, MT). Thanks for our field office staff for taking time from their busy schedules to collect seeds!

The new Plant Materials Tech Note MT-122 summarizes two studies that tested spring and fall seeded forb species for use in pollinator plantings. Twelve species were tested; six seeded in the spring, and six seeded in the fall because they require winter stratification to break seed dormancy. Spring drill seeding of western yarrow, prairie coneflower, white prairie clover, black-eyed Susan, blanketflower, and Lewis flax into a clean-tilled field resulted in full stands of all species when seeded as single species, and diverse stands when seeded in a mix to improve pollinator habitat. Fall dormant seeding resulted only in good individual and mix stands of purple coneflower and silverleaf phacelia. Rocky Mountain beeplant established well for one to two years but did not persist.

Plant Materials staff contributed to the updating of Biology Tech Note MT-20 Creating and Enhancing Habitat for Pollinator Insects. Pollinator habitat can be created or enhanced by addressing a few basic habitat requirements of insect pollinators including a site selected and managed for undisturbed soil and shelter; a pesticide-free environment; and a diversity of plants with a range of bloom periods. This revision includes information on selecting a site for pollinator habitat; best management practices for site grazing, burning, or mowing while promoting pollinator habitat; and how to minimize or avoid impacts from pesticides. The Tech Note includes an updated list of plant species to select for pollinators plantings.

Bluebunch wheatgrass initial evaluation planting at the Bridger Plant Materials Center.

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Many conservation practices rely on revegetation as part of the conservation strategy. There are many factors to consider when developing a planting plan that will influence the success of a planting. One factor is selecting species adapted and suitable to the revegetation site. The new Range Technical Note WY-3, developed by the Wyoming Plant Materials Committee, can be used for determining range planting rates and seed mixtures in Wyoming. This Technical Note provides information and resources on the revegetation planning process, species suited to ecological sites in Wyoming, and seeding rates for species that are typically commercially available.

In the past couple years, we’ve have received several questions about biological control insect use in Montana including how many insects to apply, how to spread them, where to collect or purchase them, and what species are most effective. NRCS Plant Materials worked with the Montana Biocontrol Project to summarize information on four commonly used biological control insects in the new Technical Note Invasives-36: Biological Control of Invasive Plants in Montana. This document provides practical information on the weed and insect species, how to collect, store and release the insects, and how to monitor the release site for success. Also, Tech Note pages on each insects/weed species can be used as individual handouts for educational purposes. We hope you find this new resource useful for your office and producers.

Joe Scianna, Manager, Bridger PMC and Monica Pokorny, MT-WY Plant Materials Specialist

Foundation Seed

It’s the third week in June and we are still shipping Foundation seed to commercial seed producers! That’s good news, suggesting demand for MTPMC conservation selections remains strong. With 32 plant selections released to date, the need to produce Foundation seed never seems to wane.

Foundation seed field of Old Works Germplasm fuzzytongue penstemon.

Last fall and this spring staff seeded 11 fields of MTPMC selections as stockpiles decreased or seed lots aged. These include ‘Rimrock’ Indian ricegrass, Old Works Germplasm fuzzytongue

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penstemon, Stucky Ridge Germplasm silverleaf phacelia, Opportunity Germplasm Nevada bluegrass, ‘High Plains’ Sandberg bluegrass, Meriwether Germplasm blanketflower, Great Northern Germplasm western yarrow, Stillwater Germplasm upright prairie coneflower, Antelope Germplasm white prairie clover, ‘Critana’ thickspike wheatgrass, and ‘Pryor’ slender wheatgrass. It’s important to remember for conservation applications, a large majority of cost-efficient, readily available seed originates from the Plant Materials program.

Big Sky Watershed Corps MemberZachary Lenning – 2019 Big Sky Watershed Corps Member

Zachary Lenning, Big Sky Watershed Corps member, giving a pollinator talk. Greenhouse seeding depth study.

Thanks to support from NRCS, the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Montana, and the Big Sky Watershed Corps (Americorps) program, Zach Lenning is the new member stationed at the MTPMC for 2019. Zach began his tenure at Bridger in January and

quickly became an asset to the program assisting with seed cleaning, seed lot accessioning and inventorying, project planning and development, map and spreadsheet development, and a host of other MTPMC support activities. Zach has also taken lead on two replicated studies, one in the greenhouse and one in the field, related to the effects of seed planting depth on seedling emergence (see Plant Materials Studies and Demonstration in

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2019). Zach is building on Shannon Filbey’s effort with our conservation plant demonstration garden, maintaining existing plots and planting new species and cultivars.

Joe Scianna, Manager, Bridger PMC.

Plant Materials Specialist Activities

The Terry Field Planting Demonstration Project, located at the Terry Field Office, provides an excellent opportunity to observe the characteristics of forty grass, eleven forb, nineteen shrub, and eleven tree species. The site provides an indication of the species ability to establish and persist in a dryland setting. All species are suited to eastern Montana climate. In May, NRCS Field Office,

Area Office, Plant Materials, and Conservation District staff worked to renovate and replant overgrown plots. If you have the opportunity, stop by the Terry Field Office to look at the field planting – it’s a great learning tool!

The orange and black Monarch butterfly is an astounding icon of animal migrations. It is known for its annual, multi-generation migration from Mexico to the northern U.S. and Canada. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed during the journey to lay their eggs and for their caterpillars to feed. Monarch populations have decreased significantly over the past two

decades, in part because of the decrease in native plants, including milkweed, that once spanned the country. Because monarch butterflies are always on the move, they need to have the right plants at the right time along their migration route. One-way NRCS can support monarchs and other pollinator insects is to plant milkweed and flowering plants in conservation practices. This spring, the Teller Wildlife Refuge, Pheasants Forever, NRCS Hamilton Field Office, Montana State University Ag Experimental Station, and NRCS Plant Materials worked together to seed a milkweed and pollinator field planting near Hamilton, MT. This field planting tests planting milkweed seed alone,

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milkweed rhizomes alone, and a milkweed-pollinator seed mix (penstemon, hairy goldenaster, blanketflower, blue flax, milkweed, green needlegrass, and bluebunch and western wheatgrasses) to see how well the species establish. The milkweed rhizome planting builds off research at the Idaho Plant Materials Center. In addition, the Teller Wildlife Refuge is working with the Hamilton FO to install additional, larger scale pollinator and monarch plantings through the NRCS Honey Bee Pollinator Special Initiative. Teller has just completed a pollinator shrub planting within several exclosures, a 9-acre multi-species pollinator conservation cover planting, and a 1-acre milkweed conservation cover planting. We’ll be monitoring the planting later this summer.

Be sure to check the MT Plant Materials Field Plantings Reports website later this summer for results and lessons learned!

Monica Pokorny, MT-WY Plant Materials Specialist

Milkweed seed being planted at the Teller Refuge with MSU’s cone seeder.

Grass was sprayed with Roundup prior to seeding, April 2019

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