2009-09-21_PERMIT FILE - C1981010A (42)

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• itself better than many other grasses under very heavy grazing. All strains are highly palatable to game and stock, but the more foliate northern strains usually are preferred. Southern types stabilize soil well on eroded sites. Usually 11 inches' annual precipitation is the minimum limit at which smooth brome becomes established and produces well (Plummer, 1968). The USDA Soil Conservation Service (1977) highly recommends that Manchar smooth brome be included in a seed mix for Zones III and VIII (Figure 3.6-1). Elvmus angustus altai wildrye The potential of Altai wildrye [Elymus angustus (Trin.) Tzvelev], a relatively recent introduction from U.S.S.R, is beginning to attract the attention of scien- tists and ranchers in North America. Although this species remains to be fully evaluated in the Intermountain West, it has been found to be winterhardy, drought • resistant, and persistent in the Great Plains. It has been reported to be nearly as tolerant to soil salinity as tall wheatgrass (Lawrence 1983). At maturity, Altai wildrye is about 50% larger than Russian wildrye and has relatively coarse, erect leaves that range in color from light green to blue green. The grass has been noted for its extensive root system that can reach soil depths of over 10 feet (3 m). Because of the excellent curing qualities of its forage and its erect culms that protrude through the snow, the species has been proposed for extending the grazing season during the fall and winter (Lawrence 1976). Its seed is larger than Russian wildrye and it is reported to be tolerant of deep seeding in a range of soil types in Canada (Lawrence 1970). Astragalus titer sicklepod titer milkvetch Sicklepod milkvetch is a very productive legume introduced from Russia. It is best adapted to the mountain brush zone, but grows well in favorable areas of the juniper-pinyon and big sagebrush types. This large legume has a long, heavy tap- 3-133 REVISED hcd 1 s d I