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GERMPLASMS

Registration of Southlow Michigan Germplasm Indiangrass

USDA Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, 7472 Stoll Rd., E. Lansing, MI 48823

^* Corresponding author (john.durling{at}mi.usda.gov).

Southlow Michigan germplasm indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] (Reg. No. GP-96, PI 642396) was released 19 Sept. 2001 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This Source Identified Class (natural track) germplasm is eligible for seed certification under Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) guidelines (AOSCA, 2003). Southlow Michigan germplasm indiangrass was given the designation ACC: 9084513 by USDA-NRCS and determined "OK to release" when evaluated through the "Environmental Evaluation of NRCS Plant Releases" worksheet.

Indiangrass is a perennial, warm-season, bunch grass with culms 1 to 2.5 m tall from short scaly rhizomes. The prominent, membranous, claw-like ligule resembles a rifle sight. Indiangrass has a narrow plume-like panicle that turns golden brown at maturity (Hitchcock and Chase, 1950; USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Southlow germplasm indiangrass is a multi-origin native germplasm with G0 seed assembled from 22 native stands (as designated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division) in the southern half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula in 1999. The purpose of the assembly was to provide a genetically diverse indiangrass seed source representing populations that are native to Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Seeds were mixed and planted in a single crossing block without further purposeful selection. Seed harvested from this crossing block was released as Southlow Michigan germplasm indiangrass. The Southlow Michigan sobriquet connotes its origin in southern Lower Michigan.

Indiangrass grows throughout most of the U.S. It attracts insects; provides food, nesting, escape, and winter cover for birds and small mammals; and is a major component of tall and mixed grass prairies. Southlow Michigan germplasm indiangrass will provide seed for Federal and state programs (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Grassland Reserve Program, and Michigan Landowner Incentive Program) that require or encourage the use of verified, regionally-sourced native grasses for restoration and diversification of native habitats and for erosion control. Its known area of adaptation is the southern half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

Limited quantities of seeds are available on request from Dave Burgdorf (dave.burgdorf{at}mi.usda.gov) for five years after registration with CSSA. Afterward, seed will be made available from the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Recipients of seed are asked to make appropriate recognition of the source of germplasm if it is used in the development of a new cultivar, germplasm, parental line, or genetic stock.

Footnotes

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher.

Received for publication March 19, 2007.

References

• Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies. 2003. Operational procedures, crop standards and service program publication. http://www.aosca.org/2004%20Yellow%20Book,%20pdf.pdf; verified 10 Oct. 2007.
• Hitchcock, A.S., and A. Chase. 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. 2nd ed. U.S. Gov. Print. Off., Washington, DC.
• USDA-NRCS. 2006. The PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov; verified 10 Oct. 2007.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Durling, J. C. Articles by Burgdorf, D. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Durling, J. C. Articles by Burgdorf, D. W.