Vavilov Siberian Wheatgrass

Vavilov Siberian Wheatgrass is a perennial bunchgrass that is palatable, fine, and has a fibrous root system. It is a very drought tolerant species. Used and affective in sandy soils, disrupted soils, forage production in arid locations, reclamation, and urban areas. Preferred feed for cattle, sheep, horses, and big game wildlife. Not recommended for areas with more than 14 inches of annual rainfall. Very competitive and can out-compete slower developing native species.

Vavilov Siberian Wheatgrass (Agropyron fragile) is a very drought tolerant bunchgrass similar to Standard Crested Wheatgrass but finer and more palatable. It is also more drought tolerant…it will survive in areas of 5″ annual precipitation, making it one of the very best candidates for the arid lands of the West. Siberian Wheatgrass is a “staple” species at Great Basin Seed. It is widely used and loved by those who use it.

‘Vavilov’ was developed from collections originating from the former USSR, Turkey, and from P-27 by ARS in Logan, Utah. ARS and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station released it in 1994. Seedling vigor is similar to ‘Hycrest’ and ‘Hycrest II’ crested wheatgrass and it is consistently better than ‘P-27’. It is more drought tolerant and better adapted to sandy soils than other crested wheatgrasses. It is best adapted to 8 inches and above annual precipitation and elevations below 7,000 feet. It is noted for tolerating longer drought periods once established than crested wheatgrass.

Siberian Wheatgrass is a perennial, introduced grass. It is commonly seeded in the arid sections of the Western United States. Vavilov Siberian wheatgrass is commonly recommended for forage production in arid locations. It is palatable to all classes of livestock and wildlife. It is a preferred feed for cattle, sheep, horses, and elk in spring and also in the fall if additional growth occurs from late growing season rainfall. It is considered a desirable feed for deer and antelope in spring and again in fall, if additional growth occurs. It is generally not recommended in areas with more than 14 inches of annual rainfall because better alternative forage species are available.

Siberian wheatgrass is well adapted for the stabilization of disturbed soils. It competes well with other aggressive introduced plants during the establishment period. Siberian wheatgrass is generally less desirable in mixes with native species because it is competitive and can out-compete slower developing native species.

Its drought tolerance, fibrous root system, and excellent seedling vigor make Siberian wheatgrass ideal for reclamation in areas receiving 8 inches or more annual precipitation. This grass can be used in urban areas where irrigation water is limited to provide ground cover, weed control and to stabilize ditch banks, dikes, pipelines, power lines, and roadsides. In revegitative projects, Siberian Wheatgrass has gained favor over other species of wheatgrass.

Where it is planted as a monoculture, the resulting biodiversity is lower than that found in a diverse seeded or native plant community.

Also known as Agropyron sibericum. Agropyron fragile

Table of all Crested, Desert and Siberian Wheatgrasses