Thinopyrum intermedium, known commonly as intermediate wheatgrass, is a sod-forming perennial grass in the Triticeae tribe of Pooideae native to Europe and Western Asia. It is part of a group of plants commonly called wheatgrasses because of the similarity of their seed heads or ears to common wheat. However, wheatgrasses generally are perennial, while wheat is an annual. Trials with intermediate wheatgrass, the product of which is trademarked by the Land Institute as "Kernza", show that it can be grown as a "multi-functional" crop, yielding various commodities as well as ecosystem services. Whereas annuals such as corn tend to deplete soil organic matter and require inputs, a perennial grain such as intermediate wheatgrass can yield crops while building soil organic matter.
Synonyms
Scientific names Many scientific binomial names have been given to the species Thinopyrum intermedium. Multiple species or subspecies have been described based on different morphologies, like if parts of the plants are pubescent (that is, covered with "hairs") or not. Here is a partial list of the binomial synonyms for Thinopyrum intermedium:
Agropyron aucheri Agropyron ciliatiflorum Agropyron gentryi Agropyron glaucum Agropyron intermedium Agropyron podperae Agropyron pulcherrimum Agropyron trichophorum Elymus hispidus Elytrigia intermedia
Common names Intermediate wheatgrass is the most widely used common name for Thinopyrum intermedium in the United States. The name "intermediate" probably refers to the height of the plant, which is generally somewhat shorter than T. ponticum known by the common name of "tall wheatgrass". Wild triga is the common name that was given to Thinopyrum intermedium by researchers at The Rodale Institute. The name was intended to distinguish varieties of the species developed for use as a perennial grain crop from forage cultivars which are identified by the common name "intermediate wheatgrass". Kernza is a trademarked name held by the Land Institute for the processed grains of intermediate wheatgrass.
Origin and distribution The native range of intermediate wheatgrass extends from central and southeastern Europe to Asia Minor. Although it was first brought to the United States in 1907, the first successful introduction was from the Caucasus region in 1932. The plant can now be found growing wild throughout the Western United States and Western Canada. T. intermedium is best adapted to:
Regions with annual rainfall between 12 and 30 inches (30 and 76 cm) Soil with a pH between 5.6 and 8.4 Locations with full exposure to the sun A wide range of soils but with a minimum depth of 16 inches (41 cm) Locations where the minimum temperature exceeds −38 °F (−39 °C)
Seed production Although the primary use of T. intermedium is as forage, seed production is essential because farmers and ranchers continue to establish new stands by planting the seed. In 1988 over 500 metric tons (550 short tons) of seed were harvested in Saskatchewan alone, although more recently the harvest has fallen to less than 225 metric tons (248 short tons) in that Canadian province. Average seed yields are about 330 pounds per acre (370 kg/ha), but on-farm yields of up to 880 pounds per acre (990 kg/ha) have been achieved. Seed is generally produced in rows spaced 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) apart. The wide row spacing (relative to grain crops like wheat) allows for sustained seed yields for five to ten years. Without spacing and occasional tillage between the rows, yields decline rapidly as the plant population becomes increasingly dense through rhizome spread. Despite this, T. intermedium is still considered lesser than wheat by some, as its seeds are comparatively tiny.
Breeding for grain production
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