Seedling Morphology and Seeding Failures with Blue Grama

Morphological differences between seedlings of blue grama and crested wheatgrass show why plantings of blue grama fail while those of crested wheatgrass succeed. When both species are planted at a depth of 18 mm, crested wheatgrass initiates adventitious roots at the depth of planting and blue grama initiates adventitious roots at an average of only 2 mm below the soil surface. Adventitious roots of blue grama usually die in the harsh environment at this shallow depth.