Description:
Little blustem collections were made by USDA SCS personnel from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota in 1979. More than 7000 plants were evaluated in a spaced plant nursery from 1980-83. From this population, a group of short, early maturing plants were selected in 1985 and established in a replicated crossing block. A total of 27 accessions from 22 counties were selected from plants that were 25% or more below the nursery average in height, and which also rated good for disease resistance, vigor and seed production. This composite of 27 accessions was established in an isolated location east of Bismarck. Seed was harvested in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Severe drought in the late 1980's caused significant plant loss, so the planting was removed in 1991.