Study Finds Best Grasses for Forage Production on Saline Soils

By Scout Nelson

In North Dakota, about 13 percent of soils are saline, meaning they contain high levels of salts that affect crop production. Soil salinity is measured by electrical conductivity (EC), which tells how well soil conducts electricity due to dissolved salts. When EC values reach 4 deciSiemens per meter (dS/m) or more, soils are classified as saline. However, many crops struggle to grow at levels much lower than this, making saline soils a serious challenge for farmers.

To help find solutions, the Carrington Research Extension Center (REC), in partnership with USDA-NRCS Bismarck Plant, studied the performance of 11 cool-season grass species in saline soils near Carrington and Buchanan, North Dakota. The goal was to identify grasses that can grow well in these conditions and provide reliable forage alternatives to annual crops.

The research team harvested forage in mid-July each year to measure biomass and forage quality. Several grasses showed strong potential. Lincoln smooth bromegrass, Fleet meadow bromegrass, and Garrison creeping foxtail performed well on soils with EC levels up to 6.5–7.0 dS/m. Mandan Canada wildrye also produced good forage at around 7 dS/m. Shoshone manystem wildrye maintained high-quality yields even in soils with EC up to 10 dS/m.

Common wheatgrass types: tall, slender, and western, proved easy to establish and gave fair yields in soils with EC as high as 12 dS/m. Tall wheatgrass offered high biomass but had lower forage quality. Two standout species were AC Saltlander green wheatgrass and NewHy hybrid wheatgrass. Both maintained high-quality forage and very good biomass production even at EC levels up to 14 dS/m.

This research highlights practical options for farmers managing saline-affected soils. By planting the right grasses, farmers can make productive use of land where traditional crops fail. These grasses not only provide forage but also help protect soil health and support sustainable agriculture in North Dakota.

Photo Credit: pexels-jeffrey-czum