Festuca hallii (vasey) piper (plains rough fescue) and Festuca campestris Rydb (foothills rough fescue) response to seed mix diversity and mycorrhizae

Rough fescue (Festuca hallii (Vasey) Piper (plains rough fescue) and Festuca campestris Rydb (foothills rough fescue) are long lived perennials that have been difficult to establish on disturbed sites. This research assessed the impact of seed mix diversity and suppression of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on fescue establishment. Three research sites were examined in each of the northern fescue and foothills fescue subregions. Fescue seeded alone, a mix of fescue and closely associated species and fescue with a cover crop of Elymus dahuricus (dahurian wild rye) were seeded and compared. Mycorrhizae impact was assessed by comparing plots treated with a fungicide (Rovral) to controls. Rough fescue was able to establish by seeding in the field. Fescue monocultures had better fescue establishment than mixes. Elymus dahuricus was not a successful cover crop for Festuca hallii and was marginal for Festuca campestris. Fungicide application did not have any impact on fescue establishment.