The Rose Lake Plant Materials Center is involved in the
following studies and activities to address the above resource issues. For more information on these
studies please contact the PMC at (517) 641-6300.
| Study Number |
Study Name |
Description |
Duration |
| 26C123Z |
Sweetgrass |
Develop best management practices for improving American Indian tribal stands of a
culturally significant species |
1995-2002 |
| 26C126V |
Vegetative Barriers |
Evaluate the effectiveness of various herbaceous plant material for use as vegetative
hedges in cropland where water flow has concentrated. |
1996-2007 |
| 26I080J |
Desmodium |
Develop superior Desmodium spp. for use in wildlife food plots |
1987-2006 |
| 26I124L |
Elderberry |
Develop locally-adapted ecotypes of elderberry species for use in streambank
stabilization and riparian corridor restoration |
1997-2005 |
| MI9701s |
Switchgrass for Biofuels 1 |
Evaluate various switchgrass varieties/accessions for biofuel potential |
1997-2002 |
| MIPMC-P-0001-CR |
Canada Wildrye - Great Lakes Composite |
Develop Great Lakes states composite of Canada Wildrye for use as conservation
cover and streambank protection |
2000-2006 |
| MIPMC-P-0201-CR |
Development of a Great Lakes Release of Virginia Wildrye |
To release a superior Great Lakes Virginia wildrye. |
2002-2005 |
| MIPMC-P-0204-CR |
Development of a Great lakes Release of Bottlebrush Grass |
Selection and release of a superior accession of Great Lakes Bottlebrush grass |
2002-2005 |
| MIPMC-P-0207 |
Evaluation and Release of Riverbank Wildrye |
To release riverbank wildrye to commercial growers. |
2002-2004 |
| MIPMC-P-0207-CR |
Evaluation and Release of Riverbank Wildrye |
To release riverbank wildrye to commercial growers. |
2002-2004 |
| MIPMC-P-0208-CR |
Evaluation and Release of Miscanthus grass |
To Release a Miscanthus grass that will have no danger of becoming an invasive
species. Allowing the utilization of the National Vegetative Barrier Standard in the Great Lakes
| 2002-2005 |
| MIPMC-P-0501-WL |
Evaluation and Release of Prairie Crabapple (Malus coronaria and Malus ioensis) |
Collections of two Malus species (coronaria and ioensis) will be made from the Rose
Lake PMC service area. Collections will be in the form of seeds and scionwood cuttings. Seed and
scionwood cuttings from a germplasm repository in New York will also be used in the evaluations.
Seeds will be processed and planted at the Rose Lake PMC. Cuttings will be grafted to available
rootstocks at the Indiana Division of Forestry Vallonia Nursery in Vallonia, IN. Seedlings and vegetative
propagules will be evaluated for growth/vigor, disease and insect susceptibility, and fruit production
ability. Seedlings will also be evaluated for root suckering. |
2005-2010 |
| MIPMC-P-0503-WL |
Evaluation of Great Lakes Release of American Plum (Prunus americana Marsh.) |
Seed collections will be made for potential release contingent upon evaluations for
survival, growth rate, fruit production, and susceptibility to insects and diseases. |
2006-2010 |
| MIPMC-P-0504-WE |
Development of a Great Lakes Release of Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis
| To collect seeds and release contingent upon evaluations for survival, vigor, disease
and insect damage, height, lodging, seed production, and germination. |
2006-2010 |
| MIPMC-P-0601-CR |
Evaluation and Release of Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus L.) |
To collect, assemble, evaluate, select, and release broomsedge bluestem for wildlife,
ornamental, and conservation purposes. |
2006-2011 |
| MIPMC-P-0602-CR |
Evaluation and Release of Poverty Oatgrass |
Evaluate and release poverty oatgrass. |
2006-2011 |
| MIPMC-P-0603-WE |
Evaluation and Release of Canada Bluejoint |
Evaluate and release Canada bluejoint |
2006-2011 |
| MIPMC-P-0706-WL |
Evaluation and Release of Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) |
To select and release native coralberry. |
2007-2012 |
| MIPMC-P-0901-WO |
Ginger (Asarum L.) evaluation and potential release |
Bay Mills Indian Community considers ginger to have cultural significance and has
requested assistance with evaluation and selection. Other possible applications include conservation
cover, invasive species control, and tree/shrub establishment. |
2009-2014 |
| MIPMC-P-0906-PA |
Selection and evaluation of improved big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) for use as
forage for livestock |
Five parent lines of big bluestem that have high forage yield and forage quality were
allowed to cross pollinate and the resulting progeny will be subjected to selection and forage quality
evaluations. The resulting population will be the seed used to establish a production field of a forage
quality big bluestem release through the NRCS Plant Materials Program. |
2008-2012 |
| MIPMC-P-0907-RI |
Selection and release of northern honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) |
Develop techniques for propagating and establishing northern honeysuckle. Receive
collections of northern honeysuckle from the Great Lakes Region and evaluate for growth,
reproduction, vegetative spread, and pest resistance. Select best populations for release. |
2009-2017 |
| MIPMC-P-0910-PA |
Yellow alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. falcata) release |
Yellow alfalfa (AKA yellow-flowered alfalfa) is a subspecies of alfalfa (Medicago sativa).
It has been grown in the United States since the early 1900s. Yellow alfalfa flowers for a longer
duration in the growing season than does purple flowered alfalfa and can be used as a forage crop,
similar to how purple flowered alfalfa is used. The objective of this study is to evaluate a selection of
yellow flowered alfalfa for use in conservation practices, produce foundation seed of this selection, and
co-release this selection in cooperation with Michigan State University. |
2009-2014 |
| MIPMC-P-0911-WO |
Woodland bluegrass (Poa sylvestris) evaluation and release |
NRCS has received several inquiries about the use of cool season grasses in shaded
and wooded areas. Woodland bluegrass (Poa sylvestris) is found in wooded and shady areas across
the Rose Lake PMC service area. The objective of this study is to collect, evaluate, and release a
selection of woodland bluegrass. |
2009-2014 |
| MIPMC-T-0004-CR |
Apostle Island -Raspberry and Outer Islands Agreement No. IA6140-A-0007 |
Produce plants to stabilize slopes, prevent erosion, preserve the plant resources and
revegetate park lands |
2000-2004 |
| MIPMC-T0203-RE |
Keweenaw Bay Sand Point |
Compare capped and uncapped stamp sand soil form the Keweenaw Bay area with
typical potting sand to determine inherent problems with the industrial sand. Data to be used in future
restoration efforts. |
2002-2002 |
| MIPMC-T-03-01-W |
Direct Seeding Tree and Shrub Establishment |
Direct seeding of hardwoods as an effective alternative to planting hardwood tree
seedlings in Michigan. Information is available on the establishment of hardwood stands through direct
seeding in other states, however, there appears to be little current research and written information
specific to Michigan. Information on what pre and post seeding herbicides to use, planting methods
(I.e. Drilling verses Broadcasting) equipment to use, timing and rates of seeding, pest control
measures and optimum soil and fertility requirement for converting existing farm field to hardwoods by
direct seeding is needed. Also needed is similar information for carrying out direct seeding into existing
low-density hardwood stands to improve forest compostion for timber and/or diversity for wildlife
purposes. Information on the best method (s) for direct seeding into recently harvested stands where
natural regeneration cannot be relied on for restocking the desired species is also needed. |
2003-2008 |
| MIPMC-T-0303-PA |
Eastern Gamagrass Production Evaluation |
To evaluate the effect of row spacing and forage harvest height (simulated grazing) on
forage quality and stand persistence of gamagrass. |
2003-2005 |
| MIPMC-T-0402-WO |
Direct Seeding of Northern Red Oak |
Determine effectiveness of direct seeding northern red oak acorns compared to
transplanting bare root stock |
2004-2007 |
| MIPMC-T-0701-TE |
National Ash Seed Collection Initiative |
To collect and store small amounts of ash (Fraxinus) seeds for future genetic research.
Ash is being threatened by the emerald ash borer. The NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center has
entered into an agreement (#40927) with the Agricultural Research Service National Center for
Genetic Resource Preservation. |
2007-2017 |
| MIPMC-T-0702-RI |
Shrub Rooting Study |
To demonstrate the growth and rooting ability under uniform conditions of species
used for stream bank restoration and bioengineering. |
2007-2007 |
| MIPMC-T-0703-NA |
Frost Seeding Little Bluestem (Schizechyrium scoparium) |
To investigate frost seeding method for establishing little bluestem. |
2007-2010 |
| MIPMC-T-0704-CP |
Cross Pollination of Potential PMC Miscanthus Grass |
To investigate cross pollination and seed production of potential miscanthus grass
release. Seed production is not desirable in this potentially invasive species. |
2007-2009 |
| MIPMC-T-0705-CR |
Conservation Field Trials for MIPMC Grass Releases |
To collect establishment, survival, and conservation planting effectiveness data on Icy
Blue germplasm Canada wildrye, riverbank wildrye, and Koch germplasm prairie sandreed at field trial
locations in IN, MI, OH, and WI. |
2007-2010 |
| MIPMC-T-0707-PA |
Eastern Gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] for Forage Production |
To evaluate gamagrass for stand survival, winter hardiness, palatability, and forage
quality under prescribed grazing. |
2007-2012 |
| MIPMC-T-0708-PA |
Creeping Meadow Foxtail (Alopercurus arundinaceus Pois.) in Combination with
Legumes for Forage Production |
To evaluate creeping meadow foxtail for forage. |
2007-2012 |
| MIPMC-T-0709-CP |
Tall wheatgrass biofeedstock for potential use in biofuel (liquid, thermal, and
thermochemical) applications in NE, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwestern states |
To evaluate tall wheatgrass accessions for biofuel potential |
2007-2009 |
| MIPMC-T-0801-WE |
Evaluation of Species for Use in Vegetative Treatment Areas as a Component of
Residential Sewage Treatment Systems |
1. review applicable NRCS Practice Standards and Specifications for wetland and/or
vegetative treatment area construction in Ohio and other Great Lakes states
2. consult with Technical Support Disciplines personnel and others and to visit sites where similar
technology has been attempted or employed and to visit proposed site in Logan County, Ohio
3. review rules and regulations for residential sewage treatment in Ohio and other Great Lakes states
4. develop selection and evaluation criteria for plants to be used in vegetative treatment areas
5. establish selected plants at vegetative treatment area site in Logan County, Ohio
| 2008-2013 |
| MIPMC-T-0802-WI |
Demonstration planting of selected plants for use by native pollinators |
Observe use of native plants by insects for purposes of developing guidelines for
optimization of beneficial and pollinator insect populations. |
2008-2012 |
| MIPMC-T-0902-CR |
Daylily (Hemerocallis L.) for road cut stabilization |
Daylily’s growth, development, and position on the landscape near the Rose Lake PMC
suggest its possible utilization for soil erosion control, water quality improvement, pollinator habitat
enhancement, and aesthetics. Proposed study will evaluate such and develop and assess techniques
for successful use and management. |
2009-2014 |
| MIPMC-T-0904-NU |
Plant-based solutions for silage leachate issues |
Silage leachate issues are becoming increasingly prevalent as animals and their feed
sources are concentrated in CAFOs. |
2009-2014 |
| MIPMC-T-0908-CP |
Adaptability of ‘Tropic Sun’ Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) |
This study attempts to determine the areas of the country with the potential to use
sunn hemp for green manure and cover crops. |
2009-2009 |
| MIPMC-T-0909-WE |
Evaluation of Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Bosc ex Link) Survival When
Established Adjacent to Established Populations of Reed Canarygrass |
Monotypic reed canarygrass stands offer marginal wildlife habitat. When wetland
restoration or enhancement practices are installed in or adjacent to reed canarygrass stands
Conservation Cover plantings are typically overrun by reed canarygrass in a few years. |
2009-2012 |
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