Saltgrass plant named Yensen 1

#The presently described plant is related to the grain and plants described in copending applications for plant patent filed by the present inventor entitled "Yensen 2" and "Yensen 3", assigned to the present assignee, filed concurrently herewith on Aug. 28, 1986, assigned Ser. Nos. 901,316 and 901,204, respectively.

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a plant of the family Poaceae and more particularly to a plant of the species Distichlis palmeri (Vasey) Fassett ex I. M. Johnston, commonly known as salt grass and is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant.

#The accompanying drawings comprise color photographs of my new variety of salt grass:

#FIG. 1 is a photograph of my new salt grass; and

#FIG. 2 is a photograph of the culm and caryopses of my new salt grass.

#This new variety was discovered at test plots of Salt Weeds (an Arizona partnership) in Tucson, Ariz.

#The new variety was noted in test plantings wherein approximately 100,000 seeds, seedlings and cuttings have been test planted under agricultural conditions on a total of 2.5 acres following over ten (10) years of study of salt-tolerant plants. The purpose of these large plantings was specifically to discover new varieties with crop potential and to learn their agronomic requirements. The new variety resulted from a bed seedling.

#Wild plants of Distichlis palmeri produce from near zero to four grams of grain per square meter. Yensen 1 can produce well over ten grams of grain per square meter. The optimum yields with respect to fertilizer and water levels of Yensen 1 are not known at this time.