ABSTRACT
Desert saltgrass (Distichlis spicata [L.] Greene var. stricta [Gray] Beetle) [4], a potential feed plant and turf species, grows in very poor-to fair-condition soils, in both salt-affected soils and soils under drought conditions. It grows in arid and semiarid regions. The plant is abundantly found in areas of the western parts of the United States as well as on the sea-shores of the United Arab Emirates and several other Middle Eastern countries, Africa, and South and Central American countries. Although better adapted to arid and semiarid regions, the grass is found in a wide range of climatic and geographical regions. The plant can be manipulated to increase its yield and productivity or control its growth to produce turf-type grasses. This plant has multipurpose usages. It can be substituted for animal feeds like alfalfa or can be used in soil conservation for covering
roadsides and soil surfaces in areas with high risk of soil erosion. Recently, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has shown a great deal of interest in fi nancing research work on this plant for use as turfgrass. Most of these research works have been conducted at the University of Arizona and Colorado State University. Consequently, the USGA funds for the investigations on this grass species have been allocated to these institutions.
