Registration of NFTW6001 Tall Wheatgrass Germplasm

NFTW6001 (Reg. No. GP-99; PI 676025) tall wheatgrass [Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey] germplasm, also tested under the designation Jose HDMD C2, was developed by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and released in 2014. Selections were made from 'Jose' in north Texas for persistence and digestibility, followed by a second cycle of selection in southern Oklahoma emphasizing digestibility. The heading date of NFTW6001 in Ardmore, OK, is on average 7 d earlier than Jose. Persistence was improved by selection, based on greater stands of NFTW6001 (72%) compared with Jose (17%) at Vernon, TX. Total forage yield of NFTW6001 has equaled or exceeded (up to 607 kg ha(-1)) the yield of Jose in Oklahoma. Despite its earlier maturity, digestibility and crude protein concentration of NFTW6001 in summer is equal to Jose. The digestibility and crude protein of NFTW6001 and Jose are similar in fall. NFTW6001 was released by the Noble Foundation's plant materials release committee due to its earlier maturity, improved forage yield, and persistence relative to Jose.