Registration of ‘St. Bernard’, ‘Las Palomas’, and ‘Lafourche’ Smooth Cordgrass Cultivars

Numerous wetland management and restoration projects utilize smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.). Unfortunately, only one released smooth cordgrass cultivar, ‘Vermilion’, is currently available for use in these projects in Louisiana. Three improved smooth cordgrass cultivars, ‘St. Bernard’ (LA12‐101) (Reg. No. CV‐268, PI 665014), ‘Las Palomas’ (LA12‐102) (Reg. No. CV‐269, PI 665015), and ‘Lafourche’ (LA12‐103) (Reg. No. CV‐270, PI 665016), were developed from seeds collected from natural populations in Louisiana and Texas. They are improved, genetically different smooth cordgrass clonal cultivars that were evaluated and compared with Vermilion in replicated field trials for 9 yr in 11 environments. St. Bernard, Las Palomas, and Lafourche recovered more quickly after transplant and produced more viable seeds than Vermilion. The average plant vigor, plant spread, and number of stems per plot for these cultivars were equal to those of Vermilion. DNA fingerprinting data, based on 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers, indicated that St. Bernard, Las Palomas, and Lafourche are genetically different from Vermilion. St. Bernard, Las Palomas, and Lafourche are vigorous, genetically distinct smooth cordgrass cultivars with superior seed set, seed germination, and transplant recovery and therefore are recommended for saline marsh restoration projects in the northern Gulf of Mexico.