August 2022 Report: Kernza®

Introduction

Kernza® is a trademarked name for a perennial grain developed from intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium L.) by The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, USA. It’s part of the Institute’s broader mission to revolutionize agriculture by developing perennial crops that mimic the structure and ecological functions of natural ecosystems. Some benefits of Kernza are that it is a perennial plant, has a deep rooting system, is effective at stabilizing soil, and can provide a habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Overall, Kernza® represents an innovative approach to sustainable agriculture, offering potential solutions to environmental challenges while providing economic opportunities for farmers and food producers. As research and adoption of perennial grains like Kernza® continue to expand, they have the potential to play a significant role in building resilient and regenerative food systems for the future.

Planting Kernza® at the Landscape Lab at Exit 6 on The Ray served as a pioneering endeavor to assess its viability in the challenging conditions of a highway right-of-way (ROW). The initiative was significant because it marked the first cultivation of Kernza® in the southeastern United States and within a highway ROW. The primary objective was not agricultural production but rather to evaluate Kernza®’s potential to stabilize soil and mitigate erosion caused by stormwater runoff, leveraging its deep and fibrous root system.

The collaboration between The Ray and The Land Institute represents a convergence of shared values and visions for a more sustainable future. The Land Institute’s dedication to developing agricultural systems that mimic natural ecosystems aligns closely with The Ray’s mission to advance sustainable innovation in transportation. Kernza®, a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute, offers promising potential to contribute to both agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience along transportation corridors.

Founded in 2015, The Ray aims to transform highway transportation by prioritizing cleanliness, safety, and aesthetic appeal. Stretching along an 18-mile section of Interstate 85 from the Georgia-Alabama state line to the City of LaGrange, The Ray serves as a testing ground for innovative transportation projects. Partnering with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), The Ray has implemented numerous initiatives over the past eight years to promote smart, resilient, and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.

Through their partnership with The Land Institute, The Ray has the opportunity to explore the utilization of Kernza® and other sustainable practices to enhance the environmental performance of transportation infrastructure. By integrating Kernza® plantings and other ecological initiatives into highway landscapes, The Ray can contribute to soil stabilization, erosion control, and biodiversity conservation while also showcasing the potential for collaboration between agriculture and transportation sectors in achieving shared sustainability goals.

Overall, the collaboration between The Ray and The Land Institute exemplifies the power of cross-sector partnerships in driving innovation and advancing sustainability across interconnected systems. By leveraging the expertise and resources of both organizations, they can work towards a future where transportation infrastructure not only meets the needs of society but also harmonizes with and enhances the natural environment.

Materials and Methods

Field experiments were conducted in the Fall of 2017 at Exit 6 along I-85 in West Point, GA. Kernza seeds were sowed in 30’ x 30’ plots per The Land Following protocols established by The Land Institute, the research team sowed Kernza® seeds in a 30′ by 30′ plot in the autumn of 2017. While successful germination was observed, subsequent growing seasons presented challenges. In 2018, despite robust growth during the wet and mild spring, the plants experienced dieback due to intense summer heat, uncommon for Kernza® accustomed to colder climates.

The uncertainty continued into the 2019 growing season, with Kernza® regrowing but again succumbing to summer heat. Challenges persisted in 2020, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered effective weeding and led to increased weed competition. Though the plants managed to regrow, their vigor and stature were reduced compared to previous years.

In 2021, Kernza® once again showed resilience, but growth levels did not reach those of earlier seasons. Despite these challenges, the project provided valuable insights into Kernza®’s adaptability to southeastern conditions and its potential role in erosion control along highways. Continued research and adaptation of management practices may further unlock the benefits of Kernza® in this unique context.

Given that the cultivation of Kernza® at The Ray did not have an agricultural focus, the research team conducted a trial to determine whether Kernza® could establish and flourish without regular weeding or maintenance. This led to the development of the Kernza® 2.0 trial, which aimed to test the plant’s establishment using tighter rows and a cover crop consisting of alfalfa, as well as broadcast seeding a cover crop of clover. Although the Kernza® seeds did germinate and initiate growth in the Kernza® 2.0 trial, they failed to mature. The research team suspected that this outcome was likely due to prevalent weed competition typically encountered within the highway right-of-way. The subsequent sections provide a comprehensive summary of each phase of the Kernza® project, including the goals, scope, timeline, and monitoring observations.

The Kernza® project at The Ray encompassed multiple phases, each aimed at assessing the plant’s establishment and growth in a highway right-of-way (ROW) context. Here’s a breakdown of each phase:

1. Initial Kernza® Planting (2017):

• Goal: Evaluate Kernza®’s potential to stabilize soil and mitigate erosion in a highway ROW.
• Scope: Plant Kernza® seeds in a 30′ by 30′ plot following protocols established by The Land Institute.
• Timeline: Autumn 2017.
• Observations: Successful germination observed, but subsequent summers posed challenges due to intense heat.

2. Kernza® 2.0 Trial (Ongoing):

• Goal: Test Kernza®’s establishment with minimal maintenance, utilizing tighter rows and cover crops of alfalfa and clover.
• Scope: Implement tighter row spacing and introduce cover crops to reduce weed competition.
• Timeline: Ongoing.
• Observations: Kernza® seeds germinated and initiated growth, but failed to mature, likely due to prevalent weed competition in the highway ROW.

3. Monitoring and Assessment:

• Goal: Gather data on Kernza®’s growth, vitality, and response to environmental conditions.
• Scope: Regularly monitor the Kernza® plots for plant health, growth patterns, and any signs of stress or pest infestation.
• Timeline: Continuous throughout the project.
• Observations: Variations in growth and vitality observed across different growing seasons, influenced by factors such as weather conditions and weed competition.

4. Analysis and Adaptation

• Goal: Analyze monitoring data to identify factors influencing Kernza®’s establishment and growth.
• Scope: Assess the effectiveness of different planting techniques and maintenance practices.
• Timeline: Ongoing, with periodic reviews and adjustments based on monitoring observations.
• Observations: Insights gained into the challenges and opportunities associated with cultivating Kernza® in a highway ROW context, guiding future research and management strategies.

Overall, the Kernza® project at The Ray represents an innovative effort to explore the potential of this perennial grain crop for soil stabilization and erosion control in transportation corridors. Despite initial challenges, ongoing research and adaptation of management practices will contribute to a deeper understanding of Kernza®’s suitability and resilience in this unique environment.

Project Goal

The initial objective behind planting Kernza® at the Landscape Lab at Exit 6 was to determine its survival capabilities. Kernza®, an intermediate wheatgrass species native to Europe and Asia, has been widely used for erosion control in western North America. It thrives in colder climates and requires a vernalization period to produce viable seed. While the production of grain is not the primary goal for Kernza® at The Ray, it serves as an indicator of the plant’s health.

The planting of Kernza® holds several unique distinctions. It marks the first time Kernza® has been introduced in an interstate right-of-way, the southernmost trial location in the United States, and the first planting in the southeastern region. These factors contribute to the innovative nature of the project and the potential for valuable insights into the adaptability and performance of Kernza® in new environments.

Scope and Timeline

To accommodate Kernza’s specific growing cycle, the planting process was divided into two phases: Kernza® 1.0 and Kernza® 2.0. The chosen site for the project was a small area located in the southeast quadrant of the diamond interchange at Exit 6. This particular area was selected for its favorable characteristics, including an open landscape, level terrain, and gentle slopes. Kernza® 1.0 was planted in October 2017, while Kernza® 2.0 followed in January 2021.

Kernza® 1.0 / 2017-2018

Soil Preparation and Planting

In October 2017, the initial planting of Kernza® wheatgrass took place on The Ray Highway. Before sowing the seeds, the designated area underwent a series of preparations which included the application of Roundup® herbicide to control weeds, and was followed by tilling the soil. Additionally, a layer of compost was spread over the site to enhance soil quality and improve moisture retention. However, on the day of planting, it was discovered that the compost layer needed adjustments. It was determined to be excessively deep, exceeding six inches in most parts of the site. The compost also contained large hardwood wood chips that were more suitable for mulching around newly planted trees rather than for seed planting purposes. Consequently, the excess compost layer was removed from the site.

A small plot measuring 30’ x 30’ was carefully divided into 19 rows, with each row spaced approximately 18 inches apart. To ensure proper seed placement, a string line was used to create a small ditch along each row. The seeds were then planted into these ditches and manually covered by hand, ensuring they were adequately positioned for growth.

 

Monitoring and Observations

In January, February, and December 2017, as well as March 2018, a team of researchers revisited the plot to document observations. They diligently performed monthly weeding between the rows using a wheel hoe. The plot was left unattended from April to August. During this period, both the weeds and grass between the rows experienced substantial growth, while the Kernza® turned brown and entered a dormant state due to the intense summer heat. To conclude the year, the site was mowed as part of the final mowing cycle in October 2018.

First Season Results

The initial growing season of Kernza® at The Ray was successful in that germination of seeds occurred in all 19 rows of the plot. However, some localized areas experienced poor growth, which can be attributed to water ponding that occurred during the winter and early spring months. This water ponding was linked to the site’s slope and the presence of a large mulch berm along the Northeast side of the plot, which was formed during the planting process in October 2017.

Kernza 1.0 / 2019

Throughout 2019, the research team monitored the plot on a monthly basis and performed regular weed maintenance between the rows. The trial plot grew successfully, with the plants exhibiting greater strength and vitality during the second growing season of the trial.

During the 2019 growing season, Kernza® exhibited spread and growth between the rows. This development was likely attributed to two possibilities. It was possible that some of the seeds from the first growing season had naturally dispersed, germinated, and established new growth. Alternatively, the enhanced growth could be attributed to the rhizomatous growth of young plants originating from the initial planting. Both explanations were considered as potential factors contributing to the increased presence and expansion of Kernza in the trial plot.

Initially, the seed heads showed promising growth during the 2019 season. However, at the seeds’ harvest, it was observed that either the seed was not yet fully mature or its growth had significantly declined. As a result, no seed was harvested from the crop that year.

Kernza 1.0 / 2020

Monitoring Observations

The Kernza® trial plot was assessed in January, February, and March of 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent check-ups were delayed until May. During this time, the individual Kernza® plants had grown so densely that the wheel hoe became obscured and no longer visible. The plants were closely packed together, making it challenging to weed the entire plot. Consequently, only the first six rows of the plot could be weeded in 2020.

 Kernza 1.0 / 2021

Monitoring Observations

In 2021, the entire site was left untended, allowing the challenges of competing weed pressure to persist without intervention. The Kernza® seeds were once again not suitable for harvesting. The presence of increased weed pressure indicated that the Kernza® was not growing as it did in 2020. In 2022, the research team sought assistance from Dr. Kruse of the Landscape Institute to address these issues. Dr. Kruse had encountered similar challenges with Kernza at the Institute in Kansas and recommended applying compost or fertilizer between the rows in the 1.0 planting as a potential solution.

 Summary and Discussion from Kernza 1.0

Further monitoring during additional growing seasons will be required to assess if Kernza® can survive without the need for weeding intervention. While there are healthy individual plants present in all 19 rows, the overall health of the site is compromised. This issue has persisted since the initial planting, with only around 50% of the site and two corners displaying positive growth due to challenges related to slope and water drainage.

During the Kernza® 1.0 phase, the research team discovered that Kernza® enters a dormant state in response to the intense summer heat in Georgia, leading the plants to die back to the ground each season. Consequently, seed harvesting was not successful. However, the primary objective of growing Kernza® at Exit 6 was not grain production but rather to evaluate its capacity for carbon sequestration and soil stabilization.

Kernza® 2.0 / 2021

Soil Preparation and Planting

Following the three growing seasons of Kernza 1.0, Dr. Timothy Crews from The Land Institute was contacted to explore the possibility of conducting a second phase of the Kernza trial. The goal of Kernza 2.0 would be to more effectively align with the objectives of plantings in the right-of-way, which emphasized non-agricultural focus and minimized the need for regular weeding and maintenance.

Collaboratively, the research team and Dr. Crews recognized that adopting a different planting approach could enhance the vitality of the current plantings in the right-of-way. By implementing tighter rows and incorporating cover crops, the intention was to provide the slow-growing Kernza® with the opportunity to germinate and thrive amidst the challenging weed conditions prevalent in the right-of-way. This new planting method aimed to enhance the survival and growth of Kernza® while reducing the need for ongoing weed management.

The team proposed two different plantings for Kernza® 2.0. The first plot involved tighter spacing, with 12-inch intervals alternating between Kernza® and alfalfa plantings. The second 

plot utilized broadcast seeding of Kernza® in combination with a cover crop of clover. Four different seed rates were calculated, ranging from 10 pounds per acre to 40 pounds per acre.

However, fall 2020 soil preparation for the first Kernza® 2.0 planting was delayed to February 2021. Unfortunately, this late planting did not provide sufficient vernalization for the seeds and the intense weed pressure during the spring of 2021 proved to be overwhelming. While germination was successful, the initial 2.0 trial did not yield the desired results. By July 2021, both plots were overrun with weeds.

 

Kernza 2.0 / 2022 Monitoring Observations

Kernza 2.0 was planted in December 2021.

Summary and Discussion

The Kernza® project at The Ray was considered successful in many aspects. It demonstrated that Kernza® has the ability to grow in the highway’s right-of-way, despite being outside its ideal cool-season grass climate. However, the warm temperatures in the ROW present challenges to its vernalization requirements, affecting seed production. While seed production is not a primary objective of the project at The Ray, other factors such as weed pressure, soil compaction, and nutrient deficiency also hinder Kernza® ability to thrive in this environment.

The first two years of the project revealed that regular weeding is necessary for Kernza® to flourish in the ROW. This highlighted the plant’s capability to establish itself from seed and potentially thrive in this setting, but it requires ongoing maintenance and weeding to overcome competition from stronger non-native plants. The depth of the current plants’ root systems in the trial plot at The Ray remains uncertain compared to other published Kernza® plantings. However, given that the plants on The Ray Highway die back each season, it is unlikely that they develop deep root systems in this particular location.Kernza® can grow in the highway right-of-way, but the plant is better suited for cooler climates where it will not die back during the summer season.