Although "Agropyron desertorum" can grow in climates with a lot of rainfall, it can also grow in areas that are much drier. Plants that are grown on dry lands, however, have the risk of experiencing the agricultural problem of salinity stress. It is when there is an elevated level of solutes within the soil that inhibit the growth and metabolic capabilities of crops. Salinity stress is a problem that affects "A. desertorum" in the more semiarid parts of North America. Certain traits of "Agropyron desertorum," however, allow it to overcome the stress from salinity. For example, "A. desertorum" plants with greater root length, plumule length, seed length, and seed vigor have been found to germinate and tolerate salinity better during the seedling stage. "Agropyron desertorum" plants with these conditions can be selected for and grown within drier areas, to allow for better crop production of this crested wheatgrass.