Abstract:Tall wheatgrass (Elytrigia elongata) is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass with high productivity and tolerance to salt and alkali, waterlogging, and drought. Since first introduced into China in 1950s, tall wheatgrass has long been used as a wild parent for distant hybridization with wheat (Triticum aestivum). During 1980s-1990s, a few tall wheatgrass varieties were introduced to China as forage grass, nonetheless, currently they are still not widely cultivated and no variety was certificated. In 2020, Zhensheng Li put forward a proposal to construct “Coastal Grass Belt” on saline and alkaline soils in the Circum-Bohai sea region, which provides an opportunity for the industrialization of tall wheatgrass in China. This paper introduces the background, main characteristics, history and status of tall wheatgrass and put forward suggestions for industrialization of tall wheatgrass in China. In order to promote utilization of tall wheatgrass in China, the authors suggested constructing demonstration models of “Coastal Grass Belt” and demonstration farms for livestock in the “Coastal Grass Belt” targeted area. Leading companies should be fostered to form a complete industrial chain of “leading companies + professional cooperatives/large growers”. In addition, basic research, breeding, and seed industrialization should be carried out and accelerated. Meantime, policy and funds from government's support should also be considered. “Coastal Grass Belt” can not only solve the shortage of high-quality forage grass in China, but also establish ecological barrier and protect the ecological environment.