Tetracan, a recently released tetraploid cultivar of Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski), has larger seed mass and better emergence from seeding depth than diploid cultivars. The objective of this research was to compare the seedling growth of Russian wildrye with crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schultes), Nordan and second to compare Tetracan Russian wildrye with two diploid Russian wildrye cultivars, Mayak and Swift. Seedlings were destructively harvested at 28, 42, 56, and 70 d after planting (DAP) in the greenhouse. Crested wheatgrass had greater seedling biomass in shoot and root, higher tiller number, and a more efficient root system than the Russian wildrye. Tetracan had fewer, larger tillers with larger leaves and greater root length than the two diploid cultivars. These results document that the tetraploid cultivar Tetracan has a different pattern of tiller initiation and growth than the diploid cultivars. Seedling growth rate and biomass yield (seedling vigor) of tetraploid Russian wildrye could be improved through polyploidization with high tillering diploid breeding lines as parents and selection for large tiller size (similar to Tetracan) while maintaining high tillering capacity. Key words: Specific root length, leaf area, tillering, carbon allocation