Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native warm-season grass where weed control during establishment is a limiting factor for stand. Objectives of this research are to develop a herbicide resistant cultivar and to test a variety of seed safeners to improve first year growth. Phenotypic recurrent selection (PRS) was used to select ‘Alamo’ switchgrass seedlings that showed resistance to imazapic herbicide at 245 g a.i./ha. Initial screenings of 364, 650 seedlings resulted in 63 survivors, a selection intensity of 0.0172%. Subsequent testing of the next generation of seedlings indicated that multiple generations of selection were needed in order to transfer greater resistance to the offspring. Seed safener testing consisted of three trials. Field data taken included emergence counts, weed control ratings, and end of season harvest. Results showed fluxofenin (a.i. in Concep III) as being only safener providing protection against metolachlor (83.7% a.i.).