The germination and viability of excreted common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) achenes
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Authors: D. C. Thill, D. L. Zamora, and D. L. Kambitsch
Date: 1986
Journal: Weed Science
Volume: 34
Number: 2
Pages: 237-241
Summary of Methods: Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) seed germination and recovery rates were examined after passing through the digestive tracts of sheep, cattle, deer, horses and Chinese pheasants in a short term pen study in Moscow, Idaho. Seeds were collected, and percent germination was determined prior to feeding trails. Fecal material was collected during each feeding trial to determine rate of recovery and viability of recovered seeds.
Article Summary / Main Points: No seeds were recovered from sheep while 5, 3, 25 and 23% were recovered from horses, deer, cattle, and Chinese pheasants respectively. Due to no seeds being recovered from sheep viable seeds were also not found in sheep feces. Seven percent of the seeds were viable after passing though cattle; only 2% were viable from deer, 3% viable from horses and 17% viable from Chinese pheasants. Differences in viability were likely due to digestive tract and mastication differences between species and conclude that only horses and cattle will contain viable common crupina seeds in their feces. Regardless of species all seeds were recovered within 5 days leading to the recommending animals to be confined for 6 days after consuming common crupina before entering an area not infested.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Seed dispersal
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: seed viability, seed germination, invasive weeds, seed consumption, digestion, multi-species grazing
Annotation: This research is very relevant to anyone who is grazing areas that are infested with the widespread common crupina.
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