Seed recovery and germination of reseeded species fed to cattle
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Authors: K. M. Doucette, K. M. Wittenberg, and W. P. McCaughey
Date: 2001
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 54
Number: 5
Pages: 575-581
Summary of Methods: Doucette et al measured the effects of cattle digestion on the viability of 7 plant species to determine if cattle could be used as rangeland seed dispersal agents for these species. Seed characteristics (weight, size, smoothness, hardness) varied by species, and therefore, effects of digestion also varied by species. This included decreased viability, physical damage, and different passage rates. Woods rose (Rosa woodsii) and snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) had the greatest recovery of viable seeds due to their increased seed hardness, size, and weight while western wheatgrass (Pascopyrom smithii) had very low recovery due to it's reduced weight and long residence time in the rumen. The results of this study indicate that cattle reseeding could potentially be used with some native rangeland species while it is inappropriate for others. However, it is also important to remember that this study did not investigate the rate of seed germination after cattle passage in the field, which is dependent on several environmental factors that require further research.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: seed dispersal, cattle digestion, passage, dissemination, seed survival, seed viability, revegetation
Annotation: Seeds of 7 plant species were fed to cattle and feces were collected for the following 7 days. Grazing intensity is not specified. Season of use is not specified.
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