Recovery of leafy spurge seed from sheep
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Authors: B. E. Olson, R. T. Wallander, and R. W. Kott
Date: 1997
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 50
Number: 1
Pages: 10-15
Summary of Methods: The spread of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) seeds though the wool and feces of sheep was measured in southwestern Montana (45° 40' N; 111° 33' W) during the summers of 1993 and 1994. Yearling lambs were grazed at 4 AU/2.4 ha which is the equivalent of a light grazing intensity from late May to mid-August. Wool was collected following grazing in 1993 and tested for leafy spurge seeds. Density of leafy spurge seeds and capsules were estimated in each paddock before grazing began. Fresh fecal material was collected on days 4, 10 and 14 after sheep grazed a paddock and the number of capsules and seeds were counted. Seeds were also tested for viability.
Article Summary / Main Points: • Leafy spurge seeds averaged 38.7 seeds per fleece, thus it was concluded that seeds will stick to the fleece, but unlikely fall out due to the properties of fleece. • Sheep will consume and pass viable seeds; however seeds collected from the fecal material, almost always, had a lower level of viability than seeds collected from the field. • Viable seeds will pass through these animals and spread the weed, this leading to recommending to dry lot sheep for at least five days after grazing leafy spurge to reduce the potential of weed seed spread.
Vegetation Types: Intermountain Grasslands (includes Palouse Prairie and Canyon Grasslands)
MLRA Ecoregions: 44B Central Rocky Mountain Valleys
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Grazing Seed dispersal
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: weeds, feces, fleece, seed dispersal, euphorbia esula, weed spread, targeted grazing
Annotation: This is relevant research examining the potential of increase weed spread due when using sheep as a potential biological control mechanism for leafy spurge.
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