Nutritional and seed responses of forage kochia to ruminal incubation
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Authors: C. S. Schauer, D. W. Bohnert, M. F. Carpinelli, and S. J. Falck
Date: 2004
Journal: Rangelands
Volume: 26
Number: 1
Pages: 8-11
Summary of Methods: A two year study in southeastern Oregon, forage kochia and seeds were clipped, ground and place in the rumens of cannulated steers for 0, 2, 8 12, 24, and 48 hours and tested for forage quality. Fresh forage kochia was placed in five other ruminally cannulated steers for 0, 48, and 96 hours to test seed viability and mean germination time.
Article Summary / Main Points: Crude protein was lower in forage kochia than actively growing cool-season grasses, thus suggesting that forage kochia could function as a complimentary forage when other forages are dormant. Seeds had a 0% germination rate after placement in the rumen for 48 and 96 hours compared to 95% germination rate of control seeds. The authors concluded that forage kochia can be seeded to assist in a winter feeding plan in the Intermountain West without fear of this weed invading native rangelands from feces deposits.
Vegetation Types: Not Applicable
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Feed crops
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: rumen digestibility, weed management, seed germination, seed viability, weed invasion, grazing management
Annotation: Though this is a very small study the results are promising. The location of this study does not limit its applicability across a wide variety of vegetation types searching for additional winter forage sources.
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