RSS 1.0Journal of Range Management, Volume 37, Number 3 (May 1984)
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Print ISSN: 0022-409x
Online ISSN: 1550-7424
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Recent Submissions
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Journal of Range Management, Volume 37, Number 3 (May 1984)Society for Range Management, 1984-05-01
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Vegetation Change after 13 Years of Live-Stock Grazing Exclusion on Sagebrush Semidesert in West Central UtahRange managers often assume that release of vegetation from livestock grazing pressure will automatically result in a trend toward the pristine condition. The pathways and time scales for recovery are also sometimes assumed to be the same as for retrogression. These assumptions were examined via monitoring of plant community composition and forage production in five large paddocks of sagebrush semi-desert vegetation in west central Utah over a 13-year interval. No significant increases in native perennial grasses were noted over this period despite a trend toward more favorable precipitation in recent years. Thus, the present brush-dominated plant community is probably successionally stable. A return to vegetation similar to the original sagebrush-native grass mixture is unlikely. The possibility of a successional deflection via fire is enhanced by the increase of annual grass. Improvement of forage production in this vegetation will not necessarily follow after livestock exclusion. Direction manipulations are mandatory if rapid returns to perennial grass dominants are desired in such environments.
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Threshing Damage to Radicle Apex Affects Geotropic Response of WinterfatThe acute end of a winterfat [Eurotia lanata (Pursh) Moq.; Ceratoides 1. (Pursh) J.T. Howell] seed is formed by the apex of the radicle and of the cotyledons. It is postulated that this shape makes the embryo root cap especially susceptible to damage during threshing and that such damage is the cause of a high percentage of threshed germinated seed (germinant) lacking positive geotropism. This study consisted of examining germination behavior and post germination anatomy of the root apex of germinants with and without positive geotropism. The radicle apex was found to be damaged in 25% of the threshed seed. Eighty-five percent of the germinants from undamaged seed had positive geotropism as compared to 53% from the damaged seed. The latter had a range of anatomical aberrations in which the root cap was missing or seriously abnormal. It is concluded that the standard method of hammer mill threshing of winterfat fruits results in 25% of the seed sustaining damage to the radicle apex. This damage causes a loss of root cap functions, particularly the sensing of gravity. It is recommended that plantings be made by broadcasting whole fruits, rather than by drilling threshed seed.
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Temperature Profiles for Germination of Two Species of WinterfatGermination of seeds of winterfat [Ceratoides lanata (Pursh) Howell] and Eurasian winterfat [C. latens (J.F. Gnel.) Reveal and Holmgren] was compared at 55 constant and alternating temperatures. The seeds of both species germinated at a wide range of temperatures. Optimum germination (defined as not lower than the maximum and its 0.01 probability confidence interval) occurred most frequently at 0, 2, and 5 degrees C cold period temperatures alternating with 15 and 20 degrees C. Optimum temperature regimes tended to be slightly warmer for seeds of Eurasian winterfat. There were large year-to-year differences in the quality of Eurasian winterfat seeds. Three sources of winterfat purchased from commercial seed dealers had low to very low germinability. Seeds of the Hatch selection of winterfat that we tested had a germination response equal to or better than the commercial sources of winterfat seeds.
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Summer Diets of Bison and Cattle in Southern UtahDiets of bison (Bison bison) and cattle (Bos taurus) were evaluated in a shrub-steppe plant community in the Henry Mountains, Utah. Bison feces comprised 99% grasses and sedges and 1% forbs. Cattle feces also were primarily grasses and sedges (95%), but in addition included significantly more forbs (5%) than did bison feces.
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Stand Establishment: The Role of Seedling Size and Winter Injury in Early Growth of Three Perennial Grass SpeciesWinter damage and the subsequent number of viable leaves at the beginning of growth in spring were highly correlated with spring and fall seedling growth in crested wheatgrass, Russian wild ryegrass, and pubescent wheatgrass. As spring leaf numbers on individual plants increased from one to four, there was a corresponding increase in subsequent growth. As winter injury increased, seedling growth was reduced. These results suggest that late-summer seeding in the Northern Great Plains would hasten stand establishment and reduce the length of grazing deferment on newly seeded stands.
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Soil-Plant Factors in Early Browning of Russian Wildrye on Natrustoll SoilsThe occurrence of early browning in selected areas of a 1979-established Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus Fisch.) plot led to a comparison of soil-plant-water relationships in the brown senescing areas, and in adjacent green healthy areas. Although the green areas exhibited better nutrient status and less salinity-sodicity associated problems than the brown areas, the main problem and cause for this premature browning appeared to be water related.
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Shade Tolerance of Grass and Legume Germplasm for Use in the Southern Forest RangeA series of experiments was conducted during 1978, 1979, and 1980 to screen selected cultivars of grasses and legumes for their adaptation and performance under a multiple harvest system in a shaded environment. Acceptable stands of all species except Uniola sessiliflora Michx. were obtained under each shade treatment. The most shade tolerant species were 'Nangeela' subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium Lam.), Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.). Shade reduced the height of species with an upright growth habit while decumbent type species (subclover) showed less reduction. Nitrogen content was not affected by shade while potassium and phosphorus levels increased for all species under 50% shade. In separate field experiments the yield, stand density, and persistence of sericea lespedeza {Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don} decreased with increasing shade although crude protein content was not affected. Cultivars of 4 species, ('Mt. Barker' subclover, 'Tibbee' crimson clover, 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and 'Gulf' ryegrass), had acceptable stands and yields under 50% shade in a multiple harvest regime. These results demonstrate that several forage species are sufficiently shade tolerant to warrant consideration for use in forested environments.
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Semen Characteristics and Behavior of Grazing Bulls as Influenced by ShadeThe efficiency of shades to provide bulls relief from heat stress was studied during the summers of 1977 and 1978. The shades were constructed from steel pipe with expanded metal roof covered with baled straw. Ambient and blackbulk temperatures were more variable in 1977 than in 1978. No consistent influence of shade availability was observed in behavior of the bulls, though during 1978, less time was spent grazing by bulls with access to shade. During both years, standing time was greater (P<.10) by bulls without access to shade. Bulls made little use of the shades in August and September. In 1977, semen motility, movement rate, and percentage live sperm cells were greater (P<.10) from bulls provided shade. Bulls without shade showed a trend for higher numbers of aged acrosomes and abnormal sperm cells. General semen quality was lower in 1978, but no consistent effect of shade was noted, except that abnormal sperm cells were lower from bulls with access to shade. During both years, semen motility was decreased and percentage of abnormal sperm cells was increased 2- to 3-weeks after blackbulb temperatures approached 45 degrees C for several consecutive days.
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Seasonal Foods of Blacktail Jackrabbits and Nuttall Cottontails in Southeastern IdahoThe diets of blacktail jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) and nuttall cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttalli) were estimated by examination of fecal pellet botanical composition. The deficiencies of fecal analysis are noted, but dietary trends and relative importance of forage plants are accurate. Cluster analysis combined leporid pellets into 2 distinct groups based on botanical composition, representing feeding during spring-summer and fall-winter periods. Seven variables (plant species) accounted for significant differences (P<0.05) within and among the leporids studied in seasonal food selection. Generally, grasses and forbs were most abundant in blacktail jackrabbit and nuttall cottontail pellets during the spring-summer period, whereas shrubs were most abundant during the fall-winter period. Diet similarity was greatest between blacktail jackrabbits and nuttall cottontails during the same season. Diversity of forage consumed was greatest for both leporids during spring-summer periods. Habitat segregation minimizes competition for forage between the leporids studied. Livestock grazing appears to limit leporid population density rather than alter leporid food habits.
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Responses of Birds, Rodents, and Vegetation to Livestock Exclosure in a Semidesert Grassland SiteLivestock have been excluded from a 3,160-ha range in southeastern Arizona since 1968. Compared to an adjacent continuously grazed area, in 1981-82 a protected upland site supported 45% more grass cover, a comparatively heterogeneous grass community, and 4 times as many shrubs. Grama grasses (Bouteloua spp.) were equally common in and outside the exclosure, while a variety of other species, especially plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermedia) and Arizona cottontop (Trichachne californicum) were much more abundant on the protected site. The grazed area supported significantly higher numbers of birds in summer, while densities did not differ in winter. Rodents were significantly more abundant inside the protected area. Species of birds and rodents more common in the grazed area included those typical of more xeric lowland habitats and those preferring open ground for feeding. Species more common on the protected site were those which characterize semidesert or plains grasslands, and which prefer substantial grass or shrub cover. Grazing appeared to favor birds as a class over rodents.
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Pickup grass seed stripperSeveral methods of grass seed harvest exist. One method that performs well for farm and ranch circumstances is a homemade pickup grass seed stripper. This stripper affords a means of economical seed harvest for many grass seeds.
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Marginal Benefits of Grazing and Agricultural Practices on a Mexican EjidoThe ejidos, or communal farms, of northeastern Mexico traditionally produce cattle, goats, corn, and beans. In addition, several plant species are gathered for sale as food, fiber, or other uses. The present governmental policy is to provide price supports for the gathered plants as an incentive for families to remain on the ejidos. An alternative to this program is a program of grazing land improvements to provide increased forage for cattle and goats. On the Ejido Noria de Guadalupe in the state of Zacatecas, analysis of the marginal contribution of increments of labor clearly shows that improvement of grazing would be more effective in attracting families to the ejidos than the present practice of price supports but would result in some challenging changes in social organization./Los ejidos o predios comunales del norte de Mexico se caracterizan por ser productores de ganado vacuno y caprino, y en menor escala, productores de maiz y frijol. Como una actividad adicional se realizan colectas de ciertas especies nativas de las cuales se obtiene fibra, hule, productos quimicos y alimento para humanos. La politica actual del gobierno consiste en subsidiar estas actividades para proporcionar empleo y fortalecer el arraigo al ejido. Una alternativa al programa actual consiste en incrementar la produccion de forraje, mediante una serie de mejoras en el manejo total del ejido. En el caso especifico del ejido Noria de Guadalupe, Zac., el analisis demuestra que los margenes de contribucion, debido a un incremento en la fuerza de trabajo, son mayores para las actividades de pastoreo bajo las condiciones propuestas que la practica de subsidio vigente en la actualidad. Sin embargo, esta nueva propuesta demanda desafientes combios en la organizacion productiva del ejido para que sea congruente con las estrategias de manejo propuestas.
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Horses and Cattle Grazing in the Wyoming Red Desert. II. Dietary QualityBotanical composition of horse and cattle diets from fecal analysis and nutrient quality of hand-harvested forages used by these herbivores were evaluated to assess dietary quality during the summer and winter seasons of 1981 in the Wyoming Red Desert. Dietary crude protein estimates averaged 7.5 +/- 0.1% and 9.0 +/- 0.5% during the summer for horses and cattle, respectively. Dietary crude protein estimates in the winter were lower, averaging 6.1 +/- 0% and 6.0 +/- 0% for horses and cattle, respectively. Estimated dietary calcium levels for both herbivores were high through the summer and winter, while dietary phosphorus levels appear to be deficient during both seasons. Average in vitro dry matter disappearance coefficients for horses and cattle during the summer were 52 +/- 2% and 52 +/- 2%, respectively. During the winter these values dropped to 39 +/- 1% and 40 +/- 1% for horses and cattle, respectively.
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Grass Species Adaptability in the Southern High Plains—A 36-Year AssessmentA 36-yr old species adaptation test was evaluated and the relative quality of some persisting native and introduced grass species was determined. The site was Conlen loam on the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Dallam County, Texas. Of the 25 species planted, only yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum),1 Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa caucasica), and galleta (Hilaria jamesii) tended to dominate the plots on which they were originally planted. Yellow and Caucasian bluestem had spread into plots planted to other grasses but galleta had spread very little. Yellow bluestem was as high or higher in protein, mineral content, and digestibility (IVDMD) than the other grasses analyzed [Caucasian bluestem, galleta, sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii)]. The contents of Caucasian bluestem and galleta were not significantly different from those of yellow bluestem, except that galleta was lower in IVDMD, especially when mature. These 3 grasses merit consideration in range seeding programs on Conlen and similar soils in the Southern High Plains.
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Forage Yield of Japanese Honeysuckle after Repeated Burning or MowingJapanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) plantings were burned, mowed, or left untreated in February 1973, and again in March 1978, to measure forage yields from honeysuckle after repeated treatments and to determine whether burning or mowing confines honeysuckle to food plots and prevents accumulation of large, impenetrable mats. Two growing seasons after the 1st treatment, total honeysuckle yield (kg/ha) was greatest on controls and least on burned plots. One and two growing seasons after the 2nd treatment, yield on the mowed plots was significantly greater than that on the control or burned plots. However, honeysuckle formed large, solid mats on control and mowed plots due to the numerous, intertwined runners, while burning reduced the dense growth between plants making them accessible to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
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Forage Yield and Quality of Dryland Grasses and LegumesA 7-year study was conducted on forage yield, digestibility, and crude protein of 7 species of grass, 3 cultivars of alfalfa, and cicer milkvetch at Sidney, Mont., from 1975 through 1981. Forage quality was inversely proportional with forage yield. Crude protein concentration of legumes and grasses decreased 0.8 and 1.25 percentage units, respectively, while dry matter digestibility decreased 1.5 to 2.3 percentage units per every 1,000 kg/ha increase in forage yield. Meadow bromegrass and reed canarygrass produced the least forage from the second through seventh years of the study. Neither forage yield nor quality differed among the 3 creeping-rooted alfalfas: 'Rambler', 'Drylander', and 'Orenberg'. Russian wildrye, Altai wildrye, and green needlegrass produced the most forage during the 1980 drought, and the alfalfas, pubescent wheatgrass, and meadow bromegrass produced the least. Cicer milkvetch and reed canarygrass died during the 1980 drought. Forage digestibility of the alfalfas was 5 to 6 percentage units higher than that of the grasses, and the alfalfas also produced more digestible forage per unit of land. The crude protein concentration of alfalfas was almost twice that in grasses, and alfalfa produced almost twice as much crude protein per unit of land (kg/ha).
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Fire Temperatures and Physical Characteristics of a Controlled Burn in the Upper Sonoran DesertFire temperatures at 4 vertical locations within 3 desert microhabitats were measured during a controlled burn using both temperature pellets and thermocouples. Examples of maximum air temperatures (30 cm) during the fire were 138 degrees C in open interspaces, 352 degrees C within a shrub, and 442 degrees C under a palo verde tree. Fire temperatures among other levels and microhabitats varied considerably. Environmental conditions during the fire were monitored. Soil water repellency at 4 vertical locations within 3 microhabitats showed minimal changes after burning. Soil surface albedo increased by 5% following the fire resulting from 70% perennial plant cover removal and subsequent white ash release. Soil and air temperatures did not vary significantly after the fire when compared to an unburned control.
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Evaluation of Air Threshing for Small Lots of Winterfat FruitsAir threshing, using an air gun scarifier, is an improved method for threshing small lots of winterfat [Eurotia lanata (Pursh) Moq.; Ceratoides 1. (Pursh) J.T. Howell] fruits for laboratory analysis. The technique is faster than hand threshing and causes insignificant damage to the seed in contrast to hammer mill threshing which damages about 25% of the seed.
