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  Journal of Range Management, Volume 26, Number 5 (September 1973)

  Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01
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  Water Repellency of Soils under Burned Sagebrush

  Salih, M. S. A.; Taha, F. K.; Payne, G. F. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Burning of sagebrush produces water repellency in soils. Maximum repellency occurs at soil temperatures between 1400 and 1800 degrees F. The field test indicated that repellency is produced as a result of the burning of the sagebrush leaf mulch under the shrub rather than the burning of the live plant material.
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  Use of a Crested Wheatgrass Seeding by Black-tailed Jackrabbits

  Westoby, M.; Wagner, F. H. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Black-tailed jackrabbit grazing pressure on a seeding of crested wheatgrass surrounded by native shrub vegetation has been estimated by the use of pellet counts. Grazing pressure falls off rapidly away from the edge of the field, 70% of the total being concentrated in a 300-m band around the edge of the field. By calibrating the pellet counts against others taken in an area of known jackrabbit density, and by using values available in the literature for forage consumption of jackrabbits, an estimate has been made of the absolute grazing pressure on the field in the 300-m band which is predominantly used. The forage removed by jackrabbits in this zone is estimated to be in the order of 60 kg/ha/yr. This is less than 10% of nearly all the yield values found, including those in poor years, in comparable seedings in this area. Apparently jackrabbits do not cause serious damage to established seedings of wheatgrass even when jackrabbit densities are high, as they were at the time of this study.
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  Ungulate Diets in the Lower Grand Canyon

  Hansen, R. M.; Martin, P. S. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Plant fragments were identified and quantified by a microscopic examination of the dung of the burro, cattle, and bighorn in the western end of the Grand Canyon, Arizona. Genera of plants common to the diets of all three ungulates were: Sphaeralcea, Bromus, Tridens, Muhlenbergia, Acacia, Ephedra, Opuntia and Tidestromia. Wherever free ranging large herbivores occur, as in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, it is possible to study their diets by analysis of their dung. The diet of modern large herbivores can be compared with the unique Pleistocene record of ground sloth and extinct mountain goat dung preserved for over 11,000 years in adjacent caves.
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  The Work of Fao in Range Management

  Peterson, R. A. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  The central aim of making better use and preventing deterioration of rangelands in developing countries depends primarily upon improving the management of these lands. This in turn calls for vastly increased investments in research and development. Significant progress has been made in creating a wider appreciation of the grazing resource, increasing technical competence, and improving knowledge of the resource. Less progress has been made in developing organizations competent to manage grazing lands. However, experience to date has clearly shown the importance and feasibility of more coordinated and comprehensive approaches to overcome this obstacle. As effective organizations are built, the opportunities and incentives for investment in range research and development should sharply increase.
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  Status and Outlook for Range in the New Politics

  McGuire, J. R. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Continued need is predicted for livestock grazing from the nation's forests and ranges. However, more consideration must be given to desires of people for all the goods and services range provides. This is the new politics of range management and development. Program goals must consider enhancing the environment while planning more efficient use of the range for livestock production.
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  Spot Treatment for Gambel Oak Control

  Vallentine, J. F.; Schwendiman, D. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Gambel oak can be effectively eliminated in localized, small scale projects by (1) foliage spraying with picloram-silvex at a 1:2 lb a.e./acre rate, (2) basal stem spraying with silvex, 2,4,5-T, or picloram, (3) soil application of picloram granules at 4 lb a.e./acre, or (4) complete top removal followed by root raking.
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  Relationship of Range Quality to Range Condition in the Chilcotin Region, British Columbia

  Demarchi, D. A. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Bluebunch wheatgrass and needleandthread plants were clipped from three different condition classes and six different growing periods in a wheatgrass/bluegrass association. The collected samples were chemically analyzed for crude protein, total ash, calcium, and phosphorous. The results were tested against the condition classes. There were no statistical differences for the components in needleandthread; however, bluebunch wheatgrass showed highly significant differences in the crude protein levels of ungrazed and overgrazed plants. It was also determined that even though the overgrazed wheatgrass had the highest percentage protein, the total weight of protein per unit area was much greater in ungrazed wheatgrass plants.
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  Qanats in the Old World: Horizontal Wells in the New

  Pearse, C. K. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Horizontal wells make use of the principle of the qanat developed in Persia about 2,500 years ago and still widely used there and in other arid regions of the world. The driven horizontal well offers several important advantages over the hand dug qanat especially for livestock watering places.
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  Phenology and Forage Production of Cool Season Grasses in the Southern Plains

  Schuster, J. L.; De Leon Garcia, R. C. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Thirteen varieties of cool season grasses were tested under dryland and irrigated conditions in the Southern High Plains. All introduced varieties out-produced the two native species. Peak percent of forage protein content corresponded with peak growth periods. Sandia orchardgrass and NM-384 tall fescue were the most productive varieties under irrigation but did not survive limited irrigation. Luna pubescent wheatgrass and largo tall wheatgrass were the most resistant to limited moisture conditions and are recommended for irrigated, cool season forage planting.
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  Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans): An Undesirable Range Plant

  Hull, A. C.; Evans, J. O. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Musk thistle, a spiny, unpalatable biennial plant native to Europe and Asia, is becoming widely established on western ranges. It is a vigorous grower and prolific seed producer and is spreading rapidly to uncultivated areas and wild lands used for ranges and watersheds. Though musk thistle spreads faster and is more vigorous where there is little plant competition, it is also spreading and growing well in good native and seeded ranges and in irrigated pastures and meadows. It is relatively easy to control with herbicides. It should be controlled before it spreads to larger acreages.
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  Growth Rate of Mixed Prairie in Response to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization

  Lorenz, R. J.; Rogler, G. A. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Earlier initiation of spring growth and increased dry matter production of mixed prairie are important to the livestock industry, particularly in the northern Plains where the winter feeding period is often prolonged. The effect of N and P levels on growth rate and production of mixed prairie was studied over an 8-year period at the Northern Great Plains Research Center near Mandan, North Dakota. Annual application of N had no effect on growth rate prior to May 1; however, during the May 1-May 15 period, and during each successive growth period, rate of growth increased as N level increased up to 160 lb elemental N/acre (160-N). By May 15, plots receiving 40-N produced more dry matter than did plots without N by June 1. As the season progressed, the production lag of the nonfertilized plots became greater. The yield level reached on June 15 by plots receiving 40-N was not attained by the 0-N plots until July 15. Yield levels reached by fertilized plots on July 1 were never attained by nonfertilized plots.
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  Grazing Systems: A Least Cost Alternative to Proper Management of the Public Lands

  Fulcher, Glen D. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)
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  Foliar-Applied Urea and Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizers on Shortgrass Range

  Houston, W. R.; Van der Sluijs, D. H. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Liquid foliar applications of urea-N fertilizer were compared with dry and foliar applications of ammonium nitrate-N fertilizer for 3 years, 1969-71. The fertilizers were applied in December, May, June, and July each year on separate plots. Treatments were repeated each year on the same plots. The source of N was far more important than method of application. Whether applied in dry form or as foliar application, the ammonium nitrate-N was superior to urea-N for increasing herbage yields, crude-protein content, and protein yields when applied in December, June, or July. When applied in May, both sources of N were equally effective, regardless of method of application. Ammonium nitrate-N in water solution may be applied as late in the growing season as early July with favorable results. The ammonium nitrate-N applied in July increased nitrate-N in herbage in the third year, although not to toxic levels.
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  Fire in Medium Fuels of West Texas

  Heirman, A. L.; Wright, H. A. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Chained and unchained mesquite in medium fuels were burned to measure the effect of prescribed burning on noxious brush species and on the production and utilization of major forage species. The fire did not kill any living mesquite trees. Very few standing dead mesquite stems burned down. Chained mesquite stems were easily consumed by fire with 2,000 lb/acre of fine fuel. Pricklypear and cholla mortality exceeded 50% by the end of the second growing season. Burning greatly increased production and utilization of tobosa grass; production of buffalograss was unaffected. Most annual forbs were harmed by burning.
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  Factors Causing Losses during the Establishment of Surface-sown Pastures

  Campbell, M. H.; Swain, F. G. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Seeds of four pasture species were surface-sown in winter, spring, and summer and losses of seeds, seedlings, and plants during germination, radicle-entry, establishment, and survival noted under various treatments. On an unprotected soil surface losses during germination, radicle-entry and establishment were least in winter and greatest in summer. Dead plant cover on the surface reduced losses during germination and radicle-entry in the summer, while sub-irrigation reduced losses during germination in summer and radicle-entry and establishment in spring and summer. Losses during survival were heavy in all seasons, usually because of moisture stress. Other reasons for losses included harvesting of seeds by ants, damage by soil fauna, residual herbicides, and competition from weeds.
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  Factors Affecting Mesquite Control with Tordon 225 Mixture

  Sosebee, R. E.; Dahl, B. E.; Goen, J. P. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  The influence of various site characteristics was studied for Tordon 225 Mixture effectiveness in honey mesquite control in the Rolling Plains of Texas. Tordon 225 Mixture was commercially applied in 1970 at 0.5 lb a.e./acre under an experimental label for Texas. Generally, soil temperature (18-inch depth) above 75 degrees F, relatively low soil water content (0 to 6-inch depth), and tree height (less than 8 ft) were most influential in the root mortalities obtained in this study.
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  Estimating Food Intake by Observing Mastications by Tractable Deer

  Crawford, H. S.; Whelan, J. B. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  Six confined deer were fed weighed parts of different plant species collected in southwestern Virginia and the number of mastications required to consume the material was determined. Mastications to consume a gram of plant material differed significantly by plants and by animals, and there was a significant interaction. In general, succulent plant parts required fewer mastications than did fibrous plant parts. Nineteen samples would estimate to within 20% of the mean number of mastications per gram at the 95% confidence level for the animal and plant exhibiting the greatest variation during winter. More samples would be required during spring for sampling fibrous plant parts and fewer for sampling succulent plant parts.
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  Effects of Fire on an Ashe Juniper Community

  Wink, R. L.; Wright, H. A. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  In an ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) community a minimum of 1,000 kg/ha of fine fuel was needed to carry a fire to kill juniper seedlings and burn piles of dozed juniper. Grasses recovered quickly and soil erosion was minimal when burning was done during a wet winter and spring. During a dry winter and spring, however, burning increased drouth stress on plants, reduced herbaceous yields, and exposed soil to wind and water erosion for a long period of time when soil moisture was low.
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  Developmental Morphology of Blue Grama and Sand Bluestem

  Sims, P. L.; Lang'at, R. K.; Hyder, D. N. (Society for Range Management, 1973-09-01)

  The purpose of this investigation was to study the normal growth and development of blue grama and sand bluestem. Blue grama and sand bluestem exhibited contrasting forms of growth, regrowth, and perenniality. Blue grama had culmless vegetative shoots and 12% reproductive shoots. Sand bluestem had culmed vegetative shoots and 36% of the shoots became reproductive. Regrowth of blue grama from active shoot apices proceeded rapidly after cutting when soil moisture was adequate. Good productivity, however, depended greatly on essentially free expansion of the leaf blades of phytomers 3 through 6. Good leaf growth and early drying of lowermost leaves when not utilized made sand bluestem suitable for grazing in June, when prompt regrowth of leaves from apical meristems occurred. Close harvesting in early July stopped all active shoot expansion. After grazing sand bluestem in June, a rest period in July should allow good plant development under dry land conditions. With favorable soil moisture conditions in July a close harvest near mid-July stopped first crop growth and promoted development of new tillers and high productivity of second-crop herbage of sand bluestem in late summer and fall.

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