|
• 8 of 8
<br />establish in sites with as little as 5 inches of rainfall per year. It also establishes well in alkaline and
<br />saline saes.
<br />Forage kochia can also be successfully established with broadcast seeding (Page, 1994). If the
<br />seed is broadcast, it is essential that it be done in the early winter before the majority of the winter
<br />snow is on the ground (November is optimal). This will allow snow, rain, and the freezeithaw action
<br />of the soil during winter to lightly cover the kochia seeds.
<br />Seed Viability
<br />Proper storage of forage kochia seed can be difficult. Large reductions in germination rate can
<br />occur in a single year if the seed is not stored correctly (Young, 1981). The seed should be dried
<br />and stored under dry cool conditions to maintain adequate germination, Seed is normally harvested
<br />in October or November, making it difficult to dry enough for proper storage. Because of storage
<br />difficulties it is best to plant the current year's seed. Forage kochia seed will have the best
<br />germination if it is planted within a few months after harvest (November - December).
<br />If forced to buy seed that is a year old, try to buy seed that has been stored in a cool, dry place. it is
<br />best if the seed has been stored at 50 degrees or less. A CURRENT germination test should be
<br />done on the seed and it should be purchased on a Pure Live Seed (PLS) basis. This is important
<br />as a germination rate of 50 percent or less is common in older seed.
<br />Conclusion
<br />• Forage kochia has proven to be an adapted, highly palatable forage species for livestock and
<br />wildlife. It is competitive with cheatgrass and much more fire resistant. It provides diversity and
<br />cover when seeded with crested wheatgrass. With all things considered, forage kochia deserves
<br />greater use when seeding Nevada rangelands.
<br />Literature Cited:
<br />Davis, A.M. 1979, Forage quality of Prostrate Kochia compared with three browse species. Agronomy Journal. 71:822-
<br />824
<br />Davis, J.N. and B.L. Welch. 1985. Winter preference, nutritive value, and other range characteristics of Kochia
<br />prostrata :;L.) Schrad. Great Basin Naturalist. 45:778 -783.
<br />McKell, C.M., R.M. Otsyina and J. Matechek. 1990. Diets of sheep glazing forage kochia and winterfat mixed grass
<br />pasture in late fall Proceedings - Symposium on Cheatgrass Invasion, Shrub Die -off, and Other Aspects of Shrub
<br />Biology and Management. Pg. 310 -316.
<br />Page, R.J , V.P. Rasmussen, H.H. Horton, R.L. Newhall, D.E. Wilson, G.W Kidd and T.C. Roberts. 1994. White Rocks
<br />Road Immigrant Forage Kochia Tnai Seeding. Rangelands. Pg_ 167 -168.
<br />Stevens, R.K., R. Jorgensen, E.D. McArthur and J.N. Davis. 1985. "Immigrant" Forage Kochia. Range. 7(1):22 -23.
<br />Welch, B.L. and S.D. Monsen. 1984. Winter Nutritive value of accessions of fourwing saltbush (Atriplax canescens
<br />(Prush.) Nutt.) grown in a uniform garden.
<br />Whisenant, S,G. 1990. Changing Fire Frequencies on Idaho's Snake River Plains: Ecological and Management
<br />Implications. Proceeding - Symposium on Cheatgrass invasion, Shrub Die -off, and Other Aspects of Shrub Biology
<br />and Management. Pg. 4 -10.
<br />Young, J.A., R.A. Evans, R. Stevens and R.L. Everett. 1981. Germination of Kochia prostrate Seed Agronomy Journal.
<br />Vol 73, Nov -Dec. Pg. 957 -961.
<br />UNIVERSITY The University of Nevada, Reno Is an Equal OpportunityrAfBmtatNe Action employer and coos not discriminate on the
<br />OF NEVADA basis of race, color, refigton, sex, age, creed, national or%ln, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or sexual
<br />RENO orientation, in any program or activity it operates. The UnYv of Nevada amploys only United States eiVzsns and
<br />•thoas aliens lawfully authorized to work In the United States.
<br />•
<br />
|