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establish in sites with as little as 5 inches of rainfall per year. It also establishes well in alkaline and
<br />saline sites.
<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 freeze/thaw 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 />prostrate (L.) Schrad. Great Basin Naturalist. 45:778-783.
<br />McKell, C.M., R.M. Otsyina and J. Malechek. 1990. Diets of sheep grazing 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 Trial 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 {Atriplex 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. Pq. 957-961.
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