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<br />• Slope by Dr. William A. Weber (1987 Colorado Associated <br />University Press). In this flora, Dr. Weber uses the more <br />recent taxonomic nomenclature, but continues to consider <br />beardless wheatgrass as a variety of bluebunch wheatgrass. <br />8. As discussed in other areas of Tab 13 (see Appendix 13-4), <br />alfalfa was seeded at very high rates in earlier reclamation <br />activities. This, combined with its adaptation to the region, <br />caused stands to develop with excessive alfalfa composition. <br />The proposed seeding rate has been reduced significantly and <br />comprises less than two percent of the mix in terms of <br />seeds/ft~. This same rate is currently approved for the <br />Seneca II-W Mine. The Seneca II-W seeding rate was justified <br />based on sample data from Seneca II reclaimed areas. These <br />areas were seeded from 1987 onward with alfalfa at the rate <br />specified in revised Tab 13. <br />Medicaao falcata L. is a distinct species. See National List <br />of Scientific Plant Names Vol. 1 (SCS-TO-159) and Vascular <br />Plants of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock, Cronquist, Ownbey, <br />Thompson), Part 3. Medicaao falcata has a more prostrate and <br />less bushy form than the more erect Medicaao sativa and has a <br />creeping root system as opposed to M. sativa's strong taproot. <br />The flowers are yellow and leaves are smaller for M. falcata. <br />M. falcata has a shorter active growing season, marked fall <br />dormancy, and does not recover after grazing (or cutting) as <br />• quickly as M. sativa. The potential annual biomass production <br />for M. falcata is less than M. sativa. The falcata type <br />alfalfas have been developed for rangeland or pasture <br />situations because of their ability to better withstand <br />grazing pressure and drought, while having good winter <br />hardiness. Seed viability and production is apparently not as <br />high as in sativa types. Seedling vigor can be low and <br />seedling development is slow. Some work has been done on <br />breeding falcata varieties that lower the chance for bloat. <br />The specified variety in the seed mix is Travois and part of <br />the breeding program for this variety considered the potential <br />for lowered bloat incidence. <br />The earliest alfalfa varieties were developed from falcata <br />type germplasm. However, the superior production and the <br />potential for quicker recovery after cutting for the sativa <br />type resulted in greater interest in that type in later years. <br />The need for adapted rangeland alfalfas has resulted in a <br />number of more repent varieties developed from falcata type <br />germplasm. <br />The Travois variety specified in the seed mix is developed <br />from falcata germplasm and hence Medicaao falcata was <br />specified. It is not known whether the M. falcata types are <br />definitely less competitive in an established stand. However, <br />• <br />2 <br />