Exam 3 Flashcards
How did crested wheatgrass get its name?
because of the distinctive ‘crested’ seed spike
What are is the description/ characteristics of crested wheatgrass?
o Introduced o Bunchgrass o Very deep-rooted o Very long-lived o Good seed producers
What are some other characteristics of Crested Wheatgrass?
o Cures poorly (negative characteristic) Directly linked to low quality Stemmy Not a lot of leaves Does not make a good hay Not popularly planted in rangeland systems o Good grazing tolerance Sometimes overgraze with come back
What are adaptations of crested wheatgrass?
o North Great Plains, Intermountain West higher elevation further south
o Minimum annual precipitation - 9 inches
o Drought Tolerance- Excellent, standard > fairway type
Excellent drought tolerance due to root system
o Wet Tolerance - little
o Salt tolerance – low to moderate
What are the varieties of crested wheatgrass?
o Diploid: Fairway, Ephraim, Roadcrest
Called Fairway types because used on fairways of golf courses
Roadcrest: is a relatively new species, found on roadsides, sod forming (rhizomes)
• Low maintenance species
o Tetraploid: Nordan, Summit, Krik (Standard)
o Siberian: P-27
Extremely drought tolerant (7 inches precipitation)
o Hybrid: Hycrest (Fairway type x Standard type)
What are the uses and management?
o Establishment Excellent seedling vigor Variety selection important Downy brome a problem • Drought tolerant species also, timing is very important o Pasture/ grazing Excellent tolerance to grazing Early spring grazing- limited regrowth (poor 6-8 weeks) • Green up > 1 month early
What are the guidelines for Range Seeding’s?
• Choose better sites
• Do small test seeding (Has to pencil out and be profitable)
• Need to eliminate all competitive species by fallowing
• Seed with legumes in alternate rows or cross drilled
o Alternate rows: Can plant one row then alternate the other
CrW- Leg- CrW- Leg
o Cross drilled: one direction is CrW and the other direction is Leg
• Wait until seed heads appear to start grazing
What is the scientific name and origin of Russian Wildrye?
Elymus junceaus Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski (new name) Origin: Russia, introduced to U.S in 1926
What are some varieties of Russian Wildrye?
Vinall, Bozoisky, Bozoisky Select
What are some characteristics of russian wildrye?
- Bunch Grass
- Most of the leaves are basal
- Very deep and extensive root system
- Very long- lived (30 years or more)
What are adaptations of russian wildrye?
o Minimum annual precipitation – 9 inches
o Drought tolerance- excellent
o Winter hardiness- excellent
o Salt tolerance- good
What is the biggest limitation for russian wildrye?
poor seedling vigor
What are some uses and management of russian wildrye?
o Establishment
Slow due to poor seedling vigor
Need to be seeded in wide rows (>16” wide, row to row)
Not recommended on sandy soils
• Why? (Dries out quickly, Needs to be plants > 16”)
o Lot of open space for wind erosion (soil erosion)
o Pasture/ grazing
Excellent tolerance to grazing
Early, like crested wheatgrass
Better regrowth than CWG
Seed legumes in separate rows or cross drill
• Other uses: Low maintenance
What does the cool season root system do?
is so extensive and close to grow, does not allow weeds to become established
What is an economic dryland pasture mix?
• 15% crested wheatgrass, Hycrest • 15% crested wheatgrass, Nordan • 15% perennial ryegrass • 20% smooth bromegrass • 20% orchardgrass, Paiute • 15% Russian Wildrye 16 lbs/ acre of the aboved at $3.30/ lb = $52.80 for acre
What is the scientific name of Forage Kochia?
Kochia prostrata- a semi-evergreen shrub,
is forage kocha perennial or annual?
perennial, >10 years, prostrate
What are some characteristics of forage kochia?
Very drought tolerant
Good salinity tolerant
Perennial, in contrast to weed kochia
Preserves nutrients well
• Dr. Blair Waldron: scientist working on forage kochia all of his life
• Is known as queen of dessert
Therefore, excellent potential for winter forage
Potential for use as a reclamation species in disturbed areas
A secondary use- as a fire break
• Forage kochia green strip stopped wildfire in Idaho. Adapted from Harrison et. al., 2002
Where is forage kochia reccommended for planting?
sites with 6 inches of precipitation per year
What are two cultivars of forage kochia?
immigrant and snowstorm
What are the concepts of annual/ grain forages?
- Perennials should be the backbone of the forage program
- Annuals can be used to fill gaps
- Annuals are sometimes thought of as complementary forages
- Refinement of forage program considers animal needs over 12 months
Annual forages are important- why?
• Supplemental forage • Emergency feed o Seedling failure o Drought, winterkill, hail, grasshoppers • Rotations for weed control • Extending the grazing season • Renovation process • Silage • Cover crop/ green manure
What are some advantages to annuals?
• Easier to establish • Faster-growing o 4-6 weeks • Greater production • Flexibility (ex. Grazing, stockpile, hay; - as insurance crop)
What is the seasonality of forage production (annuals)?
- Variation in grasses
- Legume- grass mixture
- Dryland/limited irrigation or range land
- Weather patterns