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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #352729
Title: Techniques to improve seeding success of forage kochia in exotic annual grass invaded sagebrush rangelands

Author
item JOHNSON, DUSTIN - Oregon State University
item Davies, Kirk
item MADSEN, MATTHEW - Brigham Young University
item MILLER, TRAVIS - Bureau Of Land Management

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2017
Publication Date: 11/22/2017
Citation: Johnson, D.D., Davies, K.W., Madsen, M., Miller, T. 2017. Techniques to improve seeding success of forage kochia in exotic annual grass invaded sagebrush rangelands. Oregon State University Extension Publication. Oregon Beef Council Report. p.36-44.

Interpretive Summary: The objectives of this study were to determine which seeding techniques are appropriate for enhancing the establishment of forage kochia, a promising revegetation species for sagebrush rangelands prone to invasion by exotic annual grasses. Specifically, we evaluated three seeding methods, two timings of seeding, and the efficacy of stored versus freshly harvested at two sites with five replicated randomized blocks per study site. Our findings indicate shallow drill seedings forage kochia during late winter (February) will generally increase its initial establishment success over broadcast seeding in winter and broadcast or drill seeding during the fall. In addition, we did not observe a marked difference in the performance of year-old seed that had been properly stored compared to freshly harvested seed when both were seeded during the winter. Lastly, seed enhancement treatments designed to improve germination and emergence did not improve establishment of forage kochia compared to shallow drill seeding in the winter, suggesting seed germination and emergence may not be limiting factors for establishment if appropriate planting timing and techniques are employed.

Technical Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine which seeding techniques are appropriate for enhancing the establishment of forage kochia, a promising revegetation species for sagebrush rangelands prone to invasion by exotic annual grasses. Specifically, we evaluated three seeding methods, two timings of seeding, and the efficacy of stored versus freshly harvested at two sites with five replicated randomized blocks per study site. Our findings indicate shallow drill seedings forage kochia during late winter (February) will generally increase its initial establishment success over broadcast seeding in winter and broadcast or drill seeding during the fall. In addition, we did not observe a marked difference in the performance of year-old seed that had been properly stored compared to freshly harvested seed when both were seeded during the winter. Lastly, seed enhancement treatments designed to improve germination and emergence did not improve establishment of forage kochia compared to shallow drill seeding in the winter, suggesting seed germination and emergence may not be limiting factors for establishment if appropriate planting timing and techniques are employed.