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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #367268
Research Project: Improved Plant Genetic Resources and Methodologies for Rangelands, Pastures, and Turf Landscapes in the Semiarid Western U.S.

Location: Forage and Range Research

Title: Genotype and planting date influence Bassia prostrata in a semiarid, subtropical, dry winter region

Author
item LAURIAULT, LEONARD - New Mexico State University
item Waldron, Blair

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2020
Publication Date: 2/8/2020
Citation: Lauriault, L., Waldron, B.L. 2020. Genotype and planting date influence Bassia prostrata in a semiarid, subtropical, dry winter region. Agronomy Journal. 10(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020251.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020251

Interpretive Summary: Alfalfa growers in semiarid, subtropical regions of northeatern New Mexico seek forage crops having a lower irrigation requirement. Perennial forage kochia is known as "the alfalfa of the desert", and well adapted to semi-arid regions, but its performance in this part of the U.S. was not known. New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari evaluated forage kochia under irrigation and rainfed conditions.Under irrigation, forage kochia established when planted in March and May, but the May seeding tended to have greater biomass production than the March seeding. On average forage kochia produced 11,004 and 7,933 lb/acre, respectively, and were within the range of expected yields of irrigated alfalfa grown in the area. This research determined that 'forage kochia - the alfalfa of the desert' may have potential as a reduced-irrigation alternative to alfalfa in semiarid, subtropical, continental precipitation regions like northeast New Mexico.

Technical Abstract: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growers in semiarid, subtropical regions seek forage crops having a lower irrigation requirement. Perennial forage kochia [Bassia prostrata (L.) A.J. Scott (syn. Kochia prostrata)] is known as "the alfalfa of the desert." New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari evaluated four genotypes direct-seeded in March and May 2014 under irrigation and continental rainfed conditions. Canopy cover was rated in 2016 and 2018 and biomass production was measured in 2018. Rainfed seedings did not establish, likely due to typical low precipitation after the March seeding and competition by better-adapted species after the May seeding. Snowstorm did not establish even with irrigation. Canopy cover remained unchanged across years. Under irrigation, Immigrant established the greatest canopy cover for the March seeding and Pustinny-select had greater canopy cover for the May seeding (8, 38, 14% cover for KZ-6X, Immigrant, and Pustinny-select sown in March, respectively, and 14, 20, and 40% cover for KZ-6X, Immigrant, and Pustinny-select sown in May, respectively; P<0.0083; SEM = 7.6). The May seeding tended (P<0.10) to have greater biomass production than the March seeding (11,004 and 7,933 lb ac-1, respectively; SEM = 2,185), and both were similar to expected yields of irrigated alfalfa grown in the area. Irrigation or adequate precipitation to maintain soil moisture and weed control are critical to B. prostrata establishment by direct-seeding. Further research is necessary to determine the potential of this species as an alternative to alfalfa in semiarid, subtropical, continental precipitation regions.