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Article
Recovery and germinability of native seed fed to cattle
Western North American Naturalist
(2006)
Abstract
Using livestock as seed dispersal agents may be an effective method for increasing species diversity on degraded and previously seeded rangelands. We quantified seed passage and recovery rates, and post-passage ger-minability of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides [Raf] Swezey), and gooseberry globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia [H. & A.] Rydb.) by feeding Holstein heifers seeds of each species at 3 levels (15,000; 30,000; and 60,000 seeds) over a period of 3 weeks. One-kg fecal samples were collected 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after seed ingestion. Undamaged seeds were extracted from the samples and tested for germinability. Globemallow had the highest percentage of recovered, undamaged seed, followed by squirreltail and sagebrush. Globemallow and sagebrush seed passage was highest on Day 1, after which seed numbers dropped sharply Squirreltail passage and recovery were more consistent through time, with higher seed recovery at lower seed feeding levels. Post-passage germinability was highest for squirreltail and globemallow on Day 1. Sagebrush germination was negligible. Differences in physical seed properties (size, shape, and seed coat) likely influenced interspecies variation in passage, recovery and germinability, Globemallow and squirreltail seeds may be suited for livestock dispersal, but sagebrush seeds are riot.
Keywords
- fecal seeding; seed dispersal; revegetation; bottlebrush squirreltail; Elymus elymoides; gooseberry globemallow; Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia; Wyoming big sagebrush; Artemisia tridentata ssp wyomingensis
Disciplines
Publication Date
January, 2006
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3398/1527-0904(2006)66[121:RAGONS]2.0.CO;2
Citation Information
Christopher A. Call. "Recovery and germinability of native seed fed to cattle" Western North American Naturalist Vol. 66 Iss. 1 (2006) p. 121 - 128 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/christopher_call/10/