| Title | Alternative methods of seeding native lands |
| Publication Type | Conference Paper |
| Year of Publication | 1990 |
| Authors | Barrow J.R., Havstad K, Gibbens, Robert P., Donaldson P. |
| Conference Name | Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy |
| Date Published | October 21-26, 1 |
| Conference Location | San Antonio, TX |
| Keywords | alternative methods, livestock, native lands, natural waterways, seed dispersal, seeding, wildlife |
| Abstract | Mechanical reseeding of native and less productive lands is usually prohibitive. Native plants successfully utilize natural means, such as animals, water, or wind, to distribute their seeds. We are exploring the possibilities of using livestock, wildlife, and natural waterways for seed dispersal. Steers were bolused with gelatin capsules with known quantities of either a shrub, fourwing saltbush, or one of two grasses, blue panic grass or alkali sacaton. These species are adapted to arid range conditions. Up to 60% of the seeds were recovered in steer feces within 72 hours after bolusing, and near normal germination resulted. Quail fed the grass seeds, passed over 95% of the viable seed within 24 hours, and averaged 530 blue panic and 1,800 alkali sacaton seeds per bird. Observations were made of seed dispersed from seeded plots and from a flood activated seeder along natural drainage ways. The use of animals or water to disperse seeds of desirable forage species potentially could be an effective and economical means for establishing these species in areas where conventional methods are not practical. |
