Element concentrations in globemallow herbage

Rumbaugh, M.D. and Mayland, H.F. and Pendery, B.M. and Shewmaker, G.E. (1993) Element concentrations in globemallow herbage. Journal of Range Management. 46:114-117.

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Abstract

Globemallows (Sphaeralcea spp.) are native, drought-resistant
forbs of interest for inclusion in seed mixtures for semiarid rangeland
renovation. Little is known of their nutritional value for
ungulates. We measured element concentrations in representative
globemallow species and evaluated their adequacy for livestock
nutrition. We also correlated forage selection by sheep (Ovis aries)
with element concentrations. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), crested
wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. X A. desertorum
(Fisch.) Schult.], and 13 accessions of globemallows [S. coccinea
(Pursh) Rydb., S. grossulariifolia (H. & A.) Rydb., S. munroana
(Dougl) Spach., and S. parvifolia A. Nels.] were transplanted into
replicated grazing trials in southern Idaho. Herbage was sampled
and the pastures were grazed by sheep in the fall of 2 years and in
the spring of the following 2 years. Concentrations of Ca and Mg in
crested wheatgrass were lower than in forbs. Differences between
seasons were greater than the differences among globemallow
species. Forage selection ratios were positively associated with the
N concentration of globemallow leaves and with the Ca:P ratio of
globemallow stems but were negatively associated with stem Zn
concentrations. Herbage from pastures containing crested wheatgrass
with globemallows and/or alfalfa would meet the dietary
element requirements of beef cattle (Bos taurus) and sheep.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0795
Subjects:	Mass Import - unclassified
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:53
Last Modified:	01 Dec 2016 21:42
Item ID:	596
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/596