'Gordon Creek' -- a superior, tested germplasm of Wyoming big sagebrush

14 Pages·1992·0.72 MB·English

by  Welch, Bruce L. (Bruce Leigh), 1943-

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document
Historic, archived
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.
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<o United States 'Gordon Creek' Superior,
L../«'^epartment
ofAgriculture
Germplasm
Forest Service Tested of
IRnetseeramrocuhntSatiantion Wyoming Big Sagebrush
Research Paper
INT-461
Bruce Welch
November 1992 L.
E. Dwain Nelson
m
Stanford A. Young
:.1 <i'n
Alan R. Sands
Fred J. Wagstaff
David L. Nelson CO CO
>
Ci
THE AUTHORS University of California at Berkeley in 1971. He has
served as a Forest Service research scientist since
BRUCE L. WELCH is a plant physiologist with the 1967 studying western pine stem rust fungi and
Intermountain Research Station, Provo, UT. He diseases of western wildland shrubs.
earned a B.S. degree in agricultural education from
Utah State University in 1965, an M.S. degree in ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
animal science from the University of Idaho in 1969,
and a Ph.D. degree in plant science from the Univer- The authors express their gratitude to the following
sity of Idaho in 1974. He has been a Forest Service individuals for their assistance and encouragement
scientist since 1977. overthe years while we were searching for superior
E. DWAIN NELSON is a range conservationistforthe germplasms of big sagebrush: Warren T. Bell,
Bureau of Land Management on the Vernal District Kenneth C. Boyer, S. Dwight Bunnell, Jack R. Carlson,
Staff. He served as area manager in the Ely District James Clark, James N. Davis, Robert L. Elderkin,
from 1970 to 1976 and as a range conservationist in John Fairchild, Don Heslop, Gary L. Jorgensen,
the Boise District from 1963 to 1970. He earned a Kent R. Jorgensen, David E. Little, Gary L. Noller,
B.S. degree in agronomy and chemistry in 1957 from Dick Page, Mike Pellant, Roger Rosentreter,
Brigham Young University and worked as a research Richard Stevens, and Ron Trogstad.
assistant at Utah State University studying range The Idaho State Office of the Bureau of Land
science and ecology from 1961 to 1963. Management, the Central Regional Office of the Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Vernal District
STANFORD YOUNG
A. is a research associate of the Bureau of Land Management helped fund this
professor and seed certification specialist at Utah
research.
State University. He is the secretary-manager ofthe The cover illustration was drawn by Suzy Stephens,
Utah Crop Improvement Association. He earned a
operations office assistant in the headquarters ofthe
B.S. degree in botany and chemistry from Utah State Intermountain Research Station.
University in 1972, an M.S. degree in plant pathology
from Utah State University in 1973, and a Ph.D. RESEARCH SUMMARY
degree in plant pathology and plant breeding from
Oregon State University in 1977. He has worked in his This document establishes the basis forthe release
present positions at Utah State University since 1980. of 'Gordon Creek', a superior germplasm of big sage-
ALAN R. SANDS is a wildlife biologist with the Idaho brush. 'Gordon Creek' is an ecotype of Wyoming big
State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Boise, ID. sagebrush {Artemisia tridentatassp. wyomingensis)
He earned a B.A. degree in general education from collected near Helper, UT. This release is needed
San Diego State University in 1969, and an M.S. degree to increase nutrients in the winter diets of mule deer
in wildlife biology from Humboldt State University in {Odocoileus hemionus liemionus) and sage grouse
1976. He has been a wildlife habitat biologist with {Centrocercus uropliasianus), and to restore disturbed
the Bureau of Land Management since 1977. lands. This sagebrush exceeds the typical winter
FRED J. WAGSTAFF was a range scientist (now forage values for energy, crude protein, phosphorus,
and carotene. 'Gordon Creek' is adapted to drier sites
retired) with the Intermountain Research Station, than 'Hobble Creek', a previously released germplasm
Provo, UT. He earned a B.S. degree in agricultural of mountain big sagebrush {A.t. ssp. vaseyana).
economics from Utah State University in 1961, an Thirteen Wyoming big sagebrush germplasms were
M.S. degree in agricultural economics from Utah State tested. 'Gordon Creek' was preferred by wintering
University in 1963, and a Ph.D. degree in range and mule deer and was eaten by wintering sage grouse.
wildlife science from Brigham Young University in 'Gordon Creek' can be established and maintained
1983. He served in the Forest Service in various over a wide geographic range on sites that have well-
planning and administrative capacities for approxi- drained, deep or shallow soils with an average annual
mately 25 years. His research primarily related to precipitation of 10 to 13 inches. Soil textures should
range, ecology, wildlife, and resource economics. not exceed 55 percent clay (sandy clay, silty clay, or
DAVID L. NELSON is a research plant pathologist clay). Soil pH may vary from 6.6 to 8.8.
with the Intermountain Research Station, Provo, UT. 'Gordon Creek' can be established by direct seed-
He earned his B.S. degree in botany and plant pathol- ing on properly prepared seedbeds, by transplanting
ogy from Utah State University in 1961, an M.S. degree bareroot or containerized stock, or by atechnique we
in plant pathology from Utah State University in 1963, term "mother plant."
and a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology from the
Intermountain Research Station
324 25th Street
Ogden, UT84401
—
A
'Gordon Creek' Superior,
Tested Germplasm of Wyoming
Big Sagebrush
Bruce L. Welch
E. Dwain Nelson
Stanford A. Young
Alan R. Sands
Fred J. Wagstaff
David L. Nelson
THE NEED
Duringthe studies, deer could be allowed to graze
on the plants by opening a 15-foot-wide gate. Dur-
Mule deer (Odocoileushemionus hemionus) winter
ingthe spring of1987, containerized stock ofthe
diets are low in energy, protein, phosphorus, and 13 germplasms was planted on the three test sites
carotene (Welch and others 1986). Big sagebrush (Nelson 1984). Each germplasm was represented
{Artemisia tridentata) can help raise the nutrient by 20 plants placed at random on a 7- by 7-foot grid.
levels ofwinter diets (Bhat and others 1990; Duringthe first growing season, plants received
Bunderson and others 1986; Welch 1989; Welch supplementary water at Brown's Park and Glenns
and Wagstaff1992).
Ferry.
'Hobble Creek' mountain big sagebrush {A.t. ssp. Data collected were: height ofplants afterthe first
vaseyana) was formally released in 1987 for com- growing season (inches), length ofcurrentyear's
mercial production. 'Hobble Creek' was targeted for growth forthe second, third, and fourth growing sea-
use on mule deer and domestic sheep {Ovis aries) sons (inches), wintering mule deer preference (per-
winterranges with annual precipitation ofat least centage ofcvurentyear's growth eaten), crude pro-
14 inches (Welch and others 1986). Recent studies tein (percentage ofdry matter), phosphorus content
show that sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
(percentage ofdry matter), in vitro digestibility (per-
and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) also prefer centage ofdry matter digested duringlaboratory
'Hobble Creek' (Welch and others 1991). Managers tests), and number ofseedlings growing within
need a preferred big sagebrush like 'Hobble Creek' 2.5 feet ofthe plants (Glenns Ferry only). The tech-
for revegetation to raise the nutrient levels ofwinter niques used to collect the data have been described
diets on shrublands having 10 to 13 inches ofannual
precipitation.
METHODS —
Table 1 Acquisition sites (county and state) for germplasm
ofWyoming big sagebrusli {Artemisia tridentata
The search for superior germplasms that couldbe ssp. wyomingensis)
used on shrublands with 10 to 13 inches ofaverage
annual precipitation centered on Wyomingbig sage- Germplasms County state
brush. It has superior winter nutrient content and GORDON CREEK Carbon Utah
is adapted to dry sites (Welch and others 1986; Glenns Ferry Elmore Idaho
Winward 1983). Thirteen geographically distinct Brown's Park Daggett Utah
populations were selected from locations listed in Oasis Millard Utah
table 1. Seeds collected from each population will Rush Valley Utah Utah
be referred to as germplasm. South Fredonia Coconino Arizona
Afterthe seeds were collected, three test sites Loa Wayne Utah
were chosen where all 13 germplasms could be Squaw Butte Harney Oregon
raisedin common gardens. These were located near Dinosaur Moffat Colorado
Springville, UT; Glenns Ferry, ID; and Taylor Flats North Kemmerer Lincoln Wyoming
Warren Carbon Montana
in Brown's Park, UT, about 12 miles east ofDutch
Arco Butte Idaho
John. Each site was mechanically cleared ofnative Daniel Sublette Wyoming
vegetation and surrounded by a deerprooffence.
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in the following publications: McArthur andWelch Table3 Leadergrowth of 13 germplasms ofWyoming
1982 (growth), Welch and Wagstaff1992 (prefer- big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentatassp.
ence), Welch and McArthur 1979 (crude protein), wyomingensis) grown on three differenttest
Welch and others 1988 (phosphorus), and Clary and sites. Data collected from the three test sites
others 1988 (invitro digestibility). were notpooled. Data collected overthree
Datawere analyzed by one-way analysis ofvari- yearswithin testsites were pooled. Means
ance. Ifan analysis ofvariance produced anF-value sharing the same letter in the superscriptare
not significantly differentatthe 5 percent level
significant at the 5 percent level, we used the least
significant difference method to determine which Germplasms Growth
treatment means were significantly different ft-om
Inches
one another (atthe 5 percentlevel). Each ofthe 13
SprlngvilleTestSite
germplasms was considered to be atreatment, with South Fredonia 7.4a
the individual plants considered to be replications. GORDON CREEK 6.8"
Data ofequal variances were pooled. These in- Arco 6.4"=
cluded: height ofplants for first growing season Squaw Butte 6.3"=
(data pooled across sites), current year's growth for Loa 6.2"=
the second, third, and fovirth growing seasons (data Warren 6.1"=
pooled across years within sites), wintering mule Dinosaur 6.1"=
deer preference (data pooled across sites), and nutri- Oasis 5.9='^
ent content (data pooled across sites). Rush Valley 5.8=^
Glenns Ferry 5.7==^
Brown's Park 5.6=^^
RESULTS
North Kemmerer 5.2''
Daniel
Table 2 shows the height ofplants atthe end of
the first growing season. Plants grown fi-om 'Gordon Glenns FerryTest Site
Creek' germplasm averaged 6.4 inches tall, signifi- GORDON CREEK 3.43
cantly tallerthan seven ofthe 13 germplasms Squaw Butte 3.2^
South Fredonia 3.1^"
tested. 'Gordon Creek' was not significantly shorter
Glenns Ferry 2.93"=
than any ofthe other germplasms tested. Table 3 Oasis 2 gabcd
shows the average ofthe currentyear's growth dur- Loa 2 gabcde
ingthe second, third, and fourth growing seasons. Warren 2 gbcde
Due to unequal variances among test sites, data Brown's Park 2 gbcde
could not be pooled across sites. Years within a site Dinosaur 2 gbcde
Arco 2_5Cde
Daniel 2,5cde
North Kemmerer 2_4de
— Rush Valley 2.3«
Table 2 Height of 13 germplasms ofWyoming big sage-
brush {Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) Brown's ParkTest Site
plants afterone season of growth. Data from all Loa 2.7
three test sites were pooled. Means sharing the GORDON CREEK 2.6
same letter in the superscript are not significantly South Fredonia 2.6
different atthe 5 percent level Glenns Ferry 2.5
Squaw Butte 2.5
Germplasms Height ofplants Oasis 2.4
Rush Valley 2.4
Indies
Brown's Park 2.3
Oasis 6.5^
Dinosaur 2.3
GORDON CREEK 6.4^
Arco 2.2
Rush Valley 6.43 Warren 2.1
South Fredonia 6.0^'= North Kemmerer 2.0
Brown's Park
Daniel 2.0
Loa
Squaw Butte 5.6"=
Dinosaur 5.4''=
Glenns Ferry 5.0=^
North Kemmerer 4gcde
Warren 4 gcde
Arco 4.6^^^
Daniel 4.r
2
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were pooled. Significant differences were detected Table 5 Wintercrude protein content among 13 germ-
amonggermplasms atthe Springville and Glenns plasms of Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia
Ferry sites. 'Gordon Creek' was significantly more tridentatassp. wyomingensis) grown on three test
productive than six ofthe germplasms tested at sites. Data collected from the three test sites were
Springville. Only South Fredonia germplasm was pooled. Data are expressed as a percentage of
more productive there. At Glenns Ferry, the 'Gor- dry matter. Means sharing the same letter in the
superscript are not significantlydifferentatthe
don Creek' germplasm significantly exceeded seven
5 percent level
other germplasms in growth. None ofthe other
germplasms tested was significantly more produc- Percentof
tive. 'Gordon Creek' ranked second in growth at ucrinpiasriis
Brown's Park, butnone ofthe differencestherewas
Daniel 13.9^
significant. 'Gordon Creek' germplasm ranked
amongthemost productive ofthe germplasmstested. SiNquruuaiwrABcruititieTicrci 1>D.\J
Arco 13.1^"
Preference Oasis 12.8"=
Rush Valley 12.5'"=
Table 4 shows the preference ofwintering mule GORDON CREEK 11.9=^
deer for the 13 germplasms ofWyoming big sage- Warren 11.9'=^
brush. Because the Glenns Ferry test site had few Dinosaur 11.9=^
deer, data were collected only from Springville and Glenns Ferry 11.8''
Brown's Park in Utah. Data collected from those Brown's Park 1 .7'^^
Loa 11.3''^
sites were pooled. 'Gordon Creek' germplasm was
South Fredonia 10.8«
significantly preferred by winteringmule deer (37.2
percent use) over all other germplasms. Mule deer
heavily browse Wyoming big sagebrush at Gordon
Creek where the germplasm was collected. Even
during openwinters whenthe deer couldhavemoved Nutrient Content
to higher or lower elevations to feed, they still ate
Table 5 shows the winter crude protein content of
large quantities ofthe Wyomingbig sagebrush
the 13 germplasms ofWyoming big sagebrush. Data
there.
collected from the three test sites were pooled. Four
germplasms had a significantly higher crude protein
contentthan 'Gordon Creek' (11.9 percent ofdry
Table 4—Preference ofwintering mule deerfor 13 germ- matter). However winter crude protein levels of
plasms of Wyoming big sagebrush {Artemisia 'Gordon Creek' exceedthe needs ofwintering deer
tridentatassp. wyomingensis) on the Springville (Welch 1989) and the levels reported for many other
and Brown's Park, UT, test sites. Data collected shrubs, forbs, and grasses.
atthe two test sites were pooled. Data are Table 6 shows the winter phosphorus content of
expressed as a percentage of the current year's the 13 germplasms. Data collected fi-om the three
growth removed. Means sharing the same letter in test sites were pooled. No significant differences
the superscript are not significantly differentatthe were detected amonggermplasms. 'Gordon Creek's
5 percent level winter phosphorus level was 0.21 percent ofdry
matter. This leveljust meets the needs ofwintering
Percent of
Germplasms growth used deer (Welch 1989), but exceeds levels reported for
some other shrubs, forbs, and grasses.
GORDON CREEK 37.2^
The results ofthe in vitro digestibility trials are
South Fredonia 23.8'=
Rush Valley 22.2bc shownintable 7. Data collected from the three test
Warren 18.8"=^ sites were pooled. 'Gordon Creek' digestibility (52.8
Brown's Park 18.1bed percent) was significantly exceededby only one
Daniel 16.3'"=''^ other germplasm (Arco, 56.6 percent). It signifi-
Loa 5.8'"='^^ cantly exceeded four germplasms and was not sig-
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Glenns Ferry 14gbcde nificantly different fi-om the remaining eight.
Squaw Butte 14ot"='^9 'Gordon Creek' digestibilityjust meet the needs of
North Kemmerer 13.4"=^^ wintering deer (Welch 1989), but exceeds the levels
Arco 12.3de reported formany other shrubs and for some grasses
Oasis lO.Q'^^ and forbs.
Dinosaur 7.8«
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Table 6 Winter phosphorus content of 13 germplasms of SITE ADAPTATION
Wyoming big sagebrush {Artemisia tridentatassp.
wyomingensis). Data collected from all three test The native site ofthe 'Gordon Creek' germplasm is
sites were pooled. Data are expressed as a per- about 7 miles southwest ofHelper, UT, at an eleva-
centage of dry matter. There was no significant tion ofabout 6,000 feet. The average annual precipi-
difference among germplasms orsites tation is about 12 inches. The average frost-free pe-
riod is from 80 to 120 days. The soil is aTravessilla
Percentof
sandyloam. This is a shallow, well-drained soil de-
Germplasms phosphorus
rived predominantly from sandstone with a clay con-
Oasis 0.24 tent of10 to 18 percent. Effective rooting depth is
North Kemmerer .23 between 7 and 20 inches. Soil reactions (pH) range
Squaw Butte .23 from 7.4 to 8.8. Permeabilityis moderate with an
Arco .23 available water capacity of3 to 4 inches (Jensen and
Daniel .22 Borchert 1988; Utah State Engineer's Office 1931-60).
Rush Valley .22
Warren .22
Loa .22 Glenns Ferry Site
GORDON CREEK
.21
South Fredonia .21 The 'Gordon Creek' germplasm appears to be well
Brown's Park .21 adaptedto the Glenns Ferrytest site. Here 'Gordon
Dinosaur .21 Creek' produced 4.9 seedlings perlive plant (table 8).
Glenns Ferry .21 It significantly exceeded seven other germplasms.
Even the native Glenns Ferry germplasm did not
have significantly more seeedlings. The growth of
'Gordon Creek' germplasm was amongthe highest
'Gordon Creek'is clearly a superior germplasm of recorded on this site (table 3). Elevation is about
Wyomingbig sagebrush for revegetatingwinter 3,800 feet. Average annual precipitationis about
mule deer range, sage grouse habitat, and for restor- 11 inches. Duringthe study period, however, the
ing disturbedland. The key characteristics favoring precipitation was 10 to 15 percentbelow average.
its use were wintering deer preference andits high The actual precipitation was probably from 9 to
growth rate on all three test sites. 10 inches. The soil is a siltloam ofthe Chilcott-
Kunaton-Chardoton complex. This soil, derived
—
Table 7 Winter in vitro digestibility of 13 germplasms of —
Wyoming big sagebrush {Artemisia tridentatassp. Table 8 Number of seedlings within 2.5 feetof 13 Wyoming
wyomingensis). Data from all three test sites were big sagebrush {Artemisia tridentatassp. wyom-
pooled. Data are expressed as the percentage of ingensis) germplasms grown atthe Glenns Ferry
dry matterdigested. Means sharing the same test site. Means sharing the same letter in the
letter in the superscript are not significantly superscript are not significantly differentatthe
different atthe 5 percent level 5 percent level
Percent Number of
Germplasms digested Germplasms seedlings
Arco 56.6^ Glenns Ferry 6.9^
Squaw Butte 55.13" GORDON CREEK 49ab
South Fredonia 53.7^'' Brown's Park 3.4'>=
Warren 53.7^''= Squaw Butte 3_2bcd
GORDON CREEK 52.8'^'='' Dinosaur 2 gbcd
Oasis 51.7"='^ Warren 2.6''=''
Brown's Park 50.8=<^^ Daniel 2.2="
Rush Valley 50.8=<^® Arco 1.6=''
Glenns Ferry 50.5=^^ Rush Valley
Loa 50.4'^s Loa 1icd
North Kemmerer 50.1^^ Oasis Ll^"*
Daniel 47.8^ South Fredonia .6"
Dinosaur 47.7« North Kemmerer .5=*
4
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS
from loess and alluvium from various kinds ofrocks
is well drained. Effective rooting depthis from 20 to
30 inches. Soil reactions (pH) range from 6.6 to 8.4. 'Gordon Creek'big sagebrush canbe established
Clay content ranges from 27 to 55 percent. Average on suitable sites by direct seeding, by transplanting
frost-free period is about 110 days. Permeabilityis bareroot or containerized stock, or by a technique we
slow with available water capacity moderate (Noe term "mother plant." Descriptions ofthese tech-
1991). niques follow.
Direct Seeding
Springville Site
All 13 germplasms were adaptedtothe Springville Direct seeding is the most practical methodfor
test site, evidencedbyhighgrowthrates, high sur- establishing'Gordon Creek' on areas larger than 10
vival, andmunerouslong, branched seed stalks. All acres. Asuccessful direct-seeding program starts
germplasms producednumerous seedlings. This site with high-quality, certified seed. Commercial
wouldbe excellentfor aseedincrease garden. Eleva- sources ofcertified 'Gordon Creek' seed will be avail-
tionis about 5,000 feet. The average annual precipita- able by January 1994. Techniques have been devel-
tionis about 16inches. We measured 14.4 and 12.5 oped to cost effectively cleanthe seedto a pure live
inches ofprecipitationforthe 1988-89 and 1989-90 seed content of40 to 60 percent. This will greatly
wateryears (author's dataonfile). The soilis a reduce the cost ofshipping, handling, and storage.
PleasantGrove gravellyloam, adeep, well-drained Storage life ofbig sagebrush seed in an open ware-
soil derivedfrom hmestone, shale, and quartzite. Ef- house withouttemperature orhumidity controls is
fectiverootingdepthis 5 feet ormore. About4inches about 5 years (Stevens and others 1981). Ifthe seed
ofavailable wateris heldbythe soil to a depthof analysis is over 1 year old, seedlots shouldbe tested
5 feet. Insummer, the soil canbe dryto depths of7 for germination before beingusedin a direct seeding
to 20 inches for morethan 60 consecutive days. Soil program.
reactions (pH)range from 7.4to 7.9. Claycontent After a suitable site has been chosen, the next step
ranges from 12 to 17 percent. The average frost-free is site preparation. This usuallymeans total or par-
periodis about 160 days. Permeability ranges from tial removal ofexistingvegetation to reduce compe-
2.5to 5.0 inches perhoirr(Swensonandothers 1972). tition. Vegetation canbe cleared by fire, machinery,
orherbicides. The amount ofvegetation removed
Brown's Park Site will depend on the amount andkinds ofother forage
species seededwith 'Gordon Creek' big sagebrush.
Due to heavy supplemental watering, it is difficult We recommend planting'Gordon Creek' with other
tojudge the adaptation of 'Gordon Creek' germ- forage species because mixtures are more productive
plasm to the Brown's Park site. Precipitation during than monocultures, mixtures extend the season of
the study period wasjust 60 to 70 percent ofthe use, and mixtures are more resistant to diseases and
8- to 10-inch average annual precipitation. Al- insects. 'Gordon Creek' should be sowed atthe rate
though we believe 'Gordon Creek' would have sur- ofone-eighth to one-fourth pound ofpure live seed
vived the drought, supplemental wateringwas per acre.
needed to produce enough currentyear's growth for The timing and depth ofseeding are critical. On
the mule deer preference studies. Elevation atthis the native site, 'Gordon Creek' seedis dispersed by
site is 5,700 feet. The soil is anAbra sandy loam, a wind during early December. Therefore, we believe
deep, well-drained soil derived from sedimentary the best time to sow the seed isjust before snow ac-
and metamorphic rocks ofthe Brown's Psirk Forma- cumulation (Young and Evans 1986). For a mixture,
tion and Mancos Shale. The effective rooting depth the optimum planting depth will depend onthe dif-
is 5 feet. Soil reactions (pH) range from 7.9 to 8.4. ferent species included. 'Gordon Creek' seed should
The clay content ranges from 7 to 26 percent. Aver- be sown on a firm seedbed at or nearthe surface.
age frost-free period is about 120 days. Permeability In greenhouse studies, almost no seedlings emerged
is moderate (author's data on file). whenbig sagebrush seeds were planted deeper than
'GordonCreek'Wyomingbigsagebrushgermplasm three-sixteenths inch (Jacobson and Welch 1986).
appears tobe widely adapted and canbe grownon Frost heaving andthe expansion and contraction of
sites withthe followingphysical characteristics: the soil surface by wetting and dryingwill cover the
1. Mean annual precipitation of10 to 13 inches. sagebrush seed enough so it will germinate and es-
tablish itself.
2. Deep to shallow, well-drained soils. 'Gordon Creek' seed canbe sownby aerial seeders,
3. Clay content up to 55 percent. cyclone seeders, dribblers, or drills that have been
4. Soil pH between 6.6 and 8.8. adjustedto leave the seeds onthe surface. When us-
5. Growing season ofat least 80 days. ing a drill, Richardson and others (1986) recommend
5
that sagebrush and other shrubs be plantedin dif- After 3 to 5 years, the mother plants should pro-
ferent rows than grasses andforbs. Because grasses duce seed. Competingvegetation canbe clearedin
and forbs develop more quickly, they may keep strips or in spots aroundthe mother plants using
shrubs from becoming established. This planting machinery or herbicides. This technique can help
technique also requires less shrub seed. Competi- maintain big sagebrush stands thatreceive heavy
tionwithinthe seed mixture is apparently not as useyear afl;eryear (Wagstaffand Welch 1990).
much ofa problem when seed is sown aerially or Heavy grazingmayreduce seed stalk (andhence
broadcast onto a prepared firm seedbed. The more seed) production to one-thirtieth or one-fiftieth of
diverse microhabitats available for seed placement normal (WagstaffandWelch 1991).
apparentlyreduce competition (Young and Evans
1986). CONCLUSIONS
Transplanting Bareroot and 'Gordon Creek' is a superior Wyomingbig sage-
brush germplasm for revegetatingmule deer range,
Containerized Stock
sage grouse habitat, and forrestoring disturbed
Expense limits the usefulness oftransplanting lands. It was preferred bywintering deer andhad a
bareroot or containerized stock to small, critical ar- high growth rate on all three test sites. It can raise
eas, orto seed increase gardens or demonstration the level ofenergy, protein, phosphorus, and ceu-o-
plots. Planting stock shouldbe at least 5 to 8 inches tene inthe diet ofa number ofvidntering animals.
tall, overwintered in anunheated nurserybed or 'Gordon Creek' big sagebrush canbe estabUshed
lathhouse. The stock canbe transplanted as soon as by several techniques. It appears to be widely
the soil can be tilledin the spring. We recommend adapted and can be grown on sites with the follow-
transplanting properly hardened stockin early ing physical characteristic?:
spring. However, containerized stock canbe suc- 1. Mean annual precipitation ofat least 10 inches.
cessfully transplantedinthe summer ifit receives 2. Deep to shallow, well-drained soils.
adequate irrigation during the first growing season. 3. Clay content up to 55 percent.
For each transplant, an area offrom 0.5 to 1 4. Soil pH between 6.6 and 8.8.
square foot must be cleared ofall competingplants. 5. Growing season ofat least 80 days.
This canbe done by mixingthe soil and killingtops,
roots, stolons, and rhizomes ofcompeting species REFERENCES
with a shovel. Soil must be packed firmly around
the transplant's entire root system. To enhance sur- Bhat, R. B.; Welch, Bruce L.; Weber, D. J.;
vival and growth, a 1- to 3-inch deep basin shouldbe McArthur, E. Diu-ant. 1990. Mid-winter protein,
constructed aroundthe stem to catchwater. In ex- phosphorus, and digestibility ofChrysothamnus
tremely dry areas or during dry periods, the basin nauseosus subspecies. Joiimal ofRange Manage-
can be filled withwater. For containerized stock, ment. 43: 177-179.
the growingmedivun shouldbe coveredwith 0.5 inch Bunderson, E. D.; Welch, Bruce L.; Weber, D. J.
ofsoil. This prevents the growing medium from act- 1986. In vitro digestibility ofJuniperus osteo-
ing as a wick and drjdng out the transplant. First sperma (Torr.) Little from 17 Utah sites. Forest
year survival rates shouldbe 80 percent or higher. Science. 32: 834-840.
Clary, Warren P.; Welch, Bruce L.; Booth, Gordon D.
"Mother Plant" 1988. Invitro digestion experiments: importance
ofvariationbetween inocula donors. Journal of
This technique combines transplanting andnatu- Wildlife Management. 52: 358-361.
ral seed dispersal. Shrubs establishedbytrans- Jacobson, Tracy L. C; Welch, Bruce L. 1986. Plant-
planting can serve as mother plants to produce ing depth of'Hobble Creek' mountainbig sage-
seeds for dispersal. This technique canbe used after brush seed. Great Basin NaturaUst. 47: 497-499.
a fire or some other disturbance has destroyed a na- Jensen, Earl H.; Borchert, James W. 1988. Soil sur-
tive sagebrush stand. The reduction or absence of vey ofCarbonArea, Utah. Price, UT: U.S. Depart-
the native stand's residual seed enhances the oppor- ment ofAgriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
tunity to establish a superior germplasm with this 294
p.
technique. The mother plants are planted as con- McArthur, E. Durant; Welch, Bruce L. 1982. Growth
tainerized or bareroot stock on a 50- by 50-foot grid rate differences among big sagebrush (Artemisia
throughout the site. Successful estabhshment and tridentata) accessions and subspecies. Joimial of
growth ofthe mother plants may require the plants Range Management. 35: 396-401.
to be individually fertilized, irrigated, fenced, or
otherwise caredfor.
6