Effects of defoliating bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum [Pursh] Scribn. & Smith) to increase the quality of regrowth available on Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni Bailey) winter range were studied from 1988 through 1990. Percent calcium, phosphorus, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and available forage (kg/ha DM) of regrowth present on control, spring-defoliated, and fall-defoliated plots were determined in November of 1988 and 1989, and April of 1989 and 1990. Spring conditioning did not affect the percentage of calcium and phosphorus, or available forage compared to the current year's growth in either November or April. Fall conditioning increased digestibility and increased the phosphorus concentration, but decreased available forage compared to the control and spring-conditioned forage in November. Fall conditioning may create a deficit of forage if regrowth is not achieved. Additional research is needed on defoliation during the early phenological time-period of bluebunch wheatgrass to improve the forage quality of elk winter ranges. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.