Doucette et al measured the effects of cattle digestion on the viability of 7 plant species to determine if cattle could be used as rangeland seed dispersal agents for these species. Seed characteristics (weight, size, smoothness, hardness) varied by species, and therefore, effects of digestion also varied by species. This included decreased viability, physical damage, and different passage rates. Woods rose (Rosa woodsii) and snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) had the greatest recovery of viable seeds due to their increased seed hardness, size, and weight while western wheatgrass (Pascopyrom smithii) had very low recovery due to it's reduced weight and long residence time in the rumen. The results of this study indicate that cattle reseeding could potentially be used with some native rangeland species while it is inappropriate for others. However, it is also important to remember that this study did not investigate the rate of seed germination after cattle passage in the field, which is dependent on several environmental factors that require further research.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.