VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Eragrostis intermedia | Plains Lovegrass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Plains lovegrass produces quality forage on the grazing lands of Arizona
and New Mexico [23,25,26].  It is an important cattle forage species in
oak woodland of southern Arizona [33].  However, because it has a high
seedstalk to leaf ratio it is a relatively low forage producer [31].

Cattle in south-central Arizona ate plains lovegrass at 45 percent of
availability.  Plains lovegrass was intermediate in preference and
production compared to other grasses growing on the range [14].

Upland game birds eat plains lovegrass seeds [31,46].


PALATABILITY : 
Plains lovegrass is palatable [46].  Even on steeper slopes it is often
the first species to be grazed [26].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Plains lovegrass was collected in Sutton County, Texas, in 1973.
Nutrient composition (percent) of leaves and stems was as follows [27]:

           Water    Ash    Cell Wall   Phosphorus   Protein   DOM*

July        59       8        70          0.12         7       52   
October     54       7        69          0.09         6       50
November    37       9        72          0.11         5       37

*DOM:  Digestible Organic Matter


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Plains lovegrass has decreased in abundance in Arizona.  This reduction
is probably the result of long-continued grazing.  Because of its
palatability and early greening habit, plains lovegrass is often
overgrazed in early spring [26].  To renew its vigor [31] and also allow
for seed production and establishment of seedlings [32], plains lovegrass
should be rested from grazing during July and August about every third
year [31]. 

In southeastern Arizona, plains lovegrass was measured in 1983 on
grassland ungrazed since 1968 and on adjacent grazed grassland.  Plains
lovegrass was increasing on the ungrazed area, but not on adjacent
grazed sites. In an area ungrazed since the early 1950's, plains
lovegrass occurred in dense, nearly pure stands [8].  In the same area
in 1990, plains lovegrass made up 15 percent of canopy cover on ungrazed
quadrats, but only 5 percent on grazed quadrats [5].  The grass canopy
was significantly taller (p<.01) where it was protected from grazing.
Plains lovegrass is not found in pure stands in areas where it is grazed
[31].

Plains lovegrass production in southern Arizona semidesert grasslands is
related to current summer rainfall and also to rainfall during previous
growing periods [32].  (See SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT)

Plains lovegrass in southwestern semidesert grass-shrub ranges is
favored by light to moderate grazing.  When overgrazed, the plants lose
vigor, die, and are replaced by less palatable species [32].  Plains
lovegrass is a component of Southern Plains grasslands which, when
overgrazed, are invaded by large-shrub monocultures and/or by short
semishrubs [12].  Plains lovegrass in south-central Arizona grasslands
has been greatly reduced where mesquite (Prosopis spp.) has invaded the
range [37].

In the Southwest, plains lovegrass and other native species do not
reestablish in areas planted with the African species Lehmann and
weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana and E. curvula).  In
southeastern Arizona, areas of the Appleton-Whittell Research Sanctuary
were seeded with mixtures of Lehmann and weeping lovegrass in the 1940's
and 1950's.  By 1984, African lovegrasses covered more than 50 percent
of the ground; native grass cover was reduced by nearly 60 percent.
Plains lovegrass was one of the indigenous grasses significantly
reduced.  Nearby unseeded areas supported mixtures of native herbs,
shrubs, and perennial grasses including plains lovegrass.  Since cattle
were removed in 1968, species-rich plant assemblages have developed on
the Sanctuary in all areas except those planted with African lovegrasses
[6].

Plains lovegrass seed is available commercially [17].

Related categories for Species: Eragrostis intermedia | Plains Lovegrass