| | |
 |
|
| 
| ||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Wildlife, Animals, and Plants |
|
|||
|
VALUE AND USE
IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE:Green needlegrass is considered "good" forage based on palatability, nutritive content, and dependability as a forage supply [98,111,128]. The awns do not trouble livestock [98,128]. Green needlegrass is used for hay and pasture production [18,133] and can produce good quality hay on favorable sites [128]. The seeds of green needlegrass are eaten by small mammals and songbirds, such as Vesper sparrow [7,127,139]. It is eaten by elk [93,122], Kaibab mule deer [69], and cattle [93].
PALATABILITY:Green needlegrass is moderately to highly palatable to cattle all year, more palatable when green [18,42,50,127,139]. It is unpalatable to bison once it is ripe [104]. Energy and protein content have been rated as fair [31]. The palatability of green needlegrass for livestock and wildlife species is rated as follows [31]:
NUTRITIONAL VALUE:Green needlegrass is a highly nutritious forage plant [42,79]. The highest protein content is in the early leaf stage and crude fiber content increases as development progresses [61]. Johnston and Bezeau [74] rate the nutritive value of green needlegrass in Alberta, Canada:
The food value of green needlegrass for wildlife species is rated as follows [31]:
COVER VALUE:Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, northern shovelers, and pintails frequently select green needlegrass for nest sites because of its height [34,130]. It also provides additional concealment of nest sites for Brewer's and Vesper sparrow [7]. Grosz [53] observed green needlegrass at sharp-tailed grouse brood sites. The value of green needlegrass as cover for domestic animals and wildlife is rated as follows [31]:
VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES:Green needlegrass is relatively easy to establish [34]. It has been used in cool-season seeding mixtures, because of its early spring growth; it stays green for a long time, tolerates cold well, and has good seedling vigor. A problem with seed dormancy has hindered its use (see Botanical Characteristics, Regeneration Processes) [128]. Green needlegrass has been used to seed rangelands, pastures, and hay and to stabilize erosive sandy to clayey soils in the northern Great Plains [129,139]. It has been planted on reclaimed strip-mined sites in North Dakota [21,28] and Montana, as a part of native species grass seed mixtures on strip-mined lands [24,28,38]. Green needlegrass "has good potential for revegetation of abused rangeland" [42]. If green needlegrass is successfully established, it may persist as a dominant species on revegetated mined lands [30].
OTHER USES AND VALUES:No entry
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:Green needlegrass decreases with grazing and spring deferment will benefit the grass [50,68,89,91,110,128]. It is grasshopper resistant and has no major diseases, but can occasionally be leaf-rust infested [139]. The presence of green needlegrass "on the more moist north-facing grasslands" indicates grazing of light to moderate levels in South Dakota [27]. It is a dominant grass on most upland range sites in high or excellent range condition [36,48]. Green needlegrass requires dormant fall plating [66]. Sites and planting dates must be chosen with moisture and germination in mind [44].
Related categories for SPECIES: Nassella viridula | Green Needlegrass |
 |
 | |
| |
| |
| Content on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities. | |
| |
|
About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy | Links Directory |
| 1Up Info All Rights reserved. Site best viewed in 800 x 600 resolution. |
