Cultural Practices for Native Forb Seed Production

Oregon State University, Malheur Exp. Sta. Ontario

AuthorsAuthorsClint Shock, Erik Feibert, M. SaundersClint Shock, Erik Feibert, M. Saunders

Joey Ishida, and Corey RansomJoey Ishida, and Corey Ransom

Why try SDI irrigation?Why try SDI irrigation?1.1. Cultivated seed production Cultivated seed production

requires dependable production. requires dependable production.

2.2. Excess water stress has hurts Excess water stress has hurts flowering and seed set.flowering and seed set.

3.3. Total water requirements are Total water requirements are unknown, but probably are low. unknown, but probably are low.

4.4. Furrow and sprinkler irrigation Furrow and sprinkler irrigation encourage weeds and disease.encourage weeds and disease.

ObjectivesObjectives

Test SDI for stable, efficient Test SDI for stable, efficient native forb seed production native forb seed production using small amounts of using small amounts of supplemental irrigation water.supplemental irrigation water.

1/10 acre of 7 Species1/10 acre of 7 SpeciesE. umbellatumE. umbellatum, Sulfur, Sulfur--flower buckwheat flower buckwheat

P. acuminatusP. acuminatus,, Sand penstemon Sand penstemon P. deustusP. deustus, Hot rock penstemonHot rock penstemonP. speciosusP. speciosus, Showy penstemonShowy penstemon

LomatiumLomatium grayigrayi, Gray , Gray biscuitrootbiscuitrootL. dissectum,L. dissectum, Fernleaf biscuitroot Fernleaf biscuitroot L. triternatum,L. triternatum, NineleafNineleaf biscuitrootbiscuitroot

DesignDesignDrip tape Drip tape burriedburried 12 inches deep12 inches deep

Tape 5 feet apartTape 5 feet apart

TT--tape TSX 515tape TSX 515--1616--340340

3030--inch beds, seed drilled 15” to inch beds, seed drilled 15” to each side of the tape each side of the tape

Forbs established in 2005 using Forbs established in 2005 using 5.5”, for 2006 0, 4.8, 8.7 inches.5.5”, for 2006 0, 4.8, 8.7 inches.

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul0

1

2

3

4

Prec

ipita

tion

(inch

es)

Typical and actual rainfall

2005 - 2006 average

Penstemon acuminatusSand penstemon

138 153 156 179 187

Day of year

10

15

20

25

30

Volu

met

ric w

ater

con

tent

, %

Soil water content for the 0 - 36 inch depth forPenstemon acuminatum

2 in 1 in 0 in

flowering ends harvest

8.7 in 4.8 in 0 inWater applied in 4 irrigations

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700Se

ed y

ield

(lb/

acre

)

Seed yield in response to irrigation forPenstemon acuminatum

Penstemon speciosusRoyal or Sagebrush penstemon

138 153 156 179 187Day of year

10

15

20

25

30

Volu

met

ric w

ater

con

tent

, %Soil water content at the 0 - 36 inch depth for

Penstemon speciosus

2 in 1 in 0 in

mid flowering

8.7 in 4.8 in 0 inWater applied in 4 irrigations

0

100

200

300Se

ed y

ield

(lb/

acre

)

Seed yield in response to irrigation forPenstemon speciosus

Penstemon deustusHotrock penstemon

8.7 in 4.8 in 0 inWater applied in 4 irrigations

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400Se

ed y

ield

(lb/

acre

)

Seed yield in response to irrigation forPenstemon deustus

Eriogonum umbellatumEriogonum umbellatumSulfur buckwheatSulfur buckwheat

138 153 156 179 187

Day of year

10

15

20

25

30

Volu

met

ric w

ater

con

tent

, %Soil water content at the 0 - 36 inch depth for

Eriogonum umbellatum

2 in 1 in 0 in

flowering starts

8.7 in 4.8 in 0 inWater applied in 4 irrigations

0

100

200

300

400Se

ed y

ield

(lb/

acre

)

Seed yield in response to irrigation forEriogonum umbellatum

a

b

b