Evaluation of kochia as a high yielding forage crop for saline soils
Date
1986-02-20
Authors
Green, D.
Knipfel, J.
Kernan, J.
Coxworth, E.
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Abstract
Forage dry matter yields of up to 11,670 kg/ha, at a soil conductivity of 12 ms/cm, were measured in three years of trials at several saline sites in Saskatchewan. Feed values were comparable to common hays, based on in vitro analyses and a digestibility and intake trial done with sheep. Salt accumulation in kochia forage was higher than other forages but was calculated to be not significant in saline soil reclamation. Potassium was the major cation accumulated by kochia forage even though the saline soils were high in soluble sodium and magnesium cations. A Texas accession gave a much higher forage yield in a greenhouse trial than a Saskatchewan selection, and did not set seed in greenhouse and field trials. Further work is needed to turn this wild plant into a crop is discussed.
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Soils and Crops Workshop