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Graminae
Common names
Alkali sacaton (New Mexico)
Description
A coarse, tough perennial, 80-100 cm tall, growing in large
dense clumps. The plant is pale green with a slightly greyish cast. The
leaves are firm and fibrous, up to 50 cm long and 0.5 cm wide. The seed-heads
are loose and open, with widely spreading branches, 30-45 cm long and 15-25
cm wide (Humphrey, 1960a, b).
Distribution
Alkaline soils in Mexico and the western United States.
Altitude range
800-2 000 m in Arizona.
Soil requirements
It occurs on fine-textured, often alkaline soils.
Land preparation for establishment
A good seed-bed is needed.
Sowing methods
Only large seeds more than one year old should be planted,
when soil moisture is 14 percent or higher (one atmosphere tension or less),
when probabilities of weekly precipitation are greatest and when soil temperatures
are near 30°C. The planting site should be saturated with water just
before planting. If storms do not yield at least 6 mm of rain within the
first five days, the planting site must be rewatered to saturation.
Grazing management
Graze during the spring and summer only.
Suitability for hay and
silage
It makes fair-quality hay when cut during the bloom stage.
Palatability
When growing vigorously it gives fair to good forage for horses
and cattle, but not for sheep. When dry it is avoided by all stock (Humphrey,
1960a, b).
Natural habitat
On bottom lands and flats, sandy plateaux and washes.
Economics
A major component of pastures in many valleys in New Mexico
(Malcolm, 1971).
Further reading
Humphrey, 1960a.
Tolerance to salinity
It can use drainage waters with salinities up to 10-15 mmhos
conductivity (le Houérou, 1977a, b).
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