Evaluating the effects of ruminal incubation and abomasal enzymatic digestion on the germination potential of Bromus tectorum

Abstract

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  Targeted grazing is a management strategy for fuel reduction and cheatgrass control in the Great Basin. However, concerns of cattle acting as endozoochorous seed dispersal agents of invasive grass species have been expressed.

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  In vitro and in situ techniques of ruminal fermentation and enzymatic digestion were employed to evaluate seed mortality.

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  Our results showed a nearly complete inhibition of germination after 36 hours in the rumen followed by 3 hours in the abomasum.

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  Our results indicate cattle grazing cheatgrass-infested rangelands will not spread cheatgrass seed via excrement.

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  Cheatgrass seeds consumed in the fall will have a slight lag in microbial degradation.