Evidence for palatability variation between the sex phenotypes of bladder saltbush from small-plot grazing trials

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dc.contributor.authorWalsh, D.
dc.contributor.authorAndrew, M.
dc.contributor.authorSinclair, R.
dc.contributor.authorColeman, D.
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description© CSIRO 2005
dc.description.abstractThis paper reports the results of the first intensive grazing trials to study palatability variation between the sex phenotypes of bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria Hew. ex Benth.). The results show that Merino sheep preferentially graze female shrubs over male and bisexual shrubs in South Australia, which supports earlier paddock-scale observations made in New South Wales. Male shrubs with higher densities of flower spikes were consumed less than those with lower densities. However, when male flowers were small and/or sparse, the removal of male flowers by clipping did not significantly increase the consumption of male shrubs. Female shrubs with very low or very high densities of fruit tended to be consumed significantly more than those with moderate fruit densities. Other physical aspects such as plant growth habit and foliage density did not have a consistent influence on grazing behaviour. Chemical differences between the sex phenotypes are implicated. The presence of palatability variation between the sex phenotypes suggests that there is potential to refine the existing use of bladder saltbush as an indicator species in southern Australia.
dc.identifier.citationThe Rangeland Journal, 2005; 27(2):89-96
dc.identifier.doi10.1071/RJ05007
dc.identifier.issn1036-9872
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/16534
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAustralian Rangeland Soc
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1071/rj05007
dc.subjectAtriplex vesicaria
dc.subjectrangelands
dc.subjectselective grazing
dc.titleEvidence for palatability variation between the sex phenotypes of bladder saltbush from small-plot grazing trials
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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