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Evaluation of Polycross Progenies of Cicer Milkvetch for Palatability by Sheep 1
Author(s) -
Townsend C. E.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1986.0011183x002600020035x
Subject(s) - palatability , biology , forage , ovis , grazing , agronomy , legume , zoology , ecology , food science
Cicer milkvetch ( Astragalus cicer L.), a nonbloat‐inducing forage legume, has many traits that make it a potentially desirable species. Relatively little information, however, is available on animal acceptance of cicer milkvetch forage. The objective of this study was to determine if the component polycross progenies of ‘Monarch’ differed in palatability as measured by grazing sheep ( Ovis aries ) offered a choice of progenies. The progenies were evaluated in a spaceplanted, irrigated nursery during three grazing cycles in 1980 and two grazing cycles in 1981. Progenies differed significantly ( P ≦ 0.05) for grazing score (palatability) during four of the five cycles. Several progenies ranked consistently high for palatability, while other progenies ranked consistently low. None of the Monarch progenies, however, were significantly more palatable than ‘Lutana’. All sheep remained healthy and suffered no observable side effects during the course of the study. Plant height, vigor, and flowering score were not related to palatability of progenies. The results suggest that it may be possible to improve the palatability of cicer milkvetch by breeding and selection.