Investigations into cultural practices to raise native forbs. Johnson, Robert^*,1, Anderson, Val Jo¹, Roundy, Bruce¹, ¹ Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

ABSTRACT- Investigations into native forb production were evaluated at the BYU Spanish Fork Farm for seven different forb species. Plants were evaluated based on a combination of watering, mulch, and within row spacings. First season growth and seed production of forb species yielded various results. While seed production is traditionally not expected until the second season, Sphaeralcea species and Tragapogon dubius, yielded significant amounts of seed the first season following spring transplanting. Non-aggressive diminutive plant species demonstrated greater mortality than larger species. Tragapogon, though considered a biennial, showed annual tendencies under cultivation. Seed harvesting of Tragapogon required daily collecting over a two month period to maximize yield. Flowering and seed production of Sphaeralcea species was delayed over naturally occurring populations. Mulch longevity varied as expected with paper mulch exhibiting various stages of decay by mid-season; plastic mulch in fair condition at the end of the growing season, and weed fabric most enduring. Plot maintenance (weeding) varied by mulch type. Result differences due to water delivery system the first season were minimal. Seed yield as a factor of row spacing was not apparent since competitive interactions, at least in several species, was not fully realized the first season.

KEY WORDS: