FEASIBILITY OF USING CATTLE TO DISPERSE CICER MILKVETCH (ASTRAGALUS-CICER L) SEED IN PASTURES

The passage of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) through the diges tive tract of cattle was examined in relation to recovery, germination , and establishment. About 86% of seed ingested was recovered over a 4 -d period. Most seed was excreted 24-48 h after ingestion and soft see d was reduced by about 3% for every 24-h period spent in the digestive tract. However, the field observation of 20 established plants indica tes low efficiency of this method for dispersal of cicer milkvetch.