The Suitability of Legumes for Rangeland Interseeding and as Grasshopper Food Plants

Abstract

Fifteen legume varieties (selections representing 7 species) which have some potential for reseeding into rangeland were evaluated in the laboratory and in the field as to their suitability as food plants for several species of rangeland grasshoppers. Varieties of alfalfa, trefoil, and cicer milkvetch were less preferred than varieties of sanfoin, sweetclover, hairy vetch, and crown vetch. Three plant varieties, alfalfa (Mandan composite-1), birdsfoot trefoil (Cree), and cicer milkvetch (Mandan Composite-2) were the least preferred of the varieties tested based on the rate of grasshopper development and weight of adults reared on the test plants, the time spent feeding during a 30-min period, and plant mortality and % leaf reduction in a field test. Alfalfa appeared to have the greatest potential for reseeding on arid rangeland sites. Nonpreference is the main resistance factor that should be used when screening rangeland plants for grasshopper feeding preferences.