PRELIMINARY REPORT ON ALASKA SURVEY OF FORAGE PLANTS ANP THEIR DISEASESDU~ING SUMMER OF 1957.

James G. Dicksob.' (Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station)

. .

Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station assisted by a gra?t fre>m. 'the Rockefeller Foundation.

The contin:uatiol). of the forage. crop surv.ey through the second summer added mate.rHHly to the data collected, the areas surveyed,. and the plant specimet1s· a:nci·seed lots obtained. The extreme contrast in weather condi­tib'ns during th~ two summer periods; cool and wet in 1956, w.arm and dry in 1957 ~ ·ptesented an unusual opportunity to study the influence of weather conclitfons on disease development on indigenous forage plants as well as s:ecurihg de-failed notes on the behavior of grass and legume species under the· corttrast1.ng environmental conditions. A resurvey of s orne of the more important areas in 1957 also resulted in securing more reliable data on plant and disease development during the contrasting seasons and obtaining plant spec'imens at ·an earlier stage of development, especially whi~e in blossom, during the second year. This was important especially in the case of the 'legumes in whi~h'the fioral structures are the major characters used in identification dfsp~cies in the genera Astragalus, Oxytropis, and Vicia all .. abundantly ·represented in Alaska. Additional species not found during the first summ·er were collected in the re-survey of these important legume areas. ·.The survey of the new sections -- notably the Yukon and Kuskokwim Valleys', the Wra11gell Mountains,. an.d the hig~er altitudes of the Alaska, Kuskokwim, .:Talkeetna, Chugach Mountains --·added materially to the in-

. formation on the distribution of species and resulted, in .the collection of specb:nens arid seed of a number. of species and varieties not founci in 1956. The ·data secured on plants and their diseases, on new species and varieties. on ·tange mamigement. and a suggested outline for a contin~ing research program' are included under thE; several headings that follow.

< •• • ··,· •

WEA-THER CONDITIONS CONTRASTED FOR THE 1956 and 1957 SEASONS

A brief summary of the climatological data for the two seasons is in­cluded in the .. preliminary report. The final report will attempt a more de­tailed analysis of envir.onment for the two seasons and its relation to plant development, seed production a.nd diseases present for the several grasses

. arid legu~es,: .. ~ ·.: .::-::!: .··. . . '

<' · W'inter conditions differed in the two years and winter damage was sevetE(i:i-{1957. I~ 1957 the winter WCj.S :celGttbr.e1y :mild with .~n e::tr.ly spring

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--period of·~arm weather of long enough duration to ~break dormancy in perennials including grasses and legumes. This was followed by a period of low temperature befor-e---the---fina-1-s-prirrg opening that occurred earlier than in the previous season. As a result winter killing of grasses and legumes was severe. Lawns of Poa especially. were damaged severely and fields ofBromus i.nermis suffered heavy damage especially in locations where snow cover was absent. The legl.lffie nurseries at Palp.1er and Fair­banks were damaged. The field plots of hybrid material from the Medicago falcata x M. sativa were eliminated at Palmer, although damage toM. falcata was not severe. Fields and plots of Trifolium and Melilotus were damaged severely in the interior areas. Stands of both grasses and legumes in pro­tected locations along roadsides and clearings and not subjected to gr·azing or cutting were not damaged severely although more root and crown rot was evident than in 1956. The effect of cutting and grazing on survival of stands of grasses and legumes was acq.entuated greatly under the conditions of 195 7. As emphasized in the earlier report, management pra.~tices .pla.y an impqrtant role in the Sl,lrvival of forage perennials under A.laskp.,cond~t~ons. notably intlie case of introduced grass and legume varieties.

Co!itiriued dry. clear weather during July and August of 1:9,~ 7 through­out the I~terior ·of Alaska influenced both plant and disease development. Yield of cereals •. gr-asses, legumes, aml potatoes wer~:reduced especially w_J:lefe·located on up'i_anq fields in light soils. Plant hetgbt and leaf develop­ment of fuariy plant 'species in these interior areas were appreciably less than in 1956, however. flower and seed development generally were better than in 1956. The diseases present}P~-~wise were different in these areas. Leaf spots and blights so abundant ,oli lli~ grasses in 1956 were limited in­distribution in 1 9 57 •. although the Helml.nthosporium blights of the grasses, especially on Bromus sp •• were abundant in both years. Powdery mildew and rusts were about equally severe in the two seasons. Tqe <.:black stem disease on legumes was severe on all species in 195(). and. p:r;q.ctically absent in 1957. On these legume plants as in the grasses, the. povvqery mildew and rusts were equally severe in the two seasons. The absence of leaf spots and black stem in 1957 and the prevalence of powdery mildew and rust facili­tated selection of milqew and ,rust resistant,.clones this past summer. Seed­lots from single plants apparently resistaqt _were selected in Bromus, Poa. Agropyron~ ... Astragalus. Hedysarum, Ox)rtropis. and Trifolium sp.

RE-SURVEY O:F MATANUSKA. TANANA~ .COPPER AND .. UPPER YUKON vALLEYS .·: c .•

. . : ,· .i. ~- · . . ·In 1956 many of the indigenous legumes collected in these areas were

past flowering and species identification frequently was impossible. A re­survey conducted earlier in tbe 1957 season resulted in collecting specimens in flower as well as a recheck on diseaSe$ present. Several additional species of legumes,'' grasses and herbals and some additional diseases were

., t-· .

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fourid. Melampsora lini on the perennial wild flax (Linum: lewisii) was present. in epidemic form in the open meadows near, Eagle. This flax· was fully mature in 19()6 although the rust was probably present. Stripe rust incited by Puccinia glumarum was prevalent again on Agropyron sp. at Eagle. Barley and wheat sown ne.ar the rusted grasses was not rusted although the season was too dry for extensive spread of the pathogen. Stripe rust on the same hosts was found near Circle in 195·7·. Thecaphora deformans on ~-\.s.tragalus wa.s abundant in the Copper Center area at several locations not founq in 1956. N:ematodes inciting galls on several grasses were found in new locations az:I.d o~ additional genera of grasses -- notably Agropyron, Arctagrostis, and Bromus as well as Calamagrostis. The yellows disease of Lupinus occurred more abundantly than in 1956 and symptoms appeared more like Witches' Broom or Aster Yellows type of proliferation and ex­cessive bud development. Both leaf hopper and aphid populations were larger and more widely distributed than in 1956. In contrast the yellow dwarf on barley, oats, and wheat was much less prevalent in the Matanuska and Tanana farm~ng areas than in 1956. Seeds of plants showing unusual growth h_abits or resista;llce to disease were collected-in both the grasses and legumes. Plants of Lupinus perennis var. nootkatensis and L. arcticus showing the yellows .ciisease were transplanted to an isolated plot at Palmer for virus transm~ssion stuc1ies .and possible relation of this virus to witches \broom of pot~to that occurs sparcely in Alaska fields of potato. :.ur:-.

NEW AREAS SURVEYED IN 1957

As mentioned earlier in the report, additional areas were surveyed in 1957. Several regions presently important as natural grazing areas for caribou, bison, sheep,. and goats and possible summer grazing for domestic sheep and cattle. were surveyed. Some of these represented overgrazed range on which plant species survival might be evaluated under conditions of high grazing pressure and high concentration of wild game. The very limited areas covere,d and time devoted,to the study do not warrant more than brief comments on the problem pf.:range management and range carry­ing capacity that. is befqre .the pepartment .eLFish and Wild life· and to which·· their persm:metare dev,ot~ng considerable study. This subject will-be treated

:under a l~t~r ~;action of the report. However;.- the survey of these areas ex­:) .tended somewhat. the range of certain species of grasses and legumes and in­

~, dice3:ted differential grazing for several species.

, . Certain grass and legume species, or ecotypes of the species appeared . ,well ada,pt~d ,a.ver a.:_yvide range of altitude as illustrated at several locations . . :Bromus.,pump~llianus· and variety arcticus occur widely distributed in Alaska

from sea level to 5, 000 feet elevation. Several varieties including pacificus, ranging from stolon forms to distinctly bunch type occur in localized areas in the Yukon and Kusko~wim ·Valleys. , The abundance· of this Bromus species at the higher elev:ations· has not been mentioned previously in so far as the

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writer is aware. • On the North" and West slopes of the ·polychrome Moun- . tains in Mount McKinley National Park this grass was well established with rhizome development and short leafy culms at elevations up to 5, 000 feet. In several locations in the Talkeetna and Mentasta ranges a similar distri­bution was noted with similar growth habit. One of the most extensive stands of this species found in Alaska was near timber line and above on the ridges aloi).g the Eklutna and Eagle River Valleys. Notable also in these latter areas was the extensive development of Lupinus perennis var. nootkatensis the dominant Lupinus species on the Kenai Peninsula. ~~odiak and the Aleutians where is occurs more generally at low elevations. Similarly ecotypes of

. Festuca rubra, F. ovina, and F. altaica occur from sea level on the Alaska Peninsula to altitudes of 6, OOOfeet in;the interior. Small, fine-leafed types occur at high altitudes in contrast to the coarser, larger types at lower alti­tudes. All appear to be bunch grass in growth habit. F. elatior appears well adapted to conditions at Palmer, Fairbanks,. and on theKenai Peninsula where selected ·plants produce abundant seed. Species in the genera Agrostis.· Alopecuris, Calamagrostis, Elymus, Hierochloe, Poa, and Trisetum show similar variation in types· over the range of their distribution in Alaska .

• .i .. .. . The survey of the Kuskokwim and especially'the lower Yukon Valley

during the summer 6( 195'7' resulted in extensive collections of both indigen­ous and introduced varieties of grasses and legumes. The Yukon River was an important channel of travel to the interior 50 years ago. Barges and river boats moved many tons of hay into the interior of Alaska during the period of the 1.1gold rush". Extensive areas of hay meadows also were estab­lished at stragetic ports notably at Mountain ViUa·ge. Holy Cross, 'Ruby, Rampart, Fort Yukon, Circle, and Eagle in Alaska and Dawson· and White­horse in Yukon Territory. · The study of forage plant distribution both native and· introduced appeared especially important in relation to forage crops of Alaska, and their use in agriculture. ··

. it·.

The problem of crop-plant adaptation was studied in relation to the species introduced 50 years ago along these rivers of commerce. ·While the bush plane on pontoons and skis and the radio telephone ·have largely re­placed the old wood.:..burning rivet·steamer and·horse-drawn bob sled, the villages along the rivers have receded into theiri own small units of riatives and a few white families in charge of schools, clinics, and stores ·sup:p6rted by the Alaska Native Service. · As remnants of old buildings,· old boats,··old sleds are reminders of early periods, so also are the small meadows and isolated groups of established clovers, grasses .and other introduced plants on the sites of former hay meadows or along the village river front~· Many indigenous species of forage plants also flourish in the areas cleared eadier of forest or on natural sloughs, meadows, and open hillsides.· · · · ·

: '.•

Several introduced and indigenous species w·ere found and seed collected through these areas. On the lower Yukon and Kuskokwim, Bromus pumpe llianus

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and the variety pacificus were, represented by a l:arge variety of plant types. They were growing principally on well-drained soil sites sucl:l. . ,. as sand dune's, high river .banks, and low hills. Vast meadows of.Cala-:-. · .. magrostis canadensis occurred on the open flood-plains of the :rivervaU~ys. These ·meadows were interspersed in definite patterns oetween the .highe;r .. river bars·covered by cottonwood, poplar, bircQ.•and spruce·. On the · · '

. wett~r p6rt~ons of these meadows Sedges and Beckmannia syzigachne were· ·. ·equally· prevale·nt, These grasses occurred in theS;e particular locations in almost pure stands. The alluvial meadows of. deep soils hav.E; b.een · .... leveled by water actions so that harvesting machinery might be operated · easily over many acres. Such m·eadows undoubt~.dly.furnished much of the hay for horse feed during the earlier period desc;::ribed. An elderly inhabi­tan~ of the Village of Ruby reported that during the period from 1900-1906, 2, 000 head of horses were wintered at this location on pasture and 1:1ay from these n:ie'adows. At present the. meadows are used qnly by the ~umerous moose iri ~he area. ·Large quantities of 3xcelient s~ed of Cal;::u::n:agrostis ':·, are· available for harvest and use. in reseeding burned area.s '!"'.hen such . . .. conservation measures are put into practice in A,.laska. · ·· ·.'~·:-.;

··· ··Established,· introduced grass and legume species wer~ found in many locations. · In' the ·grasses, Bromus inermis was well establi~hed at' Aniak, McGrath, Holy Cross, Koyukuk, F'ort Yukon;. Circle and Eagle •. This gr~ss cilso has been introduced recently for seeding down air port areas. at Mcprath,

. Nulato; and· Galena· where it has become welL established under infrequent~· , . butting. Both ::Poa 'pratensis and P. co:mpres·s<a.;w.ere well established at most

of the old settle merits along· the YUkon River; and seed from outf;)tanding clones was: collected. 'Agrostis alba and Agropyron.~repens also were .present in most areas. Notably Phleum pratense was :not.•found. along the lowe.r Y11kon

·although it was abundant on the upper Yukon. Among the introducedl~gu,:mes . ,6f interest 'were numerous plant types of Trifolium repens including the. ;

·· ·Ladino and' T. hybridum. Seed from superior plants w.as collected. Medicago fatcata was well established at Rampart where it was introduced at .. the experi­ment station about 1906. · Vicia sp. both introduced and nativ.e w:ere weli..re­presente.d at several locations. Native legumes of possible importanc~jn ·Alaska 13-griculture·and collected during the:survey were Astragalus umhellatus,

· · Eedysatum mackenzii or H~ ·alpinum sbsp, · americanum and t}J.e variety .. grandiflora. The large flowered (grandiflora) including f<;>rms ,wj.th pur,ple, .k .. , I.. . .. _ .. ,

blue, and white flower color were collected near the native villages in the cent:i•ai and upper Yukon Valley. The native Indians reported the use of the fleshy' roots arid large crown-buds as a very des.i~able food, 'especially during :the· ·early spring. The concentration of. these forms near the villages iri,d.icated · pos~ible Iridian propagation during an earlier period, Lathyrus rnariti~us and L. palustris were prevalent along.coastal plains .and salt-wat~r inlets. ;,

'The plant specimens and seed lots collected in 1957· added to thos.e. ob­tained 'in 1956,' are a fairly representative ooilection .. of forage . .plants._ growing

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in areas south of the Brooks Range of Alaska1. Most of the species of · ·

Gramineae and Leguminoseae, listed by Hulten were found and some new · species and varieties were collected. Diseases prevalent on these plants were collected and identified and they add materially to the previously published lists. The final report will include the detc;dled listings and descriptions of these plants and diseases for publication. Specimens ·will be mounteq_and filed in the herbaria of the National Museum 1 the Univers'ity of Alaska, the University of Wisconsin, and others where special studies of specific groups are in progress. '

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF SPECIAL RANGE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

During the survey in 1956 considerable attention was given to both summer and winter range conditions in relation to areas where cattle and· sheep· were estabilshed. These areas were located chiefly· along the coastal sections of Alaska, although, a few locations in the Matanuska and Tanaiia Valleys were studied also.

The 1957' survey included limited surveys of several ranges occupied by the bison in the Big Delta, caribou in the eastern Yukon and the· Talke·etna areas, and the sheep in the Mount McKinley National Park, Polychrome··: t· Ridge area. Notes were obtained also on the grasses and legumes graze(f by the nioose ·~nd other herbiferous animals in the other areas. , These· latter notes were based largely on plants or plant parts eaten and the · anitnal tracks· associated with these locations where the plants had been grazed. :.>

Some few direct observations were obtained of moose, caribou; and sheep actually feeding on grasses and legumes. Natural rarige areas heavily grazed'by cattle in the Knik and Wasilla sections .were resurveyed in 195·7;. The general plant condition, grass speCies composition and winter killing were determined on a number of cultivated pastures on farms: located ·in the Matanuska and Tanana Valleys, and on the Kenai Peninsula. As· stateq ; earlier under ''Weather Conditions", winter killing of grasses and legume·s under cultivation was severe in 1957, and therefore the data· on plant surVival under cutting and grazing represent extremes with relatively little differen­tial reaction of species. Brief reports on veg~tation present, and:t}i~·.effe.ct

on grazing and ground cover: for the sev:eral ·areas follow. ';'

Big Delta Bison Range _.;;.Dr. John Buckley, Fish and Wildlife Service, ": University of Alaska advised on this phase of the work. The Big Delta area situated between the Delta and Tanana Rivers was surveyed fro:m Harding Lake to Dot Lake' along the Alaska Highway and to Rapids Roadhouse along the -Richardson Highway. Side trips into the area were made in the vicinity of Big Delta, toward Clearwater Creek and Jarvis Bar to obtain data on the more heavily grazed areas. This Delta arearis a large flood plain com­posed··chiefly of sandy:..gravelly soils. Surrounding low hills· are covered

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with fine silty soils. Part of the area is covered by spruce, birch, and poplar forest with frequent open meadows. A total of nearly orie-thi~d of the area was burned in 1954 in the fire known as the ''Granite Mountaiq Burn. 11 Portions of the burned area have reseeded naturally: with heavy stands of Calamagrostis sp .... On the lighter and dryer soils· other grasses, notably. Elyrnus irinovatus and E. rnollis predominated .. In. the sections grazed less intensively Agropyron, Festuca •. ;poa, and. Trisetu.rn sp. l.n the grass:es; ·and Astragalus,. Hedysarum, Lupinus and Oxytropis sp. in the. legumes· w~re.:r~preserited in fair numbera. Experiw~rital pla,ntings of Bromus 'inermis and Phleurn pratense were made in ~ 955 on two sites in the burned area where bison grazing was heavy during the summer. Both grasses were established, although growth was not equal to the native grasses reseeded naturally in these and adjacent sites .. Graz.ing,on these grasses was .lieavy.l.ri 1957 and little seed. was pres.ent on .either the intra~ duced or native grasses. Lupinus perennis and L. arcticus present were not grazed heavily,. although the Hedysarum and Oxytropis sp ... were· grazed closely at these sites· and other.areas in the interior,:. vVJlile both calama­grostis and Elymus sho~ed heavy grazing, seed wa.s ·produced a~-d s9me regro'wth was evident" A considerable portion of tl}is bi'son ra.nge indica~ed

. over-grazing and the decline of the mor~ palatable s"pe.cies of 'grasses anq :legumes. A cCl.ttie ranch located on the Delta along ¢learwater Creek, ·also showed the effe~t· of heavy grazing on loss of stand in. pastures compos.ed of timothy and white and alsike clover, smootllbro.me_ .grass, and s.maller plantings of slender and. crested wheat grassel;j (A-gropyron trachycaulum and A .. cristatum respectively). In contrast, smooth brome grass fE!!rtili­zed and cut once for hay showe·d good growth and good stand the ~ecqrid ·

. year after see~ing, . . I ; . . .

Limited Survey of Caribou Range -- Mr. Robert F. Scott, Supervisor of Game Restqration, Fish and Wildlife Servi~~ cooperated in furnis,hing ·

. transportation and facilities for study 0~ their range evaluation. experiments ·and for. the forage plant survey of a limited area in the Ty:ot~e ·Lake regia~.

. . . . . . : . . . .· .. . '

The re~urvey of the Yukon Uplands along the Taylor. andSteese High­ways and a side ro'ad to Ci:r·cle Hot Springs showed a rather sparce array

. of legumes arid grasses over much of this region ... The lq;w roiling hills

. with flat upl<;J:.pd plateaus, and poorly dr~i.ned valleys are covered ~ith a variable forest of spruce, poplar, willow and birch with _a ground cover ·Of chiefly mosses, some lichens and coarse herbs and shrubs. In the poorly drained.,. nar:row v~qeys.~he vegetat~on comprises s~dges, ~()sses, sphagnum, and Cala~agrostis interspersed _with fair-size timber in the better drai:p.e,d bottom land and on the valley sides.·_ Th:e upland plateaus extend above . , · timberline a'ud in vegetation present a succession of associations extending through dwarf bla~k spruce, . dwarf willow. dwarf birch, Dryas and. mossy tundra. · · .

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Good development of grasses and legumes occurs where soil.is exposed in any of the plant associations located at the lower elevations. Legumes are limited chiefly to Astragalus and Oxytropis sp •. usually associated with :gravelly openings on the slopes. Soil on the sides of. the slopes is shallow. The upper plateaus are covered to varying depths with fine, loess:...type· soils. ·Rainfall over this area is low. averaging about 9 inches annually. The for~ge production and range carrying; capacity of this area is limited. The upland plateaus topographically appear suitable for agriculture, especially grain and forage production~· >however, the fine soils, frequently very shallow, erode rapidly when the tundra cover is re­moved.

The low productivity of these plateaus was demonstrated in the summer of 1957 by a series of cereal and forage experimental plots planted at four locations. ·The plots· were located on the Tok flats near Tok Junction, on

· thEfvalley slope ~at Chicken, on the plateau area at the intersection of the Taylot:and Dawson Highways, and on the Yukon Valley plain at Eagle. Agricultural crops included in each plot were adapted va:rieties of barley:, oats, wheat, smooth brome, and timothy in the Gramineae and Alaskland red clover and alfalfa in the Legurriinosae. The soils in the areas selected were prepared by using a rototiller set for a depth of six inches. Seedings

·were made early in May and notes were taken August 15 and 16. While the summer of 1957. was dry, precipitation and soil moisture appeared adequate fqr good .ge·rmination and growth at all :stations.· The contrast in plant growth was great ·between the 4 stations; Good: development occurred at Tok Junction and at Eagle, intermediate at Chicken and very sparce on the high plateau. The stage of development of all crop varieties in the plot on the plateau was somewhat later and total plant growth appreciably less than at the lower altitudes.· The barley, wheat and oats were heading at a height of 4 to 5 , . inches· and·roots were short and thick with gall:...like overgrowths at the root

·apexes. This was•in marked contrast to the well tillered,. vigorous growth, .and good grain development on culms 30 inches high at Eagle. While this represents a very limited experiment of one season's duration and it in­cludes soils of very different texture and biological composition, it demon­str·ates very strikingly the relatively. low ,agricultural and range value of these upland plateaus of the ·:Yukon area• ··The sparse development of native vegetation ·over the plateau substantiates in part at least the results obtained with the cultivated crop plants;

The limited survey along the highway to Lake Louise and along the · lake shore of Tyone Lake and the adjacent interior ridges and flats again

illustrated the relatively low agricultural. and range value of the so-called ·interior caribou range. Here again, forest cover predominat.es and plant successions and associations are somewhat similar to those of the former area. In contrast however, a greater portion of this region comprises lakes, bogs and poorly drained terrane. Again, in this area grasses and

~:...:.·-·-·--~ ·-··· . -· ---~---· - ' ......... ,_.__, ·:.- . ...... · .. ;. __ ._..,, ... ···- --·- .. ' ..

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legumes are limited both in species and distribution. A similar array of -species appear to· predominate here as in the former region. ·

;;::: ! .···

The Fish and Wildlife Service under the able supe't"iiisiori of: Robert F. Scott have initiated a range study: of this area during' the: p·ast 3 ·year-s·.· Stations including fenced enclosures we·re established in seve·!•al repre·­sentative plant associations in both summer and winter caribou grazing

··'areas. As'in the .. former region much of the territory represente:d appar­:-.,:ently has been'·ov~r-grazed by the increasing·caribou 'population~ ·Dr. H. C.

Hansen, noted: plant ecologist, and the younger personne 1 ·of the ·:Fish- and Wildlife Service have conducted a detailed analysis of-vegetation on these stati'ons and compiled the ecological data associated with the plant -habitats.

··These data are· being,correlated with the·summer and winter caribou popu­.:lations· frequenting the stations, rate of recovery of vegetation ori· the station ·sites and other information pertinent to the development of a sound rang'e ·management pr'og:tarli. More will he said on this important pha~·e· of Alaskan agriculture in the·later discussion.·:-·· · -, ·:

Study of Two Sheep Range Sites-in ·Mount McKinley National Park -- Con­duCted in <Cooperation with the National ?ark Service, the· two sHes were

-studied in sotne: detail. They- were located on the ·Polychrome Range oppo­site mile 48 on the McKinley Park Highway and ·in the Polychrome Pass·· area. The former location represents a south exposure, the upper portion used by sheep during the summer:in conjunction with the northern slope which was not ·investigated. The area in the pass included the lower ridges extending· south of the highway, :the open plateau betwe.en the two· higher parallel ridges running in a northeasterly - southwesterly direction and the summit of the western ridge or the ridge :adjacent to the former summer­grazing site extending in an easterly-westerly direction. Trails present, sheep signs, and information furnished by Park ·service personnel indicated the first site and high ridge of the second as summer range and the southern spurs and plateau of the Polychrome Pass as winter range. The size of the band or bands of sheep frequenting the two areas was not known. Recent grazing evidence ~n th~ first site indicated a moderately large band was using the area for summer grazing above 3, 000 feet.

The survey included .two traverse· ~ines', one on ~he ridge and one in the parallel valley. The open secondary ridge was surveyed extending from mile 48 on the Park Highway to the summit of the secondary ridge or the highest zone of: vegetation a'ppt-oximately 5, 000 feet, although·the bare and rocky main ridge extended 2, 000 feet higher. The side of the adjacent secondary valley paralleling the ridge was traversed on the trip down. The general vegetative zones transected included 1) the low willow -birch along the road, 2) the low birch-Vaccinium, 3) the Dryas, and 4) the alpine moss­grass association below the bare rocky summit. The last two zones only were grazed by sheep. The lower two zones were grazed lightly by a few

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moose and caribou. No attempt was made to list, all plants prese·nt.',, ,,.,; Emphasis was placed on legumes. grasses. some other herbs, poison-,. ous plants, and mosses and lichens. The following list of plants included under·.the four zones along the two traverse lines, therefore, is incom­plete •.. The general notes on plant growtn; plants grazed, and general range conditions are perhaps more important. . ..

·The· same four zones listed for the first site and an additional marshy Carex-Co;1lamagrostis association were crossed several times in the second site. The Polychrome Pass second site area, generally higher than the. former site, represented the several secondary exposed rocky spurs ex­tending south of the highway, the higher plateau connecting these with the two main ridges and a shallow valley with poor drainage between the plateau and the westerly ridge. Neither terrain nor soil. types ·.were comparable in the two s.ites surveyed. Generally the same plant apecies occurred in the two locations, however. ~heir position, horizont.al distribution, and preval­ence differed for the two sites. Again, the general qomments on range conditions are of more value perhaps than plant composition in this second area. which containe(i several wind.-swept locations with little. snow cover during winter and exposed southern promontories used intensively by the sheep<as.bedding grounds during the winter. General plant composition of the 48-Mile or first site is listed below.

Zone 1.· Willow and birch approximately 4 feet in height, sotne· · open areas. Mostly moss and sparce lichen-growth under willow: .. and birch cover • . Plants on open areas listed in order of prevalence:

. ··r .. · ..

Calamagrostis 2;·sp. Carex. sp. .·~ -·~ · Hedysarum alpinum americanum Lupinus arcticus Bunch ·Poa

· OxytroPfS"2 sp. Polemonium acutiflorum and P. ·cae-ruleum .. Vaccinium sp. Lichens abundant

*Delphinium glaucum.·. *Aconitum delphinifolium

*Both poisonous and present in considerable numbers in zones 1 · through 3~ '

: ~ .

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Zone 2 •. Low birch - Vaccinium association with ground cover of mosses and:

Salix sp. dwarf types Lycopodium sp. . . Sedges· abundant ·

: .. · Lichens present . ,· .:-Calamagrostis 2 sp.

• .Poa 3 sp.'

· Festuca 2 sp. Hedysarum 2 sp. Lupinus arcticus Oxytropis 2 sp . Astragalus 2 sp. Polemonium 2 sp.

Zone 3 •. Dryas association, ·chiefly D .. octopetala

· Carex sp .. Salix sp. prostrate types. Lycopodium sp. Lichens abundant Poa 3 sp. Festuca 2 sp. Astragalus· 2 sp .

. . :

Hedysarum 2 sp. Oxytropis 3 s p. Trisetum spicatum Agropyrog,2 sp. Hierochloe alpina Polemonium 2 sp.

Zone 4.. Alpine moss -grass association

Festuca 3 sp. Poa 2 sp;. Trisetum 2 s p.

Agropyron 2 sp. Oxytropis 2 sp.

In Zones .3 and 4 where sheep grazing was heavy, Oxytropis nigrescens (mostly variety b~yophila) -was grazed heavily .. The prostrate-growth of this legume with the thick woody crown and root prevented the complete destruction of the clones. Mo~:t of the leaves and seed pods were gra·zed bff on every plant present. This legume appeared to be: grazed preferentially on all of the locations where summer grazing was evident. At the lower Zone 2 where the sheep had not been feeding, . .this species was producing seed. Few seed pods were present in .the grazed areas indicating the species survival de­pended -~pon the perennial nat"~g"e of the plant with little chance for reseeding. The fine leafed Fesc.ues. Festuc.a altaica and F. -rubra. were grazed close with few plants producing seed and some plantS had been pulled out by' the· heavy grazing. A fine leafed -Trisetuni probably a variety -of T. Spicatum was grazed heavily also. The mosses arid Dryas showed little· evide~c_e; of grazing pressure although the ground· mat was loosened and cut by the .. ,··· sheep trailing especially on the steeper slopes and at the higher elevat1on.s.

. : l ;..-,

The few locations studied in this survey indicated very heavy stiirimer grazing and gradual decline of the plants receiving excessive grazl.ng. ,.The absence of seed on the plants grazed so heavily and the gradual reces'sion' of vegetation at the higher elevations indicated a rapid decline of the important

- 12 ._

species used for feed and a gradual deterioration and recession of ground cover.

General plant composition and ground cover in Polychrome Pass or second site was similar to that of the first site. The survey of the several areas used by the sheep for winter feeding and bedding showed even more severe damage to plant cover including the soil-holding species not grazed heavily on the summer range namely Dryas, mosses~ etc. On the south exposures and plateau in Polychrome Pass, the ground cover was absent in large areas. The accumulation of sheep manure in these areas indicated heavy concentration of animals and bedding during the winter. The plants listed for the first site were present, but in lesser numbers and appre­ciably smaller size~ especially in the Zones 3 and 4 with evidence of sheep in Zone 2 during the winter. As stated earlier, the soil and. topography of the two sites were different, therefore, a direct comparison of the plant development and condition was not possible.

Based upon the present very meager survey of the sheep range in the Mt. McKinley National Park, the areas studied indicated overgrazing and gradual deterioration of both feed plants and ground cover. The very conspicuous· use of certain plants by the sheep; notably, the alpine Oxytropis in the legumes and the alpine Festuca and Trisetum species in the grasses, suggests theneed for a more detailed study of'Sheep range in the area. The use offenced enclosures in conjunction with such studies would add materially to the value of the investigations. The combination of range plants studied under heavy grazing and in protected enclosures would yield data valuable both in determining range carrying capacity and rate of plant recovery in relation to both feed and ground':cover.

. i:

DISCUSSION OF GRASSES AND LEGUMES IN RELATION TO . ' RANGE MANAGEMENT

Grasses and legumes naturally occupy very little acreage over much of Interior Alaska. Both the older forest stands and the rapid willow and poplar growth on most burned-over areas apparently exclude either the establishment or the persistance of the forage plants .. However; where seed is:· available naturally or where seed is sown on exposed soil or burned are.a:s:.::~g;rasses are established quickly (notably Calamagrostis, Bromus, Agrosfis·and Poa). It appears, therefore, that desirable forage grasses and legumes might be established on far greater acreages by systemati ... cally seeding exposed soil surfaces with these species that develop good· soil cover, improve soil texture and composition, and produce good grazing·_plants for domestic animals and herbiferous game animals·. The grazing value and productivity or carrying capacity of many range ·aJ!eas can:be increased materially through the introduction of better forage plants.

- 13 :..

:::The present survey combinedwith·the study of literature onforest:. surv.eys·of production 'i:ind value, game ·management and ov~rgrazing, and other ecological: studies all indicate the low leyel of productivity of much of. the land surfac·e: in interior Al?-ska. The serious ,ove.rgra~ing

·':~n:d deterioration of range.and the resultant drastic' reduction in popula.­tion of ,herbiferous game· animals as reviewed recently by Le·opo.ld and . ,

· .Darling, combined with. the present evidence of overgrazing on bison,· caribou, and sheep range· all indicate slow recovery on these interior areas. :~he_ very limited carrying capacity and the rapid disappearance of sparse ·,populations of nutritious, ·palatable, native grasses and legumes. in wooded · pastures of the Knik and Wasilla sections again indicate Jow .efficiency in .. the use of soils· occupied by forest growth •. !. Apparently the same situatiQn

e.xists •in relation to forest production with the. present very old stands. as recently the forestry surveys have shown the relatively low commercial value and very slow growth of much of the indigenous tree species now occupying the· interior.

'" .··.

: Ecologically several factors contribute to this low economy of'pro• duction in the existing natural plant associations. Low moisture and low temperature represent two very important environmental factors contri­buting to·this ·present low ·productive capacity; -at least in the older plant

·.'assoCiations existing in a more or less static state·.of equilibrium. :;How­ever .. 'the rapid establishment and excellent growth:o:t: ;desirable s:pec!ies ·of grasses. legumes and other herbals~ where forest and other surfaee:!fover

·~-is rem.oved and seed of these. species is introduced, indicate environment is not ne.ce'ssarily a limiting factor for these rtew plant associations . .::·r::Per­haps.J:nuch .of the indigenous;plant land-co:ver of interior Alaska has•.-re·ached a state of senescence, but yet occupies the site to the exclusion ofiyoung generations of the same species or the establishment of new plant species more. adaptable and more desirable. If this be true, the-elimination of these·ancient plant associations by fire may be. an improvement rathe.r than a disaster. provided seed of desirable plant species is introduced following

·the fire. ·· ·: .,..,. .·. , .

· While this report does not advocate burning and replanting with the presen~ inadequate knowledge of what to plant and seed sufficient to plant. investigations· in this area should be initiated by the s.everal agencies in­volved in land use and management. · Numerous demonstrations :of desir­able plant associations were found well established in .old clearings, along roadsides, and on old burns in most of the interior sections surveyed .. These plant associations varied with location. elevations, soilctype and

·.plant. species. common to the area and available.to·furnish seed •. Frequently a· Calamagr.ostis species was.the dominant grass. :With Agrostis and·Poa. species interspersed on the .better moist soils.· and. Trisetum and El.Yiilus species on the more gravelly. soils. In ~no. locations Bromm'; purnpellianus

.·.'

- 14 -

and varieties and Lupinus arcticus and L. perennis var .• nootkatensis predominated .. At.the higher elevations-Pea. ancLFestu<;:a, spec.ies were.!:. found more.commonly. A similar development of legumes was evicle.nt with Lupinus,;· Hedysarum, Astragalus, and Oxytro.pis species; one or more predominating depending upon .soil. type and species pre.$ent to. ~upply the seed. · Usually young, vigorously growing .spr:uce, birch- 8:nd other ... forest trees were found scattered or grouped in these meadow,s. Appar~nt­

ly in areas where seed was present ground cover and soil ~~prove men~ .. was supplied through grasses and legumes followed by .reestablishment:·.O..f

:forest rather than willow. alder, and poplar growth, as .occurred common­ly over much of the reforested sections. Certainly under good management practice and the use of-suitable seed from known areas within the Territory. rather extensive reseeding of recently burned areas should be established on at least an experimental basis.

Seeds of several indigenous plants are available. Large meadows of Calamagrostis canadensis producing abundant seed are available and field surface is level enough to use, mechanical seed stripping machinery for harvest on the Yukon Flats in tq~ vicinity of Galena. Ext~~sive ;3.r.eas of almost:pure stands of Bromus pumpellianus again with abundant seed­set occur 'above the Eklutna road pear timber line. Here hand strippers. would be necessary to harvest seed, on the rough hillside. . Seed pf Poa and Festuca sp. is abundant on the level flats along the road between,King Salmon and Naknek;.: Thes_e represent .some of the immediate sourGes of seed-of indigenous grasses:that migl:lt be used in starting rese~q.iii:g-.e~p~·ri-

. ments. Seed of-the desirable ·legumes are not as readily 3;V8:ilal?l.e. a_s .in: !; ;the grasses.· However, seed of indigenous Hedysarum.and.Qxytropis sp.

could-be· produced under cultivation in a relatively few years.

: -AgriCulture defined in terms: of the best use of soilss .climate, at;t,d other resources involves not only the production, distribution, and use -C?r domesticated crop plants and animals. but. also parallel problems in the. production and use of native or wild plants and animals. The management and production of game animals on natural or modified habitats in the area both for food and cover for man, and their less tangible value in.relation to: trophies and ·tourist attraction, become a, part .-of the broader agricul­tural planning for the area. Obviously many areas in the interior._::t:r"e _. _ ·better adapted to the production ·of gam~. tha;n to the production o(f~rm .. crops and animals. On this basis the int~lligent use of natural areas in. Alaskan development involves the allocation, use, and management ·:<?fJhe land. areas for both purposes. Frequently the: saiile· principles and methods are involved in study, of the problems. Generally the information obtained in either field of study is applicable to both. Therefore, financialsupport for research and development, cooperation in investigatio'Q.~-; ;3.nd the

... correlation of results in relation to application and develo{np.e~t see:m logical in the development of land use in Alaska.

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PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS WITH SUMMER GROWN LEGUME CROPS FOR FORAGE .. CQV~R GROP .. AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT· ;

In the tep~rt for' 195S, emphasis was pla~ed especially upon the need of a legume crop for· soil improvement in Alaskan agriculture. The low winter survival of most legumes generally used in rotations in all but a few locations in Alaska, suggested the possibility of using these legumes on an annuaLcrop basis. In other wqrds, _planting perennial and biennual legume types in early spring ancJ. using_'the summer growth for f<?rage. qover crop, and green manure> _While data were q.vailable that indicah~d a relatively high production of total dry matter during the long-day growing period of Alaska, the comparative reaction of especially nonhardy legumes had.not been eval­uated adequately.

Preliminary plantings of an array of such legumes were made in 1957 for observational study on comparative development. A second .experiment was conducted in the use of such legumes as gr~en manure. crops on a "field in potato production. R. L. Taylor was responsible for the first experiment and C. E. Logsdon for the second. The two experiments were observed throughout the summer and data taken on plant development.

The preliminary experiment on the relative growth. and development of clover., alfalfa, and sweet clover v.arieties was conducted on the experi­mental farm at Palmer. Seeding of rows 6 feet long and 2 feet .apart was made in a good seed-bed on April 24. ·· Notes on plant development were taken on August 2nd and final observations ~ere made and photographs taken on August 22nd. The dafa on varietie~-. grown and. plant developments are ~ven ih Table 1. .!.:.. ., .. ,

The growth and development .~f th,ese legumes during the long-day, Alaska summer was 3 -fold greater than that occurring in the same period at l\iadison, Wisconsin. The estimated, tonnage of green weight was placed at 3 ton for sweet clover and arou~d1 ~:ton per acre for alfalfa and medium red clover. While the summer was ;dvy. and warm in 1957, the total growth was similar to that of the previous -~ummer for s~verat' of the legumes.; The late flowering whlte sweet clovers.- eyergreenand Wisconsin Sel •. 7 .. were later in developing flowers, b,ut ~otal production of leaves and stems was equal to the other varieties. The relative growth of the several alfalfa varieties was similar, although the amount of blossoming differed. · The Alaskland red clover of the smooth-stem type was slow.erln stem formation and blo~som development than the cq.~r,non medium red, although muclt ,more leafy than the common.. · . · · ·

r: .. :.

The development of the legumes in the rotation plots with potatoes was similar to that in the rows. Alfalfa and medium red clover averaged 32 inches in height and was estimated at over 2 ton of green weight when plowed

- 16.-..

·~ :.. ·. : .. ·•• ·; . --.·- ', •. • '·. ! ,· 5~; : ... :.' · . ."' .

Table 1 -- Showing the' relative .. summer development of several legumes at the experimental far.:t;tJ.. J?:l:l,.lmer;··al~s;ka in 1957. Seed was sown April 2·4":~nd note~: t~ep iA).ugust 2• T

Number-.

Legume and Variety . ·.,. ·-.ot nodes (branches)

d.··· '. ;' ~ '

Me lilotis officinalis

Var. Madrid (33, 104) .... ·.:: \ '

Gold Top ... Common Yellow (32, 577) · ,_.

.· 1-- ; • Sel. 65 (32, 580) · •~ · ·

~l.~:i.>);.:~i.

. · .... ,,.·1 .

M. alba

per stem

... .15-1.6 , ·; ~ .

14..-17.:;1 .• . ; . ' .. , - ..

... 1~.-:-.14·5:· :J . .' ·- 1.P-:-l6 j;;· . . . .... . ...

Numb~r'""\·

btariches with~

blossoms

15 12 .4

• .. ;:9·.~

Height of

plants inches

4a·· ·

50 48 40

. . . )\: ... t.~:. . Common white (32, 576)' · .12.~14 .... :·:·, ~~~'J.lO •·,·. Evergreen (32, 044) ·''· } '. ·. · ; \/ ~}~; ... : ~<·. 2·J·:·:t.:~

48 36 36 40 44

Sel. Wis. 7 :.: ·;,··.i.!• . ,1.2: .. ·:· ·2-'.:.l-h·.

Arctic (32, 631) · .,. d.·.. 13 .. · ,, ; 4 Alaska Bulk " .14.~~!5 . .. .• 4

Medicago sativa and falcata

Du Puit ·ii·~f4: Vernal .,.: .. ·:· ):. ;.X?:~(3_,,: Arizona Common <"· _ .12:;J5.,· California Common 195·f' _, .. , .. ~ '.~}):3'~·15, California Comma~ '1956 n.~·'"'"' · .· {4-~1-5. M. falcata, Alaska' S~l~~;v;::;~. ''l' :.: i2;~.i3 .. M. sativa x falcata Afii~:;ft:,til.it;·,-!3.~\4 .. Narragansett ·' ._:.;;.;:: :)\!t.: ,f:·_~li~''j4.

=:·:i .;:· ~ ... 1:t .. Ji(~ .. ..£.""::" ,f:J~J-.~~~.!...,_ .

Alaskland Clover Medium Red 1954 Medium Red 1956

0-2 4-5 4-5

4 ,.lj•34 1 ' .J£·.;.;•7: • ' 30 3 ... >.) 3\ ·. 32 3 '!.'; ,·,![::··. 32 3 ·.·' 82

10 ... , )·.' 28

,:· :~, ,~ I-~

5 .. ' 32 3 . ' 32

0 2 2

14 30 30

- 17 -

under the 3rd week in August. The sweet clover was replanted as the first seed lot was low in germination. Plant height averaged 28 inches and blossoms were not showing Wben plowed under. Soybeans used also in this experiment germinated unevenly and plant development was appre­ciably less than in the other legumes.

·while summer procluction of legumes as reported herein does not offer the same economy of labor use as in th.e longer rotation, the use of nonhardy legumes is practical until better species are available. Such use especially with rapid growing grasses, such as the annual. Lolium sp. and the cereals. oats or barley, would supply a large tonnage of forage. supply ground cover,. and provide legumes for soil improvement.

A PROPOSED OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATIONS ON THE INDIGENOUS FORAGE PLANTS OF ALASKA

A study of the plant development under nursery conditions of indi­genous and legume species. varieties and selections now seems in order~ Eleven species are considered of e·conomic importance to agriculture, based on the surveys conducted during the past two summers and the ~orage needs of Alaska. Three species of legumes and eight species of grasses were included in the initial group selected for further study. Seed of these species. their varieties, and plant variants were collected ~uring the •. survey. Seed from approximately 800 individual plants within this group was collected from various sections of Alaska. These seed -lots z:p.ust be used within the next two years to insure their availability for furtJ;ler in­vestigations, as even under good storage conditions. viability of many will not extend much beyond this period. It is-imperative, therefore,; that. further support for the continuation of the investigations be obtained to make available fully this collection of new germplasm -.;...a very important contribution obtained from the survey. In addition to the establishment of the· plants in nurseries. at P.almer, · Alaska, the following investigations are suggested:

1. A study of plant development when growing under spaced nursery conditions. The initial study of plant growth and seed development under nursery conditions not only establishes the plant progeny for future use, but also furnished preliminary information. on the development, variability, and relative value of the progeny population under cultivation. This initial study undoubtedly-will result· finally in the elimination of some species and a larger number of plants within a given species. from the more detailed later study~. ·A better c_omparative estimate.:of the value and adaptability to cultivation, forage. and seed production, and range variability in other· characteristics is. possible under these initial nursery conditions.

: .

.. - 18 ""

The plant populations grown from the original seed-lots· furnish the material for the initial evaluation of variation in morphological characters within a species and yariety. They also supply the material for collecting the basic data on the taxonomic value of these characters as well as the validity of the species and variety. The taxonomic status of several of the grasses and legumes is under question as earlier binomials and varieties frequently have been determined on a very few specimens generally originat­ing from restricted locations. ·The present array of material collected in the surveys and tentatively placed in species groups supply the material for a basic study of taxonomy of such species. For example, :aromus pumpell­ianus and the several varieties are distributed widely in Alaska and represent one of *e most valuable grasses for both Alaska and use ~n the States e.nd elsewhere. The 300 seed-lots collected from plants placed tentatively within the species differed widely in numerous characteristics. The approx­imately 150 seed-lots from plants placed tentatively under the variety arcticus and the 50 from plants in the little known variety pacif1cus or classified as a separate species by Shear and accepted by.Httchcock, appear

. to represent an integrated series within the species. The same ran.ge of characters and taxonomic situation exist in the case of Hedysarum a.lpinum ssp. americanum (H. mackenzii) and others. The initial nursery collection of thls material within each species collected over a wide range of conditions is valuable, therefore, in the basic taxonomic. study as·well,a:.s•for othe:;:' investigations. . . ,

; . ·,2. · The study of disease. reaction withi~ the species population in the nurs_e~y. Variability in reaction to diseases appears as great as for mo:r:­p~ological characters. The ultimate v:alue of each species to agriculturA is dependent in part upon the damage incited by·pathogens ·when large pla:n:i: populations are grown in close association. While it has been possible·.fre-

. quently to sele.ct for resistance to specific diseases wi±~1in populations .. · growing under natural conditions, experience. has shown this is accomplished both mor,e rapidly and accurately under nurs.ery conditions~ Prelimil"laJr.lf experiments with seed-lots collected in 1956 and earlier and grown at.·: Palmer and Madison have shown marked differences in plant reaction to

.. rusts and powdery mildew as well as for other characters . . f'• .

3·. ] /ifne study of plant reactions and. adaptation to specific agricultural uses when grown under different environments. The agricultural evaluation and exploitation of plant species adapted naturally to long light periods and low temperatures has received little attention in agric.ulturalresear.ch. The suggested grpup. of grass and legume speqies presents·.imusual .oppor­tunities for such r,esearch. They also represent great· agricultural potential in.meeting specific crop nee.ds in Alaska and in the States. Again prelimin­ary exp!=lriments.with specific grasses; notably Poa pratensts, Festuca rubra> and Bromus pumpellianus illustrate these potential speciaJ. agricultu!'al uses. Some plants within these species when grown at Madison have shown -\d.go:.~ous

. . - " . . . .

I ·I

- 19 -

vegetative growth throughout the season with little or no seed production; others have reacted unfavorably. The implications of these plant reactions to their value as lawn, turf, and pasture uses in the more southern area are obvious. Also the seed production of such grasses in Alaska offers another potential crop of great economic importance. Perhaps this plant reaction represents one of the major reasons for the importation into the United States each year of millions of pounds of grass seed from Canada, Northern Europe, and Southern New Zealand.

The potential use of Alaska legume species of Hedysarum and the sweet lupine, Lupinus perrenis var. nootkatensis (L. nootkatensis) as winter cover crops for soil improvement and for pasture in the Southern United States is equally great. Most of the sweet lupine seed of another variety is being imported from Northern Europe at the present time. Hedysarum represents an unknown in agricultural value although the Canadian investigations are exploring its development and use.

The investigations, briefly outlined in this report have both basic and applied value: (1) The preservation of the germplasm collected during the survey just completed is essential to the realization of the full value of the funds invested by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Alaska Experiment Station. (2) The study of species variation, range in expression of mor­phyological characters, and adequate species definition have both taxonomic and physiologic value and potential. (3) The study of disease reaction of plant populations and selecting for resistance represent both basic and applied research of great importance. (4) The agricultural evaluation of the plants both for use in Alaska and elsewhere suegest not only better plants for forage and soil cover and improvement but also possible new seed crops for Alaskan agriculture.

The proposed research program is considered initially on a cooperative basis between the Alaska and Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Stations. The proposed establishment of nurseries, plant studies, and disease investi­gations would be conducted at the two contrasting locations. Present staff at each institution would supervise and coordinate the cooperative investiga­tions and furnish land and facilities. Additional financial support is needed for labor, technical assistants, two graduate assistants, and travel money for coordinating staff and graduate assistants. The investigations as out­lined would require an estimated grant of $6,000. the first year {1958) and $8, 000 for each of the succeeding years. or a total of $22, 000 for the 3 year period. Consideration of such a grant is recommended as a part of this report to obtain the fullest returns from the funds invested to date and to complete the investigation.