Fernleaf Biscuitroot

Ext/CrSSUSTAINABLE 138 • March AGRICULTURE 2012 TECHNIQUES Fernleaf biscuitroot, or desert parsley (Loma- tium dissectum [Nutt.] Mathias & Constance SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TECHNIQUES [LODI]), is a wildflower native to the western United States (Figure 1). Fernleaf biscuitroot is a desirable component of rangelands, as it is a Fernleaf preferred food of grazing animals and some birds. Its roots are eaten by rodents, and its seeds are a desirable food for some insects and mammals Biscuitroot (Thompson 1998). Lomatium dissectum (LODI) Native wildflower seed is needed to restore rangelands of the Intermountain West. Commer- M.P. Shock, C.C. Shock, E.B.G. Feibert, cial seed production is necessary to provide the C.A. Parris, L.D. Saunders, R.K. Sampangi, quantity of seed needed for rangeland restoration N.L. Shaw, and T.K. Welch and reclamation efforts. The data summarized here provide information on fernleaf biscuitroot production techniques that reduce crop failure and promote stable and consistent seed production. Description and natural adaptation Fernleaf biscuitroot is a long-lived perennial wildflower native to the western United States. It grows from a large taproot in early spring, uti- lizing the natural moisture from snow melt and spring rains. Fernleaf biscuitroot can start flowering before the last frosts, but may suffer from hard freezes. Flowers are yellow, purple, or brown and cluster in umbrella-shaped heads atop stalks that range from 2 to 5 feet in height. The highly dissected Figure 1. Fernleaf biscuitroot. leaves have a fern-like appearance and often are more than 15 inches in length. After seed set, the leaves die back during midsummer. Fernleaf biscuitroot grows at a range of eleva- Myrtle P. Shock, visiting professor, Museu Amazônico, tions from the West Coast to the Rocky Moun- Universidade Federal de Amazonas; Clinton C. Shock, tain foothills. It prefers highly fertile and rocky superintendent and professor, Malheur Experiment soils (Figure 2, page 2). Under these conditions, Station; Erik Bruno G. Feibert, senior faculty research assistant, Malheur Experiment Station; Cheryl A. Parris, fernleaf biscuitroot grows into large clumps 3 to graduate research assistant in horticulture, Oregon State 4 feet in height. It can grow in a range of precipi- University; Lamont D. Saunders, bioscience research tation regimes, including semi-arid conditions. technician, Malheur Experiment Station; Ram K. Sampangi, Extension support scientist, University of Idaho; Nancy L. Shaw, research botanist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station; and Teresa K. Welch, Wild Iris Communications Cite as M.P. Shock, C.C. Shock, E.B.G. Feibert, C.A. Parris, L.D. Saunders, R.K. Sampangi, N.L. Shaw, and T.K. Welch. 2012. Fernleaf Biscuitroot, Lomatium dissectum (LODI), Sustainable Agriculture Techniques, Oregon State University, Department of Crop and Soil Science Ext/CrS 138. 6 p. 2 diarrhea), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (one cause of tuberculosis), and Mycobacterium avium (McCutcheon et al. 1995, 1997). Medicinal use of fernleaf biscuitroot is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Preproduction considerations Native wildflower seed production poses many challenges. Using appropriate management practices for each species can diminish grower risk. These practices will maximize seed yields and deliver high-quality products over time. Before planting, it is important to consider a number of factors. These factors include soil tex- Figure 2. Natural stand of fernleaf biscuitroot ture, annual weed pressure, presence of perennial growing on fertile. rocky soil. weeds, irrigation delivery systems, and harvest In some environments and moisture regimes, management. For example, native wildflowers fernleaf biscuitroot does not flower every year. found in semi-arid regions often grow in shallow Long-lived perennials such as fernleaf biscuitroot soils with a relatively high pH. generally flower in years with enough moisture to Native wildflower seed production may be produce seed. Natural populations in the Palouse utilized as an alternative rotational field crop like region of eastern Washington have flowers on other perennials, such as alfalfa. Since native 4 to 34 percent of the plants each year (Thomp- wildflowers require limited irrigation, growers son 1998). with water restrictions can use the saved allot- Under irrigation in Ontario, Oregon, fernleaf ments elsewhere. biscuitroot began blooming in the third and fourth Seed source years, and by the fifth and sixth years almost all Seed sources for crop production of fernleaf plants produced flowers. The number of years biscuitroot must be designated “certified” to that a fernleaf biscuitroot planting will flower guarantee that seed is free of disease and nox- and produce a substantial seed crop is unknown. ious weeds and to verify its origin. Seed sources may include foundation seed organizations, crop Uses improvement associations, Natural Resources Fernleaf biscuitroot was used by Native Amer- Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials ican populations as a food and medicine. Confu- Centers, and private seed companies. sion exists as to which specific medicinal uses apply to Lomatium dissectum, since the leaves Site preparation are very similar to those of many other species As with any perennial crop, field choice and of biscuitroot. Cooking methods specific to this preparation are essential because the plants will species are also unknown. be in the same place for years (Figure 3, page 3). Fernleaf biscuitroot has been shown scien- Choose fields that are relatively weed-free with tifically to have some antiviral and antibacterial no troublesome perennial weeds. effects. In laboratory studies, root extracts have Fall soil preparation should begin long before inhibited rotavirus (a cause of severe childhood planting. For subsurface drip irrigation, place 3 Fall planting is necessary, as the seed requires a prolonged period of cold (vernalization) to break dormancy (Figure 4). Germination occurs after 3 to 4 months with soil temperatures below 40°F (Scholten et al. 2009). Thus, spring planting is ineffective. Surface planting and covering the seed with a light layer of sawdust and row cover has led to excellent plant stands. Planting seed 0.5 inch deep with a custom grain drill with disk openers has also been successful. Planting with row cover has the added advantage that the seedlings are protected from bird predation. Fernleaf biscuitroot can be planted in 30-inch Figure 3. Fernleaf biscuitroot resprouting from rows at 20 seeds per foot of row. The planting its roots. rate is 14.8 lb/acre of pure, live seed. A pound of fernleaf biscuitroot seed contains about 23,500 drip tape 12 inches below the planting soil sur- seeds. Consult your seed supplier for purity and face and center tape between where plant rows viability or germination test results. will be sown. Ground preparation should create a smooth, level, firm seedbed for accurate, shallow Irrigation seed placement. Seed production of fernleaf biscuitroot responds strongly to irrigation. Irrigation meth- Establishing fernleaf biscuitroot ods, timing, and delivery determine plant vitality, Fernleaf biscuitroot seed production requires seed yield, and seed quality. Subsurface drip, 3 years for plant establishment, and seed yields furrow, or sprinkler irrigation delivery systems may not be profitable in the fourth year. The spe- may produce suitable stands. Fernleaf biscuitroot cies is long-lived and, after establishment, will be may require irrigation earlier in the year than tra- productive for several seasons. ditional row crops because it begins flowering in Figure 4. Newly emerged fernleaf biscuitroot seedlings (left) and seedlings growing true leaves (right). 4 early spring. Specific irrigation requirements will Pollinators vary by location, rainfall, and irrigation system. Bee pollination is necessary for fernleaf bis- Fernleaf biscuitroot has a relatively low irri- cuitroot seed production. Halictus sweat bees gation requirement. At Ontario, Oregon, which and honey bees have been observed in production receives 10 inches of precipitation per year, stands of fernleaf biscuitroot in Ontario, Oregon maximum seed yield is predicted to result from (Jim Cane, USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects– an application of about 6 inches of spring irri- Biology, Management, and Systematics Research gation, using a subsurface drip system (Shock Unit, personal communication). In nature, there et al. 2011). By comparison, traditional row crops are other bees that specialize in pollinating fern- at Ontario may require up to 36 inches of irriga- leaf biscuitroot (Figure 6). tion per year. With subsurface drip irrigation, established Weeds, pests, and diseases fernleaf biscuitroot irrigation was scheduled as Weed pressure is a primary concern for native four applications. Beginning at the onset of flow- wildflower growers. Native wildflowers are not ering, 1 to 2 inches of water were applied every competitive with crop weeds. 2 weeks (Figure 5). The end of irrigation should Both sprinkler and furrow irrigation may coincide approximately with the completion of promote weed growth. Weed problems can be seed development. After seed development, the managed with cultivation and hand roguing. Pres- plants naturally begin to die back, and additional ently, no herbicides are labeled for use on fernleaf irrigation will only favor weeds. biscuitroot. Besides reducing water consumption, sub- Like other specialty seed crops, fernleaf

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