ball et al., 1997). The ecology of natural populations of plantain and its biology as a weed have been investigated Graziers in the northeast USA often face forage shortages in mid- (Bassett, 1973; Kuiper and Bos, 1992). Apart from older summer. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) have been introduced in the USA as sumer-active reports in the scientific literature, the forage value of perennial herbs for pastures. We conducted two experiments at Rock plantain is relatively unknown. We have investigated Springs, PA, to evaluate chicory and plantain for yield and persistence the seedling development and establishment of plantain under clipping. 'Grasslands Puna', 'Lacerta', and 'Forage Feast' chicand found that it establishes easily from seed (Sanderson ory, and 'Ceres Tonic' and 'Grasslands Lancelot' plantain were sown and Elwinger, 2000a,b). There are some reports of mein field plots in May 1997 (Exp. 1) and 1999 (Exp. 2). Plots were cut dicinal attributes for plantain, such as anthelmintic every 3 or 5 wk in 1998 and 1999 in Exp. 1 and every 4 wk during properties, but the research is not conclusive (Knight 2000 and 2001 in Exp. 2. Dry matter yield was determined at each et al., 1996; Gustine et al., 2001). harvest. Stand densities were determined in each experiment. Forage Establishing complex pasture plant communities has Feast chicory yielded 25% less than Puna (6000 vs. 8100 kg dry matter received renewed attention (Sanderson et al., 2001). In ha Ϫ1 ; P Ͻ 0.05) in 1998, whereas yields of both cultivars were similar (P Ͼ 0.05) in 1999 and 2000. Lacerta chicory yielded 9 to 16% less New Zealand, pastures seeded with a mixture of 18 to than Puna and Forage Feast in Exp. 2. Forage Feast and Puna chicory 26 species consisting of cool-season grasses and legumes had 20 to 50% stand loss in Exp. 1 and 40 to 60% stand loss in Exp. along with several pasture herbs, including chicory and 2. Lacerta chicory lost 80% of the stand during Exp. 2. The plantain plantain, yielded more dry matter under sheep grazing cultivars yielded 6 to 14% less dry matter than Puna chicory in 1998 than did perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-white and 33 to 39% less in 2000. Both plantain cultivars, however, suffered clover (Trifolium repens L.) mixtures (Ruz-Jerez et al., a nearly complete loss of plants during the second winter after estab-1991; Daly et al., 1996). The increased production relishment in both experiments. Ceres Tonic and Lancelot plantain are sulted from greater forage growth during the summer, not suited for the northeastern USA.contributed mainly by the forb component (mostly chicory). In Scotland, trials with several mixtures of forbs, grasses, and white clover under low-input management

The forage potential of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) has not been realized in southern West Virginia (WV) because ruminants are reluctant to consume the herbage. Chicory contains bitter sesquiterpene lactones that can adversely impact palatability. This study was undertaken to determine whether sesquiterpene lactone concentrations in chicory grown in southern WV differ from those in chicory grown in central Pennsylvania (PA) where chicory is grazed readily. Herbage was collected in 1997 and 1998 from cultivars Grasslands Puna (Puna), INIA le Lacerta (Lacerta), and Forage Feast established at research sites near State College, PA, and Beckley, WV. The total concentration of sesquiterpene lactones in WV-grown cultivars was 0.58% (dry matter basis) in Puna, 0.59% in Lacerta, and 0.79% in Forage Feast in 1997 and ranged from 1.03 (Lacerta) to 1.52% (Forage Feast) in 1998. In PA-grown cultivars, sesquiterpene lactones represented 0.16 (Puna), 0.18 (Lacerta), and 0.27% (Forage Feast) of the forage dry matter in 1997 and ranged from 0.32 (Lacerta) to 0.55% (Forage Feast) in 1998. Concentrations of lactucin, lactucopicrin, and total sesquiterpene lactones in Forage Feast exceeded those in the other cultivars grown at the same site. The lowest concentrations of lactucopicrin and total sesquiterpene lactones observed among WV-grown cultivars were higher (2-fold or more) than the highest concentrations present in cultivars grown the same year in PA. Mineral analyses of soils from the two cultivation sites indicate that P availability may influence sesquiterpene lactone composition of chicory herbage. Results provide a foundation for future studies of environmental effects on sesquiterpene lactone composition and palatability of chicory herbage.

plant (Ivins, 1952; Foster, 1988). The nutritive value of plantain is relatively unknown. We have investigated Forage production in midsummer is a challenge for graziers in the seedling development and establishment of plantain the northeastern USA. Domesticated cultivars of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) are avail-and found that it establishes easily from seed (Sanderson able in the USA as perennial herbs for pastures. These species have and Elwinger, 2000a, b). Plantain also contains a number been touted as having good summer production and relatively high of biologically active compounds, such as the iridoid nutritive value. We conducted two field-plot experiments at Rock glycosides acubin and catapol, which have chemical de-

in 1985 and has been frequently used in the USA where good summer productivity has been reported (Jung et The bimodal distribution of growth of cool-season grass species Volesky, 1996). Chemical analyses indicate generates an imbalance in the amount of forage available during the summer, which could be improved by using alternative forage species.that Puna chicory is a high quality feed, and animal Several chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago performance tests suggest that high liveweight gains and lanceolata L.) cultivars were evaluated for such purpose and convoluntary feed intake are obtainable in deer (Cervus trasted against 'Pennlate' orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) under elaphus), sheep (Ovis aries), and cattle (Bos taurus) different grazing strategies in two experiments during 3 yr. In Exp. 1, (Rumball, 1986; Kusmartono et al., 1996;Barry, 1998). 'Grasslands Puna' chicory and Pennlate orchardgrass achieved similar Plantain (a.k.a. English plantain, narrow-leaf plandry matter (DM) yields during spring (6500 vs. 7250 kg DM ha Ϫ1 , tain, buckhorn plantain, ribwort, and ribgrass) has a respectively) and summer (3350 vs. 3900 kg DM ha Ϫ1 , respectively). broad distribution in grasslands throughout the temper-Between plantain cultivars, yields similar to Pennlate orchardgrass ate world (Fraser and Rowarth, 1996), and naturally were achieved by 'Grasslands Lancelot' (7350 kg DM ha Ϫ1 ) in spring occurring populations of plantain appear to have considand by 'Ceres Tonic' (3150 kg DM ha Ϫ1 ) in summer. Grazing every 3 wk vs. 5 wk reduced DM yield in summer (1650 vs. 4450 kg DM erable tolerance to drought and summer heat (Sagar and ha Ϫ1 , P Ͻ 0.001). In Exp. 2, spring DM yields of Puna chicory were Harper, 1964). Animal performance tests performed in greater than those of Pennlate orchardgrass (5750 vs. 3600 kg DM New Zealand suggest liveweight gain of lambs grazing ha Ϫ1 , average yield over years; P Ͻ 0.05). In summer, DM yield of plantain to be about 100 g animal Ϫ1 d Ϫ1 and 1 kg ha Ϫ1 Puna chicory relative to that of Pennlate orchardgrass varied between d Ϫ1 greater than that of lambs grazing ryegrass (Lolium years. Yield of Lancelot plantain decreased during 2000 and 2001 perenne) pastures (Moorhead et al., 2002). Plantain esfollowing decreases in plant density. Our results suggest that most tablishes rapidly, grows on a wide range of agricultural cultivars tested may not increase forage availability during the sumsoils, and during dry years, the species may attain DM mer, which may be related to plant density losses. Of all cultivars, yields similar to orchardgrass (Stewart, 1996). Two for-Puna chicory appeared as the most promising. Due to very low plant age cultivars are available commercially, Grasslands survival, the plantain cultivars tested may not be appropriate for perennial pastures in northeastern USA. 1200 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901; M.H. Hall, Crop and Soil Sci.

Graziers in the northeast USA often face forage shortages in midsummer. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) have been introduced in the USA as sumer‐active perennial herbs for pastures. We conducted two experiments at Rock Springs, PA, to evaluate chicory and plantain for yield and persistence under clipping. ‘Grasslands Puna’, ‘Lacerta’, and ‘Forage Feast’ chicory, and ‘Ceres Tonic’ and ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ plantain were sown in field plots in May 1997 (Exp. 1) and 1999 (Exp. 2). Plots were cut every 3 or 5 wk in 1998 and 1999 in Exp. 1 and every 4 wk during 2000 and 2001 in Exp. 2. Dry matter yield was determined at each harvest. Stand densities were determined in each experiment. Forage Feast chicory yielded 25% less than Puna (6000 vs. 8100 kg dry matter ha−1; P < 0.05) in 1998, whereas yields of both cultivars were similar (P > 0.05) in 1999 and 2000. Lacerta chicory yielded 9 to 16% less than Puna and Forage Feast in Exp. 2. Forage Feast and Puna chicory had 20 to 50% stand loss in Exp. 1 and 40 to 60% stand loss in Exp. 2. Lacerta chicory lost 80% of the stand during Exp. 2. The plantain cultivars yielded 6 to 14% less dry matter than Puna chicory in 1998 and 33 to 39% less in 2000. Both plantain cultivars, however, suffered a nearly complete loss of plants during the second winter after establishment in both experiments. Ceres Tonic and Lancelot plantain are not suited for the northeastern USA.