Kochia Kochia scoparia L. Roth, also known as fireweed, burning bush or summer cypress, was introduced to the United States around 1900 as an ornamental from Eurasia. Gardeners like this annual plant for its bright red foliage in autumn. Farmers in dry areas, including the Southwest, have grown kochia as a droughtresistant forage crop on lands where other crops are difficult to grow hence the nickname poor mans alfalfa. Because of kochias low water requirements and resistance to diseases and insects, interest in it as a forage crop has increased in the last decade. Researchers at South Dakota State College have selected seeds from wild plants and produced satisfactory yields of leafy foliage. Kochia, with its high protein content, requires relatively large amounts of nitrogen 100 to 250 lbacre. If too much nitrogen is applied at once, however, toxic levels of nitrate may accumulate in the plants. Oxalate toxicity, which causes rough hair, humpback, jaundice, photosensitization and a stiff gait in livestock, is another potential problem for cattle that graze only on kochia for periods of 90 to 120 days. Kochia grows wild throughout most of the northern half of the United States, except for parts of the Pacific Northwest. The plant has become a serious droughtresistant weed in the Plains states. Because of the wide genetic variability in wild kochia, it is possible that the problems associated with the plant as a forage crop can be overcome with plant breeding.

Address: 625 Agriculture Mall Dr., West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2010
Telephone: (765) 494-1300
Website: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/kochia.html