25 



Dryland alfalfa and intermediate and tall wheatgrasses are 

 better prospects than small grains for drying out soil and subsoil on 

 recharge areas (5). Sweetclover, sainfoin, vetch, corn, millet, and 

 safflower were also tested by the MSU team, but these plants used 

 less soil moisture than wheatgrass or alfalfa. Although effective, 

 widespread conversion to these crops will raise serious economic, 

 ecologic, and practical questions. For example, can farmers adapt 

 mechanization to changing crops and still be able to operate at a 

 profit? Can a market for forage or seed crops be established and 

 maintained in a region now largely devoted to cereal crops? What will 

 be the long-term environmental consequences of such crop conversions? 



According to the MSU studies, Kochia is effective at reducing 

 soil water; it grows primarily in saline soils on discharge areas; 

 and it may produce over five tons of forage an acre (4), Kochia also 

 makes excellent hay; "cattle eat it just like alfalfa (1)" Besides being 

 palatable, it is nutritious (12). 



Although deep-rooted and a vigorous water user, Kochia left 

 standing over winter will trap snow, which will contribute to the seep 

 the following spring. No evidence shows, however, that such moisture 

 accumulation in the form of snow will exceed or even approach the amount 

 used by the plant during the growing season. Furthermore, snow accumu- 

 lation on discharge areas (where Kochia grows) is not as critical in 

 perpetuating seeps as accumulation on recharge areas. Kochia is 



