Grass Establishment Research Articles

Interactions between fertilizer use and leatherjacket control in grassland

AbstractA coordinated experiment was set up in eight fields of established grass; four In Northern Ireland and four in the West of Scotland. At each site one of three different fertilizer rates (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha‐1) were applied to plots that had previously either received a 0.72 kg ha‐1 chlorpyrifos treatment to control leatherjackets or no spray. Both fertilizer and insecticide applications increased herbage yields. Yield increases in response to chlorpyrifos treatments were equivalent to that obtained from 75 kg N but were not linearly related to leatherjacket numbers. A curvilinear function relating loss per leatherjacket to population size was derived and its validity is discussed. It is concluded that herbage yield increases resulting from chlorpyrifos and nitrogen applications were independent and cumulative.

Transition from heathland to grassland initiated by the heather beetle

This paper discusses the transition from heather-dominated vegetation to one dominated by grass. The dominating species involved are Calluna vulgaris and Deschampsia flexuosa. The study covered three years, 1980–82, and was done at the Hoorneboeg heathland in the Netherlands. Several factors account for this transition: damage caused by the chrysomelid heather beetle Lochmaea suturalis Thomson, soil type, and interaction between beetle damage and Deschampsia when already present underneath or in the immediate vicinity of a Calluna canopy. There was a time-lag between beetle damage and grass establishment or expansion. In fact, this transition concerns a type of vegetation succession and can be treated as such. This succession therefore involves several causative factors external to the system Calluna-Deschampsia. The successional process is conceived as a stochastic one defined by transition probabilities which depend on a time component, a space component and a logistic response component. All these components are discussed in this paper, but the discussion of yet another component, the crowding of Deschampsia itself, will be treated separately.

Productivity in a Strip Tillage Vegetable Production System

Abstract Strip tillage was evaluated over a 2-year period as a cropping system for sites unsuitable for conventional tillage. Yields in clean cultivation and in 0.5- and 1.1-m strips tilled in established grass or grass/clover sod were compared in 1982 for sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and winter squash (Cucurbita maxima L.). Both interspecific and intraspecific competition were determined in 1983 for pepper. Squash yield was improved by a grass/legume sod, but pepper yield was unaffected. Both crops suffered severe competition in 1982 when grown in 0.5-m-wide strips, but yields per hectare in strips 1.1m wide equaled that in clean cultivation. In 1983, however, number of marketable fruit per hectare of marketable yield of pepper in 1.1-m strips was less than that in clean cultivated plots, although total number of harvested fruit did not differ. Both marketable and total pepper yields per hectare were significantly higher in clean cultivation in 1983 than in strips. Increasing the population density of pepper in the strip increased number of fruit harvested and total weight per hectare, and there was a significant benefit in using double rows. Competition in strips accompanying increasing population density seemed to be associated with increased water deficits.

The fate at several time intervals of 15N‐labelled ammonium nitrate applied to an established grass sward

SUMMARY 15N‐labelled ammonium nitrate solution was applied in late April to circular, enclosed micro‐plots prepared by pressing open‐ended polypropylene cylinders into an established sward of perennial ryegrass. Cylinders were removed from the ground at intervals between 2 and 370 days after the application and assessments made of the distribution of 15N in plant and soil components. Of the added labelled N, 54.7% was recovered in the herbage which was cut four times during the growing season and again at the final sampling date. After two days, 37% of the labelled N was recovered in the soil microbial biomass. Large fluctuations occurred in the amount of 15N recovered in the soil microbial biomass over the next 14 days suggesting that rapid cycling of 15N occurred between this fraction and the mineral N fraction. After the first cut in late May, translocation of15N occurred more slowly from the roots into the stubble than from stubble into new herbage, so that the amount in the stubble declined more rapidly than did that in the roots. During the winter, there was no net transfer of N from the roots to above‐ground components of the sward. By the end of the growing season, half the 15N remaining in the sward was immobilized in the humified fraction of the soil organic matter; some of this was mineralized in the following spring.

The effect of seeding rate and weed control on the establishment of Rhodes grass in the Eastern Cape

Abstract The effect of four seeding rates (3; 6; 12 and 24 kg/ha), four methods of weed control (nil, mowing, 4 l/ha of 2,4‐D amine and hand weeding) and two times of cutting (late boot stage and end of season) on the establishment and yield of a Rhodes grass pasture was investigated. The experiment was first sown in 1980 and repeated in the same form in 1982. Mother and daughter plants were counted and the canopy cover of Rhodes grass was estimated a year after seeding. Subsequently, the experiments were harvested a number of times. Seeding rate, weed control and cutting affected the density of plants. The higher densities affected the yield of the pasture initially only. The value of using more than 3 kg/ha of commercial certified seed is doubtful. The use of adequate measures to control weeds does seem to be economically justified.

The effect of nitrogen level and time of sowing on the establishment of white clover ( Tripolium repens) on colliery spoil

Methods of establishing white clover ( Trifolium repens) on colliery spoil were investigated in a 2-year greenhouse experiment by varying nitrogen fertiliser levels and clover sowing times with respect to those of companion Lolium perenne. Clover established best at the lowest nitrogen levels when sown with the grass. When sown into established grass swards, best clover growth occurred after the spoil nitrogen supply had become depleted. As mineralisable nitrogen levels in the spoil fell, white clover became dominant, even in swards where it had initially established poorly. In the second growing season, herbage yield was equivalent to 1320 g DM m -2, of which 90% was white clover. Mineralisable nitrogen levels were still very low. It is suggested that this is because most of the nitrogen fixed (estimated at # 40 g N m -2) was utilised by the clover in shoot growth and was removed at harvests.

Effects of pasture Establishment and Renovation Techniques on the Hymenopterous Parasitoids of Oscinella frit L. and Other Stem-Boring Diptera in Ryegrass

(1) Different levels of attack by hymenopterous parasitoids occurred in stem-boring larval Diptera in swards which had been re-seeded after conventional cultivation or by direct drilling or which had been improved by the addition of nitrogen fertilizer. (2) Numbers of the major parasitoid of established grass, Chasmodon apterus Nees (a wingless braconid), were greatly reduced by ploughing and re-seeding, but were reduced to a lesser extent by chemical desiccation with the herbicide glyphosate and direct drilling. (3) Otherr (alate) parasitoids showed greater prevalence in seeding grass than established grass. Four months after sowing, over 40% of stem-boring larvae were parasitized. (4) Changes in host population numbers were correlated with the initial level of parasitoid attack.

Establishment of Range Grasses on Various Seedbeds at Creosotebush [Larrea tridentata] Sites in Arizona, U.S.A., and Chihuahua, Mexico

Perennial grasses were seeded by drilling or broadcasting on 4 mechanical and 3 herbicidal weed control and/or seedbed preparation treatments at 4 semidesert grassland sites invaded by creosotebush (Zarrea tridcnutu) in the Chfuahuan and Sonoran Deserts. The cultivars ‘Cochise’ Atherstone lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana X Eragrostis trichophera) and ‘Catalina’ Boer lovegrass (Effrgrostis curvuIo var. coqferta) lovegrasses were initially established and persisted in 6 of the 8 plantings on disk plowed and disk plowed plus contour furrowed seedbeds. These grasses were established and persisted in 2 of the 5 plantings made in creosotebush stands treated with tebuthiuron [JV-(S-(l,l-dimethylethyl)1,3,4-thiadizol-2-yl)imethylurea] at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg a.i/ha rates. Grasses established initially on two-way railed and land imprinted areas usually died within 3 or 4 years. Creosotebush (Larrea tridentata), a woody perennial shrub, has invaded the semidesert grasslands within the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts of North America (Humphrey 1958, Buffington and Herbel 1965, Hastings and Turner 1965). As creosotebush densities increase, perennial grass densities decline (Anderson et al. 1957). Therefore, it is desirable to replace creosotebush with perennial grasses to reduce soil erosion, increase infiltration, and provide forage for domestic livestock. Jerry COY. and Howard Morton are range scientist and supervisory plant physiologist, respectively; USDA, Agricultural Research Services Aridland Watershed Management Research Unit, 2000 E. Allen Road, Tucson, Artz. 85719, Martha Martin-R. and Fernando Ibarra-F. are head of the Department of Range Management and Technical Director, respectively, CIPES, Periferico OTS S/N, Conjunto UGRS, Postal 1754, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. When this study was initiated Martha Martin-R. and Fernando Ibarra-F. were graduate students, School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson. Appreciation is extended to Consejo National de Ciencia y Tecnologia (Mexico) for financial support; Elanco Products Company for the herbicide and fencing materials at the Mexican sites; Drs. Luis Carlos Fierro, Thomas N. Johnsen, Jr., and Gilbert L. Jordan for technical assistance; personnel at Rancho Experimental La Campana, Chihuahua, Mexico, and Aridland Watershed Management Research Unit, Tucson, Aria., for setting up plots, applying treatments, and collecting data; and ranchers Eloy Morales, Sergio Mendora, and Gilbert0 Valdez for permission to use their land and housing facilities. The Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station gave permission to use land at the Santa Rita Experimental Range. Lovegrass seeds were provided by U.S. Dep. Agr., Soil Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center, Tucson, Arizona. Kleingrass and sideoats grama seeds were provided by Rancho Experimental La Campana. Buffelgrass seeds were provided by Centro de Investigations Pecuarias de1 Estado Sonora, Garbo, Sonora, Mexico. Manuscript accepted 5 May 1986. 540 For the past 90 years creosotebush management has consisted of mechanical tillage to reduce creosotebush competition and prepare a seedbed for seeding perennial grasses (Cox et al. 1982). Mechanical tillage disturbs surface soils and aids in rainwater infiltration (Jordan 1981), but seedings at creosotebush site were seldom successful and the treated area is usually reinvaded by creosotebush or annual forbs and grasses (Cox et al. 1984a). Pelleted tebuthiuron [N-(5-(1,ldimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol2-yl)-WWdimethylurea] effectively controls creosotebush (Jacoby et al. 1982) and perennial grasses can be established if grass seeds and pellets are applied at the same time (Baur et al. 1977). Grass seedlings, however, may not survive if pellets are applied after seeds germinate because seedling roots encounter the herbicide as it moves through the upper soil profile (Baur 1979). The semidesert grasslands of the southwestern U.S.A. and northern Mexico are of great importance to the livestock industry, but the chances of reestablishing forage grasses are low because of erratic precipitation in summer. Therefore, it is important to address the effects of precipitation on plant establishment, persistence, and forage production. More than 300 forb, grass, and shrub species have been sown at 400 locations in the southwestern U.S.A. and northern Mexico during the past 90 years (Cox et al. 1982). A successful seeding was more likely to occur if seed of the following species were sown prior to the summer rains: (1) ‘A-68’ Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), (2) ‘A-84’ and (3) ‘Catalina’ Boer lovegrass (E. curvula var. conferta), (4) ‘Cochise’ Atherstone lovegrass (E. lehmanniana X E. trichophera), (5) ‘S-75’ Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum), (6) ‘Premier’sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and (7) ‘common’ buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Researchers have evaluated either the relationships between mechanical seedbed preparation and grass establishment or chemical seedbed preparations and grass establishment, but have not attempted to directly compare both seedbed preparations. The purpose of this study was to compare establishment potential and persistence of 7 perennial grasses sown in mechanically and chemically prepared seedbeds.

Broadcasting Grass Seed to Revegetate Sandy Soils

Broadcasting Grass Seed to Revegetate Sandy Soils

Wildlife Use of Shrubs on Reclaimed Surface-Mined Land in Northeastern Wyoming

Aboveground biomass and wildlife browsing of 3-year-old fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) and common winterfat (Ceratoides lanata) on reclaimed coal surface-mined land in northeastern Wyoming was estimated from crown dimensions and by measuring lengths of newly produced twigs, respectively. During winter 1982-83, browsing reduced lengths of new saltbush twigs 36-41% and crown dry weights by 43-52%. Browsing reduced average length of winterfat twigs and crown dry weights by 45%. Accumulation of aboveground biomass of browsed and unbrowsed shrubs was similar during the 1982 growing season, whereas overwinter browsing stimulated new twig growth and resulted in 4 x greater increases in biomass/100 g initial plant weight during the 1983 growing season. Net gain in biomass of browsed saltbush was not significantly less than that of protected shrubs, whereas winterfat biomass decreased due to browsing. Fourwing saltbush and winterfat on reclaimed areas sustained moderate winter use without being eliminated by browsing effects. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 50(4):714-718 Shrubs are an important component of successfully reclaimed surface-mined rangeland because they provide browse and cover for a variety of native and domestic animals and increase ecosystem diversity (Richardson and Trussell 1981, Booth 1985, Parmenter et al. 1985). However, survival and growth of shrubs on reclaimed mines is often poor during the 1st few years after establishment (Bjugstad et al. 1981, McKell and Van Epps 1981, Holechek et al. 1982). Establishment of late-seral species is often especially difficult (Stetler and Mikol 1981). For example, reclamation procedures that promoted grass establishment reduced the success of winterfat seedlings due to increased competition (Ferguson and Frischknecht 1981), and competition with annual weeds had a negative impact on the survival and growth of fourwing saltbush and winterfat seedlings (Van Epps and McKell 1983). Browsing by native herbivores would be expected to reduce the survival of shrub seedlings under such stressful conditions (Booth and Schuman 1981, McKell and Van Epps 1981). However, there has been little quantification of the effects of browsing on shrubs established on reclaimed rangeland. Our objective was to study the effects of browsing by big game on fourwing saltbush and winterfat on reclaimed surface-mined (coal) land in Wyoming. Observations included determination of the season that browsing of shrubs occurred, the magnitude of use, and the response of shrubs to browsing and protection within exclosures. Medcraft and Clark (1986) had previously quantified the occurrence of fourwing saltbush and winterfat in the diets of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghor (Antilocapra americana) at the same reclaimed sites. Research was supported by the Rapid City Unit, U.S. For. Serv. Rocky Mtn. For. and Range Exp. S n., AMAX Coal Co., Boone and Crockett Club, and Natl. Wildl. Fed. We acknowledge the cooperation of the U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Iowa Coop. Wildl. Res. Unit, and thank D. G. Steward and D. W. Uresk for reviews of the manuscript. This is Pap. J-11579 of the Iowa Agric. Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, Proj. 2401.

Cultural Practices for Establishing Fourwing Saltbush within Perennial Grass Stands

Cultural Practices for Establishing Fourwing Saltbush within Perennial Grass Stands

Grass Establishment on Uranium Exploration Sites in New Mexico

Grass Establishment on Uranium Exploration Sites in New Mexico

Establishing surface-sown pastures in a Poa labillardieri-Themeda australis association

The effects of time and rate of application of glyphosate, 2,2-DPA and tetrapion on Poa labillardieri and Themeda australis were measured in seven experiments carried out 55 km south of Braidwood, on the southern tablelands of New South Wales between 1980 and 1982. In an eighth experiment (1981) and in a 35-ha demonstration (1983), at the same site, the effects of applying herbicides (before and after the autumn break) and surface-sowing Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea and Trifiolium repens with fertiliser on the control of P. labillardieri were ascertained. All three herbicides proved effective in reducing the ground cover of P. labillardieri from applications at any time of the year. For T. australis, tetrapion proved effective when applied at any time of the year, while glyphosate and 2,2-DPA were effective in all seasons except winter. Glyphosate at rates between 0.72 and 1.44 kg/ha a.i. was more cost effective than 2,2-DPA (11.1 kg/ha a.i.) and tetrapion (3.75 kg/ha a.i.). Best establishment and development of sown grasses and legumes was attained by applying herbicides after the autumn break but before heavy frosts, and then surface-sowing 1-3 months later. Control of P. labillardieri was best where P. aquatica and F. arundinacea established most densely.

Morphology and Growth in Seedlings of Several C4, Perennial Grasses

Morphology and Growth in Seedlings of Several C4, Perennial Grasses

Effect of seed coating on establishment and yield of grasses on a West Coast pakihi soil

Abstract Coating grass seed with a lime reverted superphosphate/tale magnesite mix improved the establishment and yield of ‘Grasslands Ruanui’ and ‘Grasslands Manawa’ ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on a pakihi soil, but had no effect on the establishment and yield of ‘Grasslands Apanui’ cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) or ‘Grasslands Kahu’ timothy (Phleum pratense L.).

The use of a reflectance ratio meter to monitor grass establishment and herbicide damage

AbstractA sensor which detects the presence of green vegetation against a brown background was used to monitor the establishment of plots of Lolium perenne and Poa trivialis, either hand weeded or unweeded. The spectral assessments obtained by the meter were very closely related to the proportion of ground cover, assessed photographically, and harvested dry weight of the two species, at least up to 100 days (approx. 50% ground cover) from sowing, Such spectral assessments therefore provide a rapid, non‐destructive method of monitoring changes in green‐leaf biomass of establishing grasses. In a complementary investigation the meter provided accurate and objective assessments of scorch damage to grasses caused by various herbicides.

Common Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Competition in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of various densities of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers. ♯ CYNDA] in cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. ‘Stoneville 213’) during the initial and second seasons following grass establishment and to evaluate bermudagrass competition in three cotton row spacings. During the season of grass establishment, densities of 1 to 16 plugs/7.5 m of cotton row had minimal effects on yield. Established, perennated bermudagrass was much more competitive. During second-season competition, 1 plug/7.5 m had formed a 76% ground cover and reduced yields by 600 kg/ha (25%) or more. The highest densities reduced yields 60 to 80%. In separate experiments, a cotton row spacing of 0.5 m reduced bermudagrass ground cover compared to 1.5 m row spacing.

Topsoil and Mulch Effects on Plant Species and Community Responses of Revegetated Mined Land

Replacement of topsoil and the use of mulches for soil stabilization have become important components of mined land reclamation plans in the western United States. Four topsoil depths (0,20, 40, and 60 cm) and 2 mulch methods [crimped straw and standing barley (Hordeurn vulgare I,. Otis) stubble] were investigated on uranium mined land in Wyoming. Although 20 cm of topsoil provided initial benefits to stand establishment, after 4 growing seasons, 48 cm of topsoil was required to improve seeded grass growth over that found in non-topsoiled plots. Forty centimeters annual and biennial forbs (nonseeded species). Barley stubble mulch resulted in significantly (P = 0.05) higher biomass of seeded grass species than did crimped straw mulch when at least 40 cm of topsoil was present. Despite a decline in energy demand in the early part of this decade, coal and uranium mining continues to disturb hundreds of hectares in Wyoming each year. Reclamation of these lands must be a prime consideration in mining if productive rangeland is not to be lost. The application of topsoil and use of mulches as temporary site stabilizers have become important components of many surface mine reclamation programs. Questions remain, however, as to the amount of topsoil required for sustained site productivity and the type of mulch best suited to particular reclamation needs. Regulations at both federal and state levels now require salvage and redistribution of topsoil on mined areas. Numerous studies have shown that depth of reapplied topsoil and topsoil plus subsoil significantly influence aboveground plant production (Power et al. 1979, Schuman et al. 1984, Schuman and Power 1981), root growth (McGinnies and Nicholas 1980), and soil water relationships (Power et al. 1981, Schuman et al. 1980) on mined land. Quality of topsoil and spoil materials, climatic factors, seeded plant species requirements, and concurrent reclamation practices all appear to influence the optimal topsoil depth for a given area. Widespread use of mulches on mined sites has been based upon findings that mulches provide needed soil stabilization (Jones et al. 1969, Meyer et al. 1970), promote water conservation (Hopkins 1954, Winterlin et al. 1958, Dudeck et al. 1970), and often shorten the time needed for adequate plant establishment (Farmer et al. 1974, Aldon 1978). At present, straw and hay mulches are most commonly used in the Northern Great Plains. A number of studies have also evaluated the suitability of various annual species as temporary stabilizers (Sindelar et al. 1973, Dollhopf and Majerus 1975, DePuit et al. 1978). Further interest in stubble mulching has been promoted by the findings of Schuman’et al. (1980). Stubble mulching has been reported to result in equal or greater establishment of perennial grasses than has straw mulch and at 75 to 95% of the cost. This study was conducted to evaluate vegetation responses on Authors are research associate, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523 (former graduate assistant, Range Management Division. University of Wyoming, Laramie 8207 I); soil scientist, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, 8408 Hildreth Road, Cheyenne, Wyo. 82009; and assistant professor, Range Management Division, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo. 82071. This research is a contribution from the USDA Agricultural Research Service and the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station. Published as Journal Article Series paper JA 1298, Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station. Manuscript accepted August 23, 1984. seeded uranium mined lands to varied topsoil depth and mulch

PRAIRIE GRASS ESTABLISHMENT AFFECTED BY SEED TREATMENT AND SOWING DATE

Effects of two different fungicide seed treatments, inoculation of seed with teliospores of the head smut fungus (Ustilago bullata Berk.), and five different autumn sowing dates, on establishment of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth cv. 'Grasslands Matua,'), were examined in a field trial. Seedling establishment was increased by thiram seed treatment and decreased by inoculation of seed with U. bullata. Greater numbers of seedlings established from early sowings, when soil temperatures were higher, than from late sowings. Suitable seed treatments to increase the likelihood of successful establishment of prairie grass are discussed. Keywords: Bromus willdenowii, seedling establishment, seed treatments, thiram, Ustilago bullata, sowing dates, soil temperatures

Establishment and persistence of surface-sown and resident grasses using three pasture development methods in relation to three stocking managements

The botanical composition of pastures improved by three different methods (viz. fertilizer only; seed and fertilizer; and herbicide, seed and fertilizer), were compared on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. After sowing, the pastures were grazed strategically for 6 months before three continuous stocking rate treatments (5.0, 7.5 and 10 Merino wethers/ha) were applied to each treatment. After 3 years, all paddocks were continuously grazed by 10 Merino wethers/ha for a further 4 years. The establishment of sown species was improved by herbicide application and the lowest stocking rate. Of the four species sown, Phalaris aquatica showed the greatest response to herbicide application, while the cover of Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glornerata increased at the lowest stocking rate. These factors were less critical for Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne for which differences in level of cover between improvement methods disappeared within 12 months. The effects of the strategic management treatments were inconsistent. The resident pasture failed to recover from herbicide treatment and cover and growth of most grasses was depressed by the presence of sown grasses even in the absence of herbicide. The proportion of winter-active native species in the pasture increased with increasing stocking rate.