Sandy Soil Areas Research Articles

Mesquite Age and Size in Relation to Dunes and Artifacts

-In a duneland dominated by mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana) twelve mesquite-dune complexes were analyzed in order to determine relationships between plant age, plant canopy size, and dune size. In addition, surface Indian artifacts were measured along the study transect which centered through remnants of an Indian campsite. These data were collected in an attempt to investigate the theory that mesquite is at least partially responsible for the initiation and continuation of the dune building process on the Jornada Plains. Plant age was significantly related to the volume of the plant canopy, and to the volume of the dune. Surface artifact densities tended to be highest in areas of greater dune formation, which suggests that artifacts are more visible in areas of greater soil erosion. The ring numbers, taken from these samples do support earlier observations that there has been a recent and rapid increase of mesquite on the Jornada Plains. Prior to one-hundred years ago, much of southern New Mexico was considered a desert grassland, with the hills and mesas dominated by grama grasses, Bouteloua spp. (Gardner, 1951; Buffington and Herbel, 1965). Mesquite probably occurred originally along edges of water courses, and around Indian campsites where the Indians gathered the plant for food and fuel (York and Dick-Peddie, 1969). Since that time, mesquite, along with several other shrubs, has increased significantly on sites formerly occupied by grassland (Herbel et al., 1972). On the Jornada Experimental Range, it occupied only 4.2% of the area in 1858, but by 1963 it dominated over 45% of the area, with half of that increase occurring after 1928 (Buffington and Herbel, 1965). Mesquite will spread into areas of sandy soils when grass cover is reduced by grazing and/or drought (Campbell, 1929; Buffington and Herbel, 1965; Herbel et al., 1972). This reduction enables mesquite seedlings to become established. Once mesquite is established, it will increase in density and will spread into adjacent areas under any form of management (Wright, 1960; Buffington and Herbel, 1965). Dunes start to form as exposed soils begin to accumulate around the bases of young plants. Mesquite has a taproot and numerous lateral roots (Ludwig, 1977), which extend well beyond the limits of its canopy. This allows the uptake of limited soil moisture and nutrients from adjacent areas. Soils beneath the canopy have been shown to contain higher amounts of Ca, K, Mg, N, S, and organic matter (Tiedemann and Klemmedson, 1973; Honea, 1978). Mesquite is effective in enhancing its own edaphic environment at the expense of the areas between the plants, which become devoid of most vegetation, surface litter, and topsoil (blowouts). Thus, mesquite plants, as they spread into areas, may be responsible for the initiation and continuation of the dune building process. If this concept is true, the size of the dunes should be positively related to the size and age of the plants. To test this hypothesis, we examined the relationships SOUTHWESTERN ATURALIST 28(1):89-94 FEB UARY 8, 1983 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.71 on Sat, 22 Oct 2016 04:16:53 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms The Southwestern Naturalist

The Distribution of Leopard Frogs (Rana blairi and Rana pipiens) (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) in Nebraska

Extensive collecting of leopard frogs (Rana blairi and R. pipiens) in Nebraska reveals that the large zone of sympatry heretofore recognized in central and eastern Nebraska is fragmented. Rana pipiens occurs as disjunct populations on the isolated Sandhills formations in south-central Nebraska. Within the largest zone of sympatry (in northeast Nebraska) hybridization is infrequent (hybrids comprise usually less than 5% of the pooled populations). Ecologic isolation is in part effected by selection of different substrates by the two species. Rana blairi occurs in loess soil areas whereas R,. pipiens predominates in areas of sandy soils.

Life History of the Sugar-Beet Root Maggot Tetanops myopaeformis (Röder) (Diptera: Otitidae) in Southern Alberta

Sugar beets are grown on approximately 38,000 acres of irrigated land in southern Alberta and their culture is a stabilizing influence on the economy of the irrigated districts. The sugar-beet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (Röder), has been a pest of sugar heets in the sandy soil areas of southern Alberta since 1955 and caused serious damage in the same area from 1934 to 1937. This insect has been a problem also in Manitoba, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado (Allen et al., 1959; Callenbach et al., 1957; Hawley, 1922; Jones et al., 1952; Maxson, 1948). Considerable experimental work has been done on the control of this pest in Alberta (Harper et al., 1961a; Harper et al., 1961b; Lilly et al., 1961), but there have been no detailed studies published on the life history of the insect in Canada and there is very little information from elsewhere. In 1922 Hawley published notes on the biology of the insect in Utah. The present paper describes the life history of T. myopaeformis in southern Alberta.

FACTORS INFLUENCING INFESTATION AND INJURY OF RUTABAGAS BY ROOT MAGGOTS (DIPTERA:ANTHOMYIIDAE) IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. I. FIELD STUDIES

Examinations of more than 100 rutabaga fields per year, from 1951 to 1955, showed that Hylemya brassicae (Bouché) was the only species of root maggot that injured rutabagas in Prince Edward Island. H. liturata (Mg.) (= H. trichodactyla (Rond.)), H. cilicrura (Rond.), and Muscina stabulans (Fall.) were associated with H. brassicae but did not injure the roots. H. brassicae flies [note Whitcomb (12) for illustrations] began to emerge from overwintered puparia early in June in sandy soil areas and late in July in clay loam areas. Heavy texture and high moisture content of soils were closely correlated with the delay in emergence. The flies laid their eggs near rutabaga plants, usually in crevices in the soil, and upon hatching the larvae entered and fed on the roots. Larvae generally entered the roots at a depth of one inch or more below the surface of the soil. In general, early-planted rutabagas in sandy soil areas and late plantings in clay loam areas were severely damaged by larvae of H. brassicae, whereas late plantings in sandy areas and early plantings in clay loam areas were lightly infested. However, in the sandy soil areas where all of the rutabaga crops were harvested early in August damage was relatively light. Also, fields isolated by other rutabaga fields from sources of infestation such as storage bins and infested rutabaga crops, of either the current or the previous season, were usually slightly damaged. Use of barnyard manure increased H. brassicae infestations early in the season but did not significantly influence the damage caused during the whole growing season.

Seed values of the pieces in relation to their position in the mother tuber from which they were cut, and of the whole tubers raised from aerial tubers in relation to their size, for early harvesting in Chinese yam

It is well known that the Chinese yam grown on sandy soils has good appearence and excellent quality, matures early, and is easily dug up at harvest. Therefore, it is one of the important crops in the sandy soil area of Tottori Prefecture. This report deals with the results of some experiments on the productivity of the seed tubers in relation to their position in the mother tuber from which they were cut, or to their size, on the sandy soil. 1. Pieces of 56.3g each were taken from various parts (from top to base) of long mother tubers, and were planted as seeds. The pieces cut from the top portion of the mother tubers germinated earliest, made most vigorous early vine growth, and produced highest early yield. As the position of the seed piece was far apart from the top, its germination was delayed, its yield of new tubers became less, though there was little difference among several sections of the basal portions. 2. Whole tubers which had been cultivated for one year from the aerial tubers are prefered as seeds, since they are less likely to be rotted after planting than the cut pieces. Tubers of from 37.5 to 150g were compared on their productivity in early harvesting (middle of August). The result revealed that the larger the size of the seed tuber, the higher was the early yield of new tuber, within the range of the size tested. To obtain of good size (750g or more) in middle August, it was desirable to use the seed tubers of larger size (112.5 to 150g).

STUDY ON SUBTERRANEAN WATER IN SMALL FIELDS UNDER IRRIGATION

1. Ground water in the truck fields surronding Sakai City The fields surrounding Sakai City have been irrigated from ancient times in Japan. The present report is based upon the investigation carried on by the writer concerning the irrigation method and the chemical composition of the ground water. The scale of irrigation is small, and the method of farming very intensive. The depth of the wells varies from 1 meter to 3 meters in the coastal region and in the upland from 6 ms to 10 ms, the depth of water being from 1m to 2 ms in the former and 2-6 ms in the latter. Windmills are chief means of supplying water. As to the soil, sandy soil and sand loam were found to exist in the coastal region and loam in the upland. The ground water can be classified relative to anion into the following three types according to the amount of salt contained in it: a.- Cl>NO3>SO4>HCO - in the upland. b.- SO4>Cl>HCO3>NO3 - in the reclaimed area in the northern part. c.- Cl>SO4>HCO3>NO3 or CL>SO4>NO3>HCO3 - in the coastal area. The residue in the upland is seldom under 300 p. p. m. In the northern part it is mostly above 1, 000 p. p. m. In the other parts on the coast it stands between those of the twe other areas. The varied amount of salt containd in the ground water in the respective areas is attributable to the quality of soils, quantity of fertilizers used, water waste drained out from factories, and sea water. 2. Chemical composition of irrigation water and the method of irrigation for eliminating salinity hazard in the coastal region of Osaka City For the truck fields covering 100 has of sandy soil area the following irrigation method has been used from ancient times in order to eliminate salinity hazard in the suburbs of Osaka City. When the tide is low, the flood-gate is shut, and then the draining-gate is opened allowing the saline water of the creek to flow out. The draining is completed in an hour. After that is done, the draininggate is shut and the flood-gate is opened for taking in the fresh water of the Yamato river. These are done once in three days during the summer and once in ten days in winter time. The concentration of salt in the fresh water for irrigation varies from 100 p. p. m. to 300 p. p. m. However, it is gradually increased as the water flows down towards the draining-gate, and it is as much as one third of the sea water. The figure shows the variation of concentration of salt contaiend in the water of the creek atd ifferent points (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). Relative to the varied concentration of salt in the creek water due to the encroachment of sea water, the fomula - Cl>Mg>SO4>Ca can be established. However, the composition of pond water and that of ground water are complicated, and chi efly the formula- Cl>Ca>Mg>SO4 is possible in their case. A large quantity of phoshate and nitrate is contained in them.

The Results of Recent Studies of Hookworm in Eight Southern States 1

Summary 1. Hookworm surveys in eight southern states were made during the periods 1910–1914 and 1930–1938. In the early period, 577,590 specimens of feces were examined, and in the later period, 424,511. The numbers found positive in the early and later periods were 240,895 and 81,913 respectively. 2. After adjustment for the distribution of the population the percentage found positive in six of the eight states was 36.6 per cent in the earlier period and 11.2 per cent in the later period, resulting in a reduction of 68.3 per cent. 3. In the later study the states in the order of prevalence from highest to lowest were as follows: Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. 4. While there is a widespread distribution of hookworm, the areas of highest incidence are confined to the coastal plain and sandy soil areas of each state. 5. The age distribution shows that the greatest prevalence was in the group 5 to 19 years of age. The peak of incidence, 24.5 per cent, was reached in the age period 15 to 19. In preschool children and adults the incidence was about one-half as great as that found in the school age group. 6. The distribution of all positive cases shows that about one-fourth of the individuals had moderate, heavy or very heavy worm infestations sufficiently severe to produce clinical symptoms. The remainder of the cases were classified as very light or light infestations. 7. The data analyzed with reference to household groups seemed to indicate that the individual worm burden tended to increase as the number of infested persons in the family increased. 8. A comparison was made of hookworm in 17,458 negroes and 59,028 white persons in the same counties during 1930–1938. The incidence in negroes was about one fourth that in white individuals and the average intensity of infestation was about one-half that found in white persons.