Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Establishment of silver sagebrush in the Northern Mixed Prairie
Author
Romo, J. T.
Grilz, R. W.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2002-05-01
Body

Interest has been expressed in using silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana Pursh ssp. cana) in restoring the Northern Mixed Prairie in Saskatchewan. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of seedbed manipulation treatments and autumn or spring sowing on establishment of silver sagebrush on sites previously seeded to native, perennial grasses. Seeds (achenes) were sown by broadcasting at 20 pure live seeds m(-2). Seedling emergence ranged from 5 to 6% of seeds sown. Most seedlings emerged in May and June; no seedlings emerged after July or in the second year after planting. Seventy-four to 84% of emerging seedlings survived the first growing season with 96 to 98% of these seedlings establishing. On upland sites, seedling emergence (1.1 seedlings m(-2) SE +/- 0.1) and establishment (0.9 seedlings m(-2) SE +/- 0.1) were similar between autumn and spring sowing and among seedbed manipulation treatments. On lowland sites, seedling emergence (1.4 seedlings m(-2) SE+0.2) and establishment (0.8 seedlings m(-2) SE +/- 0.2) were similar between autumn and spring seeding. Density of seedlings establishing was greatest when the seedbed was tilled. Establishment of silver sagebrush appears primarily limited by low numbers of seedlings emerging, indicating very specific safe site requirements for this shrub. Drastic disturbance of the seedbed is not required to establish silver sagebrush in established stands of perennial grasses. Sowing silver sagebrush in late autumn when temperatures are consistently below 0 degrees C or in early spring immediately after snowmelt is recommended. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/4003126
Additional Information
Romo, J. T., & Grilz, R. W. (2002). Establishment of silver sagebrush in the Northern Mixed Prairie. Journal of Range Management, 55(3), 217-221.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/643650
Journal Volume
55
Journal Number
3
Journal Pages
217-221
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
mowing
sowing date
natural resource management
artemisia cana
haymaking
tillage
seedbed preparation
glyphosate
highlands
lowlands
seedling emergence
sowing rates
precipitation
plant communities
land restoration
application rates
establishment
temperature
seasonal variation
Artemisia cana spp. cana
ecological restoration
seedling establishment
seedbed ecology