Get reliable rangeland science

Supplemental irrigation generally increased seedling density the seeding year; however, this response was not maintained the year following seeding. Above-average precipitation minimized the importance of irrigation the seeding year. Seeding mixture appeared important with a 6- and 4-species mixture providing better establishment than a 2-species mixture. This was apparently due to the relatively large proportion of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in the 2-species mixture and its generally poor establishment. The reduced seeding rate resulted in better stand establishment than the recommended rate on a tilled seedbed (1.1 and 0.7 seedlings/0.1 m2, respectively), while neither seeding rate provided an acceptable stand (>0.5 seedlings/0.1 m2) with the no-till treatment in small plot evaluations. Seedbed tillage also resulted in a higher seedling density than no-tillage (1.3 and 0.5 seedlings/0.1 m2, respectively) for the production-level field trial. Seedling density was doubled with depth bands (1.2 vs. 0.6 seedlings/0.1 m2). These results suggested that a tilled seedbed on sandy cropland with adequate moisture results in successful stands. A native, warm-season grass mixture (4 or more species) is recommended with a seeding rate of 15 PLS/0.1 m2 using equipment with depth bands. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. 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