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ECONOMICS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF BIOSOLIDS TO REHABILITATE OLD BOER LOVEGRASS PASTURES IN NORTHERN SONORA, MÉXICO
Author
Al-Hamdan, Osama Z.
Pierson, Frederick B.
Nearing, Mark A.
Jason Williams, C.
Hernandez, Mariano
Denogean-Ballesteros, Francisco G.
Retes-Lopez, Rafael
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2014
Body

Forage production with Boer lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula var. conferta) increases two to three fold as compared to native grasses but productivity declines as stands become old. This study was conducted at Cananea, Sonora, México to evaluate forage responses of old Boer lovegrass stands following biosolids applications and to evaluate the economic impact. Biosolids were hand-applied during 2006 on triplicate 25 m2 plots. Variables evaluated were plant density, height, basal cover, forage production, changes in animal carrying capacity and net income. All variables were measured three growing seasons after biosolids application. A randomized complete block design was used. Data was analyzed by ANOVA (P?0.05). Plant density, height, and basal cover were significantly increased (P?0.05) by biosolids. Boer lovegrass density increased from 43.2 to 67.6 %; plant height increased from 36.7 to 41.6 %; and basal cover increased from 37.0 to 52.4 % in plots treated with biosolids at rates of 25 and 50 t/ha, respectively. Total forage production averaged 0.96 t/ha dry matter basis in the checks and increased 69.8 and 113.3 % on plots treated with 25 and 50 t/ha of biosolids, respectively. Biosolids significantly increased Boer lovegrass plant density, height, basal cover and forage production even three growing seasons after application at rates of 25 and 50 t/ha in a semiarid rangelands. Ranchers using biosolids may almost double the grazing capacity and the production potential of their rangelands. Ranchers using biosolids to restore productivity in old Boer lovegrass stands may increase income from $127.30 to 245.20 pesos/ha/year.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Orlando, FL
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts