Effects of burning on germinability of Lehmann lovegrass

Abstract

Lehmann lovegrass (Eragostis lehmanniana Nees) may be viewed as either an undesirable exotic invader or an important ground cover and forage plant on southwestern rangelands, depending on management goals. Successional responses to management practices intended to control or enhance this grass are highly dependent on the processes of natural revegetation. The effect of seasonal burning on germinability of Lehmann lovegrass in the seedbank was investigated on the Santa Rita Experimental Range in southern Arizona. Samples of surface soil were taken for bioassay immediately after burning in February, June, July, and November for 2 years. Nearly 40% more seedlings emerged from bioassay samples taken from burned than unburned plots. The increase in germinability of Lehmann lovegrass seeds associated with fire may be one of several factors important in its observed ability to re-establish after mature plants are killed by burning.