Cultural Practices for Establishing Fourwing Saltbush within Perennial Grass Stands

Abstract

Establishment of fourwing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.] on rangelands in western Texas could improve forage production and quality. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate establishment and growth of fourwing saltbush in grass stands as affected by width of tilled seedbed, fertilization, and competition from various grasses. Four-month-old seedlings were transplanted on 1.8-m centers and seeds were planted in 10-cm-wide, ripped areas and in 46- or 91-cm-wide, tilled strips within a dense stand of sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.]. Transplanted seedlings were fertilized with nitrogen (N) (50 kg/ha), phosphorus (P) (50 kg/ha), or N+P (50+50 kg/ha). Survival and size of transplanted seedlings were significantly (P is less than or equal to 0.01) greater after 17 months in tilled than in ripped strips. Standing crops of competing vegetation were about 50% greater in ripped than in tilled areas. Fertilizer did not affect survival of fourwing saltbush seedlings or standing crops of competing vegetation. However, P increased (P is less than or equal to 0.05) mean canopy height and diameter of 17-month-old fourwing saltbush seedlings 50 and 67%, respectively, compared to those of plants receiving no fertilizer or N. Very few seedlings established following direct seeding. Survival and growth of transplanted fourwing saltbush seedlings were significantly (P≤0.05) greater in competition-free plots than in interspaces between rows of various species or short-, mid-, and tall grasses, and survival decreased as height of grasses increased.