Effects of Tillage and Manure on Emergence and Establishment of Russian Wildrye in a Saltgrass Meadow
Issue Date
1985-11-01Keywords
manureDistichlis spicata var. stricta
saline soils
cultivation
tillage
meadows
Psathyrostachys juncea
seedling emergence
soil fertility
semiarid zones
soil chemistry
establishment
Colorado
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Mueller, D. M., Bowman, R. A., & McGinnies, W. J. (1985). Effects of tillage and manure on emergence and establishment of Russian Wildrye in a Saltgrass meadow. Journal of Range Management, 38(6), 497-500.Publisher
Society for Range ManagementJournal
Journal of Range ManagementDOI
10.2307/3899739Additional Links
https://rangelands.org/Abstract
Saltgrass [Distichlis stricta (Torr.) Rydb.] meadows are found in lowland areas throughout the western United States. Saltgrass meadows are frequently more moist than upland sites and have good production potential if relatively unpalatable saltgrass is replaced by a more palatable species. The electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio of saltgrass meadow soils often increase with soil profile depth, while total N and sodium-bicarbonate extractable P decrease. Cultural practices that do not mix the deeper, more saline horizons with the surface should increase seedling germination and establishment. Field studies evaluated the effects of chisel plowing followed by vertical-axis tilling, conventional tilling (moldboard-plowing and discing), and manure (0, 11, 22, 45, and 90 Mg/ha) on soil physical and chemical characteristics as they relate to germination and establishment of Russian wildrye [Elymus junceus Fisch.]. Chisel plowing followed by vertical-axis tilling increased seedling emergence by 23% over conventional tillage. Manure increased seedling growth and emergence, but had no effect on stand ratings. The poor physical conditions created on the conventionally tilled plots when the B and C horizons were brought to the surface and organic matter was buried by the plow are believed to have caused the difference in seedling counts between the two tillage treatments.Type
textArticle
Language
enISSN
0022-409Xae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.2307/3899739