Emergence and Survival of Honey Mesquite Seedlings on Several Soils in West Texas

Abstract

Results from field and laboratory studies indicated that germination and emergence was adequate on soils that supported heavy densities, low densities, or no mesquite for establishment of dense populations of honey mesquite. Absence of honey mesquite or low densities of this species on soils where seeds are readily deposited by natural mechanisms could not be explained by soil chemical or physical properties that might inhibit seed germination or emergence of seedlings. In field studies, seedling emergence was not related to the density of honey mesquite presently growing on six range sites. At the end of the first growing season and at 1 year after planting, seedling survival was inversely related to density of honey mesquite. Two years after planting, seedling survival was not related to density of mesquite supported by the six soils. In this short-term study, competition with associated herbaceous vegetation overshadowed the effects of soil properties on survival of honey mesquite seedlings.