Contour-Furrowing and Seeding on Nuttall Saltbush Rangeland of Wyoming

Abstract

A Nuttall saltbush (Atriplex gardneri) site in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming was contour-furrowed and seeded to crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) by the Bureau of Land Management in 1957 as part of a range improvement and watershed management program. In 1962 total herbage production on the treated area was 972 lb/acre compared to 412 lb/acre for untreated range. Greater production was due to both the yield of crested wheatgrass and improved vigor of Nuttall saltbush. By 1972 total production of the treated area declined to 590 lb/acre but was still 54% greater than the control. Coincident with decreased production, foliage cover of crested wheatgrass decreased by 74% and Nuttall saltbush 50%, part of which can be attributed to reduced waterholding capacity of the furrows by about 30% from their original capability. The untreated native range produced 384 lb/acre in 1972, which was not appreciably different from production 10 years previously. Likewise, foliage cover percentages remained relatively stable.