Seedling Emergence and Survival from Different Seasons and Rates of Seeding Mountain Rangelands

Abstract

At a mountain rangeland site in southeastern Idaho, a mixture of five grasses was drilled at 10 and 25 lb/acre at six seasons each year for 4 years. The 25-lb rate produced significantly more seedlings than the 10-lb rate, but 10 lb was slightly more efficient in producing seedlings. Seedling survival was best from seeding in June, followed closely by July 1 and then November 1, October 1, September 1, and August 1. As an average of both seeding rates, per 100 seeds of the mixture planted in June, 12 plants emerged, five were alive at the end of 1 year, and two at the end of 3 years. At each planting time, intermediate wheatgrass seed was placed between nylon strips in the soil to determine the fate of the seeds. For 100 seeds of intermediate wheatgrass in nylon strips in June, 84 germinated, 30 plants emerged, and 12 were alive at the end of 1 year.