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eh <br />ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />• <br />13.5.4.3 Prepazatory Crops <br />Prepazatory crops can be utilized to establish a rapid growing vegetative <br />cover. They may be seeded immediately or soon after retopsoiling for temporary <br />stabilization prior to seeding perennial species at a more optimum time of geaz; in <br />order to optimize soil moisture by acting as a fallow crop; increase organic matter <br />in the soil due to large mass of shallow roots; and help reduce establishment of <br />undesirable weed species. <br />The optimum time for planting perennial species in the mine plan azea is <br />during the fall of the geaz. The use of a preparatory crop on azeas retopsoiled in the <br />spring would provide protection until the permanent seed mixture could be planted <br />• in the stubble during the fall planting period. If eazly spring planting can be <br />accomplished on newly prepazed azeas, perennial species will be planted in conjunc- <br />tion with the prepazatory crop. Ten pounds pure live seed wintergraze will be added <br />to appropriate seed mixture. <br />Quick growing annuals, such as barley, can produce a large amount of <br />second geaz volunteer growth unless mowed prior to seehead formation. To preclude <br />this second yeaz growth potential, wintergraze will be used on all areas requiring a <br />temporary or stabilizing condition. Wintergraze is a sterile hybrid resulting from a <br />cross of wheatgrass and wheat which was developed by DeKalb Ag Reseazch, Inc. <br />Use of preparatory crops with additional perennial species will be used <br />on hydrologic control structures and topsoil and subsoil stockpiles for stabilization <br />efforts. Areas seeded with wintergraze for a prepazatory crop will be seeded at 25 <br />pounds pure live seed per acre. <br /> <br />13-32 <br />