Laserfiche WebLink
~, - ~ • 10 • <br /> The seeded shrub species emerged in the first growing season and <br /> continued growth through the second growing season. Winterfat (Ceratoides <br /> Zapata) demonstrated the highest density (3 plants per m2), followed by <br /> rubber rabbitbrush with a density of 0.7 plants per m2. Fourwing salt- <br /> bush (Atri.plex canescens) had a density of 0.3 plants per mz. All shrub <br />'~ species showed excellent vigor following the second growing season. <br /> The principle invading species were kochia (Kochia scoparia), an <br /> annual, and yellow sweetclover (Melilotus of;icinalis), a biennial. <br />~~ Kochia appeared in all subplots, except the absolute control, but rarely <br /> exceeded 10 cm in height. Densities ranged from 10 plants per m2 in the <br />'~ control to 600 plants per m2 on the manure treatment. Yellow sweetclover <br />~ grew vigorously in Treatment 6 (120# N/a with mulch) and reached 120 cm <br />~ in height. <br />Discussion <br /> The lack of significant differences in the density measurements <br />~~ among species indicates only the number of plants present and does not <br /> infer the robustness or vigor of those plants. The height of the plants <br />~~ <br /> in Treatments 4 and 6 (60# N/a with mulch and 120# N/a with mulch, <br /> respectively) indicates that these treatments support the most vigorous <br /> plants after two growing seasons. The lack of significant density differ- <br /> ences in Treatments 4 and 6 indicates that extra nitrogen applied beyond <br />i~ 60 pounds per acre contributes little to plant success and growth. After <br /> two years of growth, this information suggests that 60# N/a should be <br /> sufficient when reclamation is pursued on a larger scale. <br /> Mulching does not increase the density of seeded species <br /> significantly. The lack of a mulch effect appears to be caused by the <br /> <br /> <br />