Effects of soil disturbance, seed rate, nitrogen fertilizer and subsequent cutting treatment on establishment of Bromus inermis seedlings on degraded steppe grassland in China
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Published source details
Liu G.X., Mao P.S., Huang S.Q., Sun Y.C. & Han J.G. (2008) Effects of soil disturbance, seed rate, nitrogen fertilizer and subsequent cutting treatment on establishment of Bromus inermis seedlings on degraded steppe grassland in China. Grass and Forage Science, 63, 331-338.
Published source details Liu G.X., Mao P.S., Huang S.Q., Sun Y.C. & Han J.G. (2008) Effects of soil disturbance, seed rate, nitrogen fertilizer and subsequent cutting treatment on establishment of Bromus inermis seedlings on degraded steppe grassland in China. Grass and Forage Science, 63, 331-338.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Disturb soil before seeding/planting Action Link |
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Mow before or after seeding/planting Action Link |
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Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting Action Link |
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Disturb soil before seeding/planting
A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2005–2006 in a degraded steppe grassland in Hebei province, northern China (Liu et al. 2008) found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased plant emergence, survival, and seedling density compared to sowing alone. The percentage of seeds from which plants emerged was higher where soil had been disturbed prior to seeding (57%) than in areas where soil had not been disturbed before seeding (40%). After one year, a similar pattern was also seen for seedling survival (disturbed: 5.4%; undisturbed: 0.4%) and seedling density (disturbed: 14 seedlings/m2; undisturbed: 3 seedlings/m2). Before seeding, soil was disturbed in half of all 2 × 2 m plots using a rake and half of the plots remained undisturbed (replication of experiment unclear). Seeds were collected in Saibei administrative region in autumn 2004. In June 2005, seeds were sown in all plots at a density of 400–1,200 seeds/m2 and soil compressed using a roller. Plots were fenced to prevent damage from livestock and sprayed with pesticides. Seedling density and survival was monitored between June 2005 and August 2006.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
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Mow before or after seeding/planting
A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2005–2006 in a degraded steppe grassland in Hebei province, northern China (Liu et al. 2008) found that cutting grass after sowing seeds did not alter the emergence rate of plants, their survival, or seedling density compared to sowing and not cutting. The percentage of seeds from which plants emerged did not significantly differ between areas that were cut after seeding (48%) and areas that were not cut after seeding (48%). Similarly, there was no significant difference for seedling survival after one year (cut: 3.0%; uncut: 3.5%) or seedling density after one year (cut: 5.6 seedlings/m2; uncut: 11.0 seedlings/m2). Seeds were collected in Saibei administrative region in autumn 2004. In June 2005, seeds were sown in all plots at a density of 400–1200 seeds/m2 and soil compressed using a roller. In half of all plots, vegetation was cut to a height of 5 – 10 cm (replication of experiment unclear). Plots were fenced to prevent damage from livestock and sprayed with pesticides. Seedling density and survival was monitored between June 2005 and August 2006. This study was also part of an experiment testing the effects of fertilizer addition and soil disturbance on seedling performance.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
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Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting
A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2005–2006 in a degraded steppe grassland in Hebei province, northern China (Liu et al. 2008) found that adding fertilizer and sowing seeds did not increase seedling emergence, survival or density compared to seeding alone. The percentage of seeds from which plants emerged did not significantly differ between areas where fertilizer was applied alongside seeding (51%) and areas that were seeded but no fertilizer was applied (45%). Similarly, after one year, there was no significant difference in seedling survival (fertilized: 3.1%; unfertilized: 2.6%) or seedling density (fertilized: 7.2 seedlings/m2; unfertilized: 9.5 seedlings/m2). In June 2005, seeds were sown in one hundred and twenty 2 × 2 m plots at a density of 400–1,200 seeds/m2 and soil compressed using a roller. Seeds were collected locally in autumn 2004. In 80 plots, fertilizer was applied, and in 40 plots, no fertilizer was applied. Plots were fenced to prevent damage from livestock and were sprayed with pesticides. Seedling density and survival was monitored in one 50 × 50 cm quadrat in each plot between June 2005 and August 2006.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
