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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198200
Title: WARM-SEASON GRASSES FOR RIPARIAN ZONES

Author
item Skinner, Robert
item VAN DER GRINTEN, MARTIN - USDA-NRCS
item SKARADEK, BILL - USDA-NRCS

Submitted to: Eastern Native Grass Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2006
Publication Date: 10/13/2006
Citation: Skinner, R.H., Van Der Grinten, M., Skaradek, B. 2006. Native Warm-Season Grasses for Riparian Zones. In Sanderson, M. A., Adler, P., Goslee, S., Ritchie, J., Skinner, H., Soder, K., editors. Procedings of the Fifth Eastern Native Grass Symposium, October 10-13, 2006, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. p.273.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: In a previous pot experiment we identified several warm-season grasses with the ability to extend their roots into saturated soils, making them potential candidates for use in riparian zones. In this experiment, we verified results from the pot study by evaluating a range of cultivars under field conditions. Four field locations in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland were selected for the study. Each location was subjected to high soil water tables or periodic flooding during various times during the year. Nine warm-season grass cultivars from five species including big bluestem (BB), Andropogon gerardii, Vitman., switchgrass (SG), Panicum virgatum L., indiangrass (IG), Sorghastrum nutans L., prairie cordgrass (PC), Spartina pectinata L., and eastern gamagrass (EG), Tripsacum dactyloides L. were included in the study. Individual plants were started in the greenhouse then transplanted to the field in May 2004. Each plot consisted of three rows planted on 1.0 ft centers. There were four replications. The rows ran perpendicular to the stream bed or other water source with the two outside rows and the plant on each end of the center row serving as borders. Plants in the center row of each plot were evaluated for survival and vegetative vigor in the spring of 2005 and 2006, and for yield in the fall of 2005. Yield will also be measure in the fall of 2006. Prairie cordgrass had excellent survival and growth at all locations but produced a fairly open canopy which reduced its yield compared to other high ranking cultivars. It was also the only cultivar with rhizomatous growth and had a tendency to spread outside of its planted rows. Eastern gamagrass had excellent survival and yield at all but one site, where extreme flooding almost eliminated it from the stand. Hightide switchgrass provided the best combination of survival and yield across locations. Results from the pot study appeared most useful for eliminating poor performing cultivars but were only marginally effective at identifying the best cultivars.