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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #156072
Title: EVALUATION OF A PREPLANTING SOAKING TREATMENT OF WILLOW POSTS IN A LARGE-SCALE FIELD STUDY

Author
item MARTIN, L - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
item PEZESHKI, S - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
item Shields Jr, Fletcher

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Society of Wetland Scientists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2003
Publication Date: 10/17/2003
Citation: Martin, L.T., Pezeshki, S.R., Shields Jr, F.D. 2003. Evaluation of a preplanting soaking treatment of willow posts in a large-scale field study. Proceedings of the Society of Wetland Scientists. p. 149.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Revegetation of eroded riparian streambanks using dormant black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings is a cost-efficient method for controlling erosion and re-establishing native woody vegetation. However, cutting performance may be enhanced by pre-planting treatment to enhance root and shoot initiation. A previous greenhouse experiment found increased survival and biomass production in willow posts soaked in water for 10- days compared to posts soaked for 0- and 3- days. A study was conducted at Little Topashaw Creek in northern Mississippi to verify these findings under field conditions. We hypothesized that soaked posts would have higher survival rates compared to unsoaked posts. During the first growing season, percent survival of soaked posts was significantly (p< 0.1) greater than survival of unsoaked posts six weeks after planting (p=0.06), ten weeks after planting (p=0.05) and 34 weeks after planting (p=0.07). Plots with highest survival rates (81%-94%) were characterized by moderate elevation above the stream (0.6-1.1m) and soils containing moderate amounts of sand (54%-73%). Lowest survival plots (0%-31%) were located at low elevations (<1.0 m above baseflow) with one exception (2.5 m above baseflow). Plots with at least 25% greater survival of soaked compared to unsoaked posts were characterized by bank elevations of 1.2 - 2.0 m and sandy soils (66%-92%).