Response of native species to variable nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization on mine soils
by Philip John Hertzog
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Land
Rehabilitation
Montana State University
© Copyright by Philip John Hertzog (1983)
Abstract:
Eastern Montana is a region in which coal mining in the past decade has resulted in the destruction of
soil systems and vegetation. State law requires this land be reclaimed with the establishment of
permanent, diverse, predominantly native plant communities. Fertilization is one management
technique that may help to meet this legal requirement. This study evaluated the effects of several
fertilization treatments on the establishment of vegetation on mine land.
A native species mixture was seeded on cover-soiled, regraded mine spoils in the fall of 1981 at
Colstrip, Montana. The following spring, the site was fertilized with 24 treatments of N (0, 14, 28, and
56 kg N/ha), P (0, 112, and 168 kg P/ha), and K (0 and 28 kg K/ha) in factorial combination.
Vegetational establishment was evaluated by measuring plant density, aerial biomass, canopy cover,
and frequency by plant class and species. In addition, species diversity, evenness, and richness were
calculated for each treatment.
After one growing season, P was the only fertilizer element to significantly affect vegetational
establishment. Regardless of the level of N and K, P fertilization at 112 and 168 kg P/ha decreased
density, aerial biomass, canopy cover, and frequency of warm season grasses. Legume aerial biomass
and canopy cover were reduced by fertilization at 112 kg P/ha. The reduction of these two plant classes
may be due to P fertilization increasing the competitive effect of other plant classes. Phosphorus
fertilization increased the aerial biomass and canopy cover of annual forbs and annual grasses. Species
diversity, evenness, and richness varied over the study site, but were not affected by fertilization.
It was recommended that P fertilization not be used the first growing season due to its negative effect
on warm season grass and to an extent legume establishment. Nitrogen and K fertilization were not
necessary for plant establishment under conditions of this study. RESPONSE OF NATIVE SPECIES TO VARIABLE NITROGEN,
PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASSIUM
FERTILIZATION
ON MINE SOILS
by
Philip John Hertzog
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
of
Master of Science
in
Land Rehabilitation
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bozeman, Montana
March 1983
m a in
l/b,
■
ii
APPROVAL
of a thesis submitted by
Philip John Hertzog
This thesis has been read by each member of the thesis committee
and has been found to be satisfactory regarding content, English
useage, format, citations, bibliographic style, and consistency, and
is ready for submission to the College of Graduate Studies.
_£k
Date
Chairperson,
Approved for the Major Department
^iliolS3
Date
Head, Major Department
Approved for the College of Graduate Studies
Date
Graduate Dean
ill
STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE
In prese n t i n g
this
thesis
in partial
fulfillment of the
requirements for a master’s degree at Montana State University,
I
agree that the Library shall make it available to borrowers under
rules of the Library.
Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable
without special permission,
provided that accurate acknowledgment of
source is made.
Permission for extensive quotation from or reproduction of this
thesis may be granted by my major professor, or in his absence, by the
Director of Libraries when, in the opinion of either, the proposed use
of the material is for scholarly purposes.
Any copying or use of the
material in this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed
without my written permission.
Signature,
V
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Behind all graduate students there stands a host of individuals,
whose invaluable support makes the successful completion of a research
study possible.
To name all these individuals is impossible, but
there are those who deserve recognition.
Dr. Steve Young, my graduate committee chairman, deserves special
recognition for his patience, technical advice, and encouragement.
Dr. Frank Munshower and Dr. Paul Kresge provided advice on content and
writing style.
Bob Rennick and Patrick Platenberg supplied invaluable
help in data collection,
methodology,
and plant identification.
Dennis Neuman and Chris LeVine provided assistance on soil analyses.
Ron ThorsoneS technical knowledge of computers and programming saved
innumerable hours of statistical analyses.
The typing skills of
Jeanne Blee, as well as her knowledge of word processing were greatly
appreciated.
Finally, a special thanks goes to the Western Energy
Company which provided financial support for this project.
-X
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents........ « . . . ............................
.
vi
List of Tables ............................................ .. . .viii
List of Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
............
....
Abstract.................................... ............. ..
Introduction ......................
. ..............
. . . . . .
x
xii
I
^
Zt ■=? \£> CO
Literature Review. ..............................................
Vegetational Responses to Fertilization . . . . . . ..........
Botanical Composition........ ............. ..
Cool Season Grasses.......... .. . . . ................
Warm Season Grasses. ..................................
Sedges ..........
10
Legumes. ..................
10
Forbs................
11
Shrubs and Half Shrubs ..................
11
Factors Affecting Vegetation Response to Fertilization. . . .
11
Biological . . . . .....................
12
Nutrient Interactions..............
12
Soil Properties. ......................................... 14
Management Techniques. .................. . . . . . . .
17
Nutrient Cycling in Mine Land ................................. 19
Materials and Methods.....................
Experimental Design . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . .
Vegetation Sampling . . . . . . ........
Density......................
Aerial Biomass ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canopy Cover . . . . . . . . . ........................
Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diversity. . . ........................................
Evenness . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Richness . . ................
.
Soil Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . .
Statistical Analysis. ............
Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . .
Soils............
23
23
27
27
29
29
31
31
32
32
32
34
34
36
Study Site Description ................ . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
Location. .................. . „ . ............ ........... 37
Topography. . ............................
37
Climate ..................................
. 38
Vegetation............
39
G e o l o g y .................................. . . ......... .. .
S o i l s ..................
40
40
vii
Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . .
Introduction. . . . . . ..........
Phosphorus. .......................
Cool Season Perennial Grasses.
Warm Season Grasses. . . . . .
Annual Grasses . . . . . . . .
Annual Forbs . . . . . . . . .
Biennial and Perennial Forbs .
Legumes. . . . . . . . . . . .
Shrubs . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Vegetation . ..........
Plant Community Development. .
Residual Effects ............
Nitrogen. . ............... . . . .
Potassium . . . . . . . ..........
Nutrient Interactions . . . . . . .
Adequacy of Regression Models . . .
45
45
46
47
48
55
58
61
62
68
69
70
76
78
86
87
88
Recommendations
90
S u m m a r y ..........................................
94
Appendices . . .
Appendix A:
Appendix B:
Appendix C:
. . . . . .......................... . . . . . .
97
Soil Profile Description................ .
98
Analysis of Variance Tables ..............
100
Vegetational Data by Plant Species.......... . . 106
Literature Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
....................
111
viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table
I. Seeding mixture and rates used on fertilization study? . 24
Table
2. Fertilizer treatment combinations.................
. . 26
Table
3. Cover classes used for canopy cover sampling ..........
Table
4. Mean monthly temperature, precipitation, and deviations
from the long term norm, Colstrip, Montana, 1981-82. . . 39
Table
5. Baseline soil data of the study site, October, 1981. . . 42
Table
Table
Table
6 . Vegetational statistics of cool season perennial
grasses by fertilization treatment, 1982 ............
.
31
48
7. Vegetational statistics of warm season grasses by
fertilization treatment, 1982. . ............ ........
49
8 . Mean percent frequency of plant species by P
fertilization.rate, July, 1982 ......................
54
.
9 . Vegetational statistics of annual grasses by
fertilization treatment, 1982. . . . ..................
58
Table 10. Vegetational statistics of annual forbs by
fertilization treatment, 1982.........................
59
Table IT. Vegetational statistics of biennial forbs by
fertilization treatment, 1982. . ......................
62
Table 12. Vegetational statistics of perennial forbs by
fertilization treatment, 1982.............
63
Table 13. Vegetational statistics of legumes by fertilization
treatment, 1982. . . . . . . . . . . . ................
64
Table 14. Vegetational statistics of shrubs by fertilization
treatment, 1982. ..............
69
Table 15. Vegetational statistics of total vegetation by
fertilization treatment, 1982. ............ . . . . . .
70
Table 16. Mean diversity, evenness, and richness indices by
. fertilization treatment, 1982.........
73
Table 17. Mean soil extractable P content by P fertilizer rate
(ppm), October, 1982 ..............................
76
Table
ix
Table 18, Mean soil NOg-M content by N fertilizer rate (ppm),
October, 1982..........
82
Table 19. Mean percent soil organic matter content by N fertilizer
rate, October, 1982. . . . . . . ................ . . .
84
Table 20. Mean soil total N content by N fertilization rate,
October, 1982. . ......................... ............
86
Table 21. Mean soil C/N ratios by N fertilization rate,
October, 1982. . . . . . ............................
.
Table 22. Soil profile description of the study site . . . . . . .
86
99
Table 23. Analysis of variance for density by plant class, May
and July, 1982 ...........................
101
Table 24. Analysis of variance for aerial biomass by plant
class, July, 1982..............................
102
Table 25. Analysis of variance for canopy cover by plant class,
July, 1982 . ....................................
103
Table 26. Analysis of.variance for extractable P content of
soils, October, 1982 ........................ . . . . .
104
Table 27. Analysis of variance for NOg-N content of soils,
October, 1982. . . . ...............
104
Table 28. Analysis of variance for organic matter content of
soils, October, 1982 . . . . . ......................
. 104
Table 29. Analysis of variance for total N content of soils,
October, 1982..........................................
105
Table 30. Mean plant species density by fertilization
treatment, May, 1982. ................................. 107
Table 31. Mean plant species density by fertilization
treatment, July, 1982. . . . . . . . ..................
108
Table 32. Mean percent canopy cover of plant species by
. fertilization treatment, July, 1982. . . . . . . . . . .
109
Table 3 3 . Percent frequency of plant species by fertilization
treatment, October, 1982 .......... . . . . . . . . . .
110
X
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
I.Field design. .... ......................................25
Figure
2. Vegetation sampling design for each
experimental p l o t ...................................... 28
Figure
3. Preliminary sampling to estimate number of
frames n e e d e d ..................
30
4. Study site location ................................ .
37
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
5. Volumetric soil water content . . .
...................
43
6 . Mean density of warm season grasses in
response to P fertilization .................... ..
50
7. Mean aerial biomass of warm season grasses in
response to P fertilization . . . . . ................
52
8 . Mean canopy cover of warm season grasses in
response to P fertilization ....................
53
9« Mean aerial biomass of annual grasses in
response to P fertilization...............
56
Figure 10. Mean canopy cover of annual grasses in
response to P fertilization . ; .'. ........ ..
57
Figure 11. Mean canopy cover of annual forbs in
response to P fertilization ...................... . .
60
Figure 12. Mean aerial biomass of legumes in response
to P ferti l i z a t i o n .......... ................... .. .
65
Figure 13. Mean canopy cover of legumes in response to
P fertilization ......................................
66
Figure 14. Mean aerial biomass of total vegetation in
response to P fertilization ............................. 71
Figure 15. Mean canopy cover of total vegetation in
response to P fertilization . . . . . ................
72
Figure 16. Composition of plant community as affected by
P fertilization in terms of aerial biomass. . . . . . .
74
Figure 17. Composition of plant community, as affected by
P fertilization in terms of canopy cover............ ■.
75
xi
Figure 18. Mean soil extractable P content response to P
fertilization . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . .
•
77
Figure 19. Mean soil NOg-N content response to N
fertilization . . . . . . ................
.
81
.
83
....
Figure 20. Mean soil NOg-N content response to N fertilization
for block I and 2 data........ ............ .. . . .
xii
ABSTRACT
Eastern Montana is a region in which coal mining in the past
decade has resulted in the destruction of soil systems and vegetation.
State law requires this land be reclaimed with the establishment of
permanent, diverse, p r e d o m i n a n t l y native plant communities.
Fertilization is one management technique that may help to meet this
legal requirement.
This study evaluated the effects of several
fertilization treatments on the establishment of vegetation on mine
land.
A native species mixture was seeded on cover-soiled, regraded
mine spoils in the fall of 1981 at Colstrip, Montana.
The following
spring, the site was fertilized with 24 treatments of N (0, 14, 28,
and 56 kg N/ha), P (0, 112, and 168 kg P/ha), and K (0 and 28 kg K/ha)
in factorial combination. Vegetational establishment was evaluated by
measuring plant density, aerial biomass, canopy cover, and frequency
by plant class and species. In addition, species diversity, evenness,
and richness were calculated for each treatment.
After one growing season, P was the only fertilizer element to
significantly affect vegetational establishment.
Regardless of the
level of N and K, P fertilization at 112 and 168 kg P/ha decreased
density, aerial biomass, canopy cover, and frequency of warm season
grasses.
Legume aerial biomass and canopy cover were reduced by
fertilization at 112 kg P/ha.
The reduction of these two plant
classes may be due to P fertilization increasing the competitive
effect of other plant classes. Phosphorus fertilization increased the
aerial biomass and canopy cover of annual forbs and annual grasses.
Species diversity, evenness, and richness varied over the study site,
but were not affected by fertilization.
It was recommended that P fertilization not be used the first
growing season due to its negative effect on warm season grass and to
an extent legume establishment. Nitrogen and K fertilization were not
necessary for plant establishment under conditions of this study.
I
INTRODUCTION
Since the late 1960'S and early 1970'a, America's need for energy
has increased,
decreased.
while reliability of foreign sources of energy has
Shortages of oil and gas during the 1970's resulted in
long lines at gas stations and higher prices for all petroleum
products.
The Arab oil embargo during the early 1970's demonstrated
the vulnerability of the United States to political blackmail.
In
order to prevent the United States from falling victim to the demands
of oil and gas exporting countries, the Nixon administration initiated
policies to achieve energy independence.
Succeeding administrations
adopted this goal of achieving energy independence for the United
States.
An integral part of the government's policy for achieving energy
independence was the encouragement of the development of western coal
fields.
Eastern Montana is one western.region where coal development
has expanded
in the
past
decade.
The Fort Union formation,
a
geological unit that encompasses much of eastern Montana, contains
vast deposits of coal.
Furthermore,
the Powder River Region,
southern extension of the Fort Union Formation,
contain 240
billion tons
of sub-bituminous
coal
a
is estimated to
(Packer
1974).
Several strip mining operations have opened or expanded in eastern
Montana during the past decade in response to the energy needs of the
country.
One such operation is Western Energy Company's Rosebud Mine
located at Colstrip, Montana.
Coal mining has taken place in the
Colstrip area over the past fifty years, but in the last 10.years the
2
operation has
expanded
considerably.
Large
area
strip
mining
operations are expected to continue at Colstrip for the next several
decades.
Strip mining of coal has resulted in the destruction of plant
communities and disruption of soils.
The Federal Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 required this land be reclaimed to
a use equal to, or higher than, the use prior to mining. ^At Colstrip
much of the mine land was formerly rangeland.
The Montana Strip and
Underground Mining Act of 1979 required the establishment On mine land
of a suitable, permanent, diverse, vegetational cover consisting
primarily.of native species capable of feeding livestock and wildlife,
withstanding grazing pressure,
regenerating under natural.conditions
prevailing at the site, and preventing soil erosion to the extent
achieved prior to mining.
Establishment of diverse, predominantly native plant communities
is the goal of revegetation efforts at Colstrip (Coenenberg 1982).
In
order to achieve this goal, mine spoils are graded to approximate
original contour and covered with material suitable for plant growth
usually consisting of pre-mine topsoil and subsoil.
Establishment of diverse, native plant communities on mine soils
may be affected by several factors.
of the plant growth medium.
One factor is the nutrient status
Hodder et al. (1971) noted nutrient
deficiencies on. mine spoils at Colstrip could be corrected using
fertilization. : By limiting nutrient deficiencies,
vegetational.
productivity of mine land can be increased to its maximum potential.
Little information is available in the literature concerning the
3
effects of fertilization of mine soils on the establishment of native
plant
species.
In
particular,
information
is
lacking on
how
fertilization affects the various components of newly established
plant communities such as warm season grasses, or biennial forbs.
understanding
of
how
fertilization
establishment is important.
affects
initial
An
vegetation
The initial composition of the plant
community may determine the successional direction the community will
take.
It is important to choose the fertilization regime that
achieves the desired revegetation goals.
The objective of this study was to determine the first year
response of a native species mixture to twenty-four fertilization
treatments of nitrogen,
phosphorus,
and potassium in factorial
combination on cover-soiled, regraded mine spoils at Colstrip.
The objective of this study was met by evaluating the various
plant classes that comprised the newly established plant community.
A
fertilization treatment that improves establishment of the various
plant components,
provides high diversity for the overall plant
community, and increases plant productivity to levels that meet post
mine land uses;
should be deemed an acceptable management practice.
Management practices that adversely affect the establishment of one or
more of these components could lower diversity of the total community
to unacceptable levels.
In addition, a management practice that
increases the dominance of one species over others, could decrease
plant community diversity.
4
LITERATURE REVIEW
Plants need at least 16 elements in order to maintain vigorous
growth and remain healthy.
These elements are
carbon (C), hydrogen
(H), oxygen (0), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium
(Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese
(Mn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), and chlorine (Cl).
Often one or more of these essential nutrients is lacking in a
soil in amounts necessary for adequate plant growth.. Fertilization is
used to correct
nutrient deficiencies.
In order to develop ah,
effective fertilization program on mine land, one must understand how
vegetation responds to fertilization, factors that influence plant
response to fertilization, and elements of nutrient cycling.
Vegetational Response to Fertilization
Botanical Composition
Several
studies on both rangeland and mine land noted that
.fertilization can change botanical composition of plant communities.
Fertilization of rangelands with N increased yield and/or cover
for Agroovron smith!! with corresponding decreases for Bouteloua
gracilis
(Goetz
1969,
Power
1979,
Rauzi
1978).
These
studies
attributed the decreases in B. gracilis to competitive and shading
effects of JL smith!!.
Rogler and Lorenz (1957) noted the grazing of
study plots may eliminate these competitive effects.
a southeastern Alberta grassland
with
Fertilization of
N or N plus P generally
increased basal area of cool season perennial grasses and weeds, while
decreasing warm season grasses and sedges (Johnson et al. 1967)»
In
5
eastern Montana, a ten year study showed species composition varied as
much among years as among fertilizer treatments (Wight and Black
1979).
Generally,
M f e r t i l i z a tion increased plant community
composition of cool season grasses, reduced sedges, and
above 33 kg N/ha reduced Bouteloua gracilis.
at rates
A study near Havre,
Montana found annual fall application of N for 3 years increased
production of total grass, Stina comata, and Asronvron Smithiif but
decreased other grasses,
rates above 336 kg
N plus
forbs,
and Artemisia friaida at cumulative
N/ha (Houlton 1975).
Meyn et al. (1976) reported
P fertilization of native range
near
Colstrip,
Montana
increased cover of annual grasses, forbs, and Gutierrezia sarothrae
without affecting perennial grass production.
In another study,
Asroovron smithii and Stina viridula production were not affected by
fertilization with rates of O to 640 kg N/ha, however the highest rate
increased production of Bromus tectorum and Bromus ianonicus (White
and Halvorson 1980).
In Sidney, Montana no changes in plant community
composition were found four years after a single application of N plus
P in which the highest rates were 672 kg N/ha and 224 kg P/ha (Wight
and Black 1978).
The effects of fertilization on the botanical composition of
newly established vegetation on mine land have also been studied.. A
study at Decker, Montana compared seed mixtures consisting of all
native species, all introduced species, and a combination of both
species (Farmer et aj., 1974).
Fertilization increased the grass
production of all the mixtures on topdressed and irrigated plots,
however, introduced species significantly outproduced the natives.
6
DePuit et al. (1978) reported on the fertilization of several seed
mixtures that included native and introduced species seeded separately
and in combination.
Native species did best at the zero or lowest
fertilization rates, but were outproduced by introduced species at
higher rates.
Coenenberg
In another study at Colstrip, Montana, DePuit and
(1979) found N plus
P fertilization increased stand
composition of Agropvron cristatum and Bromus inermis while decreasing
legumes.
Cool Season Grasses
Fertilization
with
N
or
N plus
P increased
the response,
establishment, yield, or density of several wheatgrasses (Agroovron
spp.) on mine land and rangeland (Danielson et al. 1979, DePuit et al.
1978, Hodder et al. 1971, McGinnies and Nicholas T98O).
Physiological
changes in wheatgrasses due to fertilization have also been noted.
Samuel et al. (1980) found N fertilization increased crude protein
content of A. smith!!.
Goetz (1975) found the same trends for A.
smithil. and reported that addition of P with N fertilization slightly
increased crude protein content.
protein values, were much lower.
increased
average
VJith only P application, crude
Black (1968) reported fertilization
crude protein prod u c t i o n of veget a t i o n in
northeastern Montana on an JL cristatum site and a native range site
composed of 55 percent A 8. smithii.
Phosphorus fertilization also
increased P content of plants regardless
of N fertilizer rate.
Nitrogen fertilization increased water use efficiency of these two
sites 1.5 to 2.0 times,
regardless of P rate.
Fertilization affected
7
mycorrhizal development In A. trachveaulum (Danielson et al. 1979).
Nitrogen plus P fertilizer increased the rate of endomycorrhizae
development and the presence of vesicles within roots.
Several studies examined the effects of fertilization on other
cool season range grasses.
Goetz (1969) found in southwestern North
Dakota that N fertilization increased basal cover of Calamovilfa
loncifolia. while cover of Stioa comata decreased.
Fertilization
decreased percent composition of Sa. comata in western Montana (Klages
and Ryerson 1965)» and reduced its frequency in Colorado (Houston and
Hyder 1975).
In contrast, Sa. comata reached maximum yields at 336 kg
N/ha (Wight and Black 1972), and reached maximum leaf lengths at 75 kg
N/A in the Northern Great Plains (Goetz 1970).
Stioa comata also
increased in protein content with N fertilization (Goetz 1975).
Black
and Reitz (1969) found N plus P fertilization increased the seed yield
and water use efficiency of Sjl viridula on a study conducted at
Sidney, Montana.
In contrast, Power (1979) found no effects on S.
viridula due to fertilization,
content increased.
while Goetz (1975) found protein
Wight and Black (1972) found Koeleria cristata
yield unaffected by N and/or P fertilization, but other studies found
it significantly reduced or eliminated (Houston and Hyder 1975, Power
and Alessi 1971).
Poa secunda generally responded to fertilization
with increased yields (Baldwin et al. 1974), increased protein content
(Goetz 1975), and increased leaf length (Goetz 1970).
Houston and
Hyder (1975) found heavy applications of N decreased yields of P.
secunda about 88 percent.
yields
of
Festuca
Nitrogen plus P fertilization increased
idahoensis
in
Oregon
(Baldwin et
al.
1974)
8
Nitrogen and N plus P fertilization increased yields of Festuca
scabrella when applied at rates up to 1015 kg N/ha and 860 kg P/ha,
while fertilization at levels of 350 kg N/ha alone or with 290 kg P/ha
killed Es. rubra (Johnston et al. 1968).
Fertilization also increased
yields of Bromus inermis in this Canadian study.
Warm Season Grasses
Few studies have documented the response to fertilization of seed
mixtures or plant communities consisting almost entirely of warm
season grasses.
Warnes and Newell (1969) concluded that fertilization
during the first growing season had no benefit on establishment of
Panicum
virgatum.
Sorghastrum
Andropogon g e r a r d i i . and
nutans,
Schizachvrium
Bouteloua
ourtioendula.
s c o p a r i u m.
Nitrogen
fertilization tended to increase biomass production of weeds,
decreasing warm season grasses.
while
Fertilizer applied after the first
forage yield from
10 to 243 percent
depending on number of years after establishment,
soil fertility, and
growing
season,
moisture
increased
conditions during year of harvest.
In another study,
Andropogon gerardii. Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans, and
Bouteloua ourtioendula were seeded and then fertilized two years after
establishment with annual applications of N and alternate years with P
(Rehm et al. 1972).
Fertilization increased forage yields of all
species in three out of four years, and at the end of four years A.
gerardii and
ourtioendula were the dominant species on all plots.
Fertilization increased forage production and protein content of
leaves
on
a
sandy
range
site
in
Texas
for
Andropogon
hallii.
9
SchizachvrAum acoparium. Aristida purpurea. Boufceloua Curfcipendulaf
Sporobolus crvofcandruSf and other species (Pettit and Deering 1974).
Bryan and McMurphy (1968) seeded several warm season species and then
fertilized with N and P.
Fertilization reduced density of Panicum
vireatum due to competition from weeds.
With weed control
production increased on fertilized plots.
E a.
virgatum
Andronogon gerardii.
Eragrostis curvula. and Bothriochloa ischaemum var. ischaemum were not
significantly
affected
by
fertilization on
the
basis
of stand
establishment.
Some studies have reported the effects of range fertilization on
warm season grasses.
Rauzi et al. (1968) found fertilization of
native rangeland in Wyoming did not affect warm season grasses,
and
variation in yield was a function of time instead of treatment.
In
another Wyoming study,
high levels of K fertilization decreased
Buchloe dactvloides yields from 9 percent to a trace over a five year
period (Rauzi 1978).
Fertilization of true prairie near Manhattan,
Kansas decreased W free extract and increased crude fiber, lignin, and
ash of Androoogon gerardi and Schizachvrium scooarium (Allen et al.
1976).
Bouteloua
fertilization,
gracilis
generally
but e x ceptions
fertilization increased leaf length,
responds
exists.
Goetz
negatively
(1970) found N
but Wight and Black (1972) found
no effects on B. gracilis from N plus P fertilization.
North Dakota study,
to
In a western
N plus P fertilization increased protein content
of this plant (Goetz 1975). ■ Without N fertilization,
applications of
P decreased protein content below levels of unfertilized plants.
This
10
occurred in the early part of the growing season, but later in the
season protein contents were higher in the fertilized plants.
Sedges
Limited data existed for response of sedges (Carex spp.) to
fertilization.
Carex filifolia increased in basal cover with K
fertilization at rates between 33 and 100 kg N/ha (Goetz 1969).
Nitrogen fertilization also increased leaf length (Goetz 1970) and
protein content (Goetz 1975).
Legumes
Several
fertilization.
studies
found
legumes
n e gatively
affected
by
Nitrogen fertilization reduced legume cover (DePuit et
al. 1978), growth (Blaser and Brady 1950), and yield (Cooper 1975).
Cooper (1969) stated that N fertilization decreased
increasing the competitive ability of grasses.
legumes
by
Epstein (1972) noted
decreased nodule formation on legume roots under high levels of soil
N.
Blaser and Brady (1950) demonstrated that the addition of K to N
fertilizer increased productivity
of legumes.
Addit i o n of
P
fertilizer is well known for its generally positive effects on legumes
(Cooper 1969).
Howard et al. (1977) found N plus P fertilization
generally favored improved growth of alfalfa.
Nitrogen fertilization
reduced frequency of Astragalus shortianus and eliminated Lathvrus
polymorphus (Houston and Hyder 1975).
Fertilization with N and P
reduced infection rate of mycorrhizae in Trifolium hvbridum though
total infected root length remained unchanged (Danielson et al. 1979).
11
Forbs
Kilcher et al.
(1965) found for the first two years after a
single application of W and/or P fertilizer, weed yields increased.
In North Dakota, N fertilization increased basal cover of forb species
(Goetz 1969).
In Colstrip N, P, and K fertilization of seeded mine
lands significantly increased forb production, with Salsola kali as
the dominant species (Holechek 1976).
Nitrogen and P fertilization
reduced basal cover of Selaginella Oiensaf an undesireable species
(Smoliak 1965).
Fertilization of mixed grass plains with nitrogen
increased frequency of Leoidium densiflorum. Chenooodium leotoohvllum.
but decreased Phlox hoodii (Houston and Hyder 1975).
Shrubs and Half Shrubs
Nitrogen and N plus P fertilization increased yield of Atriolax
canescens (Aldon et al. 1976, Aldon 1978, Howard et al. 1977)» but
emergence
and
initial
growth
remained
Springfield 1973, Aldon et al. 1975).
unaffected (Aldon and
Fertilization with N and/or P
increased height and yield of Artemisia frigida (Goetz 1970, Wight and
Black 1972), but all rates of N in another study reduced its frequency
(Houston and Hyder 1975).
Factors Affecting Vegetational Response to Fertilization
Several studies identified factors that affect plant response to
fertilization on both range and mine land.
Goetz (1970) found that
the vegetational response to fertilization varied by range site,
season,
plant species,
and amount of fertilizer applied.
factors
that
plant response
affected
included
soil
type,
Other
soil
12
fertility level, soil and air temperature, and amount and distribution
of precipitation during the growing season (Rauzl et al. 1968).
the purpose of this review,
For
factors that affect the response of
vegetation to fertilization are broken into biological,
nutrient
interactions, soil properties, and management techniques.
Biological
The presence or absence of microorganisms can have an effect on
vegetational response to fertilization.
Microorganisms caused a
number of physio-chemical changes on mine spoils including increasing
the amount of available nutrients (Cundell 1977).
true for N and P.
This was especially
Cundell (1977) and Mosse (1973) stated that
vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae may be important in P deficient soils
by increasing the phosphate absorbing surface on roots of grasses and
other perennials.
Cundell (1977) also suggested azotobacteria may be
important in the rhizosphere of plants growing on spoils low in
nutrients.
Nutrient Interactions
Several studies have shown that an excess or deficiency of one
nutrient in a soil system can change the response of vegetation to
fertilization with other nutrients.
The influence of N fertilization on increasing the P uptake by
plants is well established (Riley and Barber 1971).
Olson and Dreier
(1956) found that N fertilization stimulated wheat and oat uptake of.P
fertilizer over a wide range of soil conditions.
Two studies on mixed
grass prairie in North Dakota demonstrated
that greater yields
13
occurred when both W and P were applied together,
than when each
applied as separate treatments (Lorenz and Rogler I972, I973).
In a
study evaluating response of vegetation to fertilization on selected
native grassland sites in western Canada, combinations of N and P
fertilizer produced greater biomass yields on all but two sites, when
compared
to N and P applied
separately
(Kilcher
et
al.
1965).
Johnston et al. (1968) also found for both a seeded and native range
site in western Canada, that N and P applied together produced greater
total vegetation yields than when each was applied separately.
Black
and Wight (1972) found that though P fertilization by itself did not
increase
total
protein
content
of
the forage,
when applied
in
combination with N it increased protein content approximately 30
percent. Nitrogen and P applied in combination also increased percent
plant P content and recovery of N in total forage.
In contrast, Goetz
(1975) found P applied with N did not increase protein content of
total vegetation, when compared to N fertilized separately.
Riley and
Barber (1971) stated that NHiJ-N was superior to NOg-N in stimulating P
uptake by soybeans.
Another study on cereal grain plants found NHiJ-N
increased P uptake by the plants, but NOg-N had little effect (Rennie
and Soper 1958).
Interactions between nutrients other than those between N and P
can affect vegetational response to fertilization.
In corn, uptake of
Zn appeared to be inhibited by applied P to the extent where levels of
Zn critical for growth were reached (Langin 1962).
Bains and Fireman
(1964) found for five different species of crop plants,
that an
increase in exchangeable sodium (Na) in the soil generally increased
uptake of Na, N, and Mo, and decreased uptake of Ca, K, S, Mg, Cu, Zn,
B, and Cl.
Soil Properties
Several
p r operties
fertilization.
of
soils
influence
plant response to
Some of these properties include soil moisture,
soil
temperature, topsoil depth, and soil pH.
Bauer et al. (1978a) stated that moisture has an overriding
effect on plant growth and yield, and on the amount of nutrient needed
to correct a deficiency.
In contrast,
Klages and Ryerson (1965)
hypothesized that soil fertility may be a greater limiting factor than
moisture on total range production, even in coarse-textured, droughty
soils.
Greater soil moisture content increased plant response to N
and/or P fertilization by increasing plant N uptake (Power 1967) and
yields (Bauer et al. 1967, Smika et al. 1965, Wight and Black 1979).
Nitrogen fertilization did not affect botanical composition of a
rangeland site in.Montana during the years of adequate precipitation,
however growth of weedy species was stimulated during years of low
precipitation (Klages and Ryerson 1965).
In a rangeland study,
fall
soil moisture had. the greatest influence on the vegetation yield of
unfertilized
and
P fertilized
plots,
while June
precipitation
influenced the N and N plus P fertilized plots (Johnston et al. 1969).
Lauenroth and Dodd (1979) found N fertilization and irrigation favored
native legumes growing in the shortgrass prairie of northeastern
Colorado,
decreased.
but
in following
growing
seasons density
On plots receiving only irrigation,
of legumes
legume
density
15
remained high.
Soil moisture content may affect vegetational response to W
fertilization
by
a f fecting
the
process
of
nitrification.
Nitrification involves the oxidation of NH14-N to NOg-N.
Many forms of.
N fertilizers contain NH14-N, and in order for N to become available to
the plants, nitrification must take place.
Any factor such as soil
moisture content that influences nitrification, will affect the amount
of N available to plants from ammonical fertilizers.
Several studies found nitrification affected by the soil moisture
content.
Incubation studies by Parker and Larson (1962) revealed that
greatest nitrification occurred at soil moisture tensions of 0.7 bars.
As soil moisture tension decreased from 0.7 bars,
decreased.
For tensions above 0.7 bars,
increased.
Stanford
and
Epst e i n
nitrification
nitrification was
(1974)
discovered
not
highest
nitrification rates occurred at moisture tensions between 0.3 to 0.1
bar in a study that investigated nine different soils of varying
texture.
In another study, maximum nitrification took place at soil
moisture tensions between 0.5 and 0.15 bars (Miller and Johnston
1964).
These authors concluded that deficient moisture at higher
tensions,
and poor aeration at lower tensions limited nitrification.
In North Dakota soils under incubation, nitrification rates decreased
as soil water contents decreased between 0.2 and 15 bars (Reichman et
al. 1966).
Soil moisture content may also have an effect on plant response
to P fertilization.
Beaton and Read (1963). reported that 2.0 bars of
moisture tension favored uptake of P in oats, while lowest uptake
16
occurred at 0.4 bars.
They also noted water soluble sources of P
fertilizer were most sensitive in affecting uptake of P in plants when
soil moisture content changed.
Several
response
studies
of
indicated
vegetation
to
soil
N
temperature
fertilization
can affect
by
the
influencing
In aerated soils, most nitrification occurs between 0°
nitrification.
and 35° C (Stanford et al. 1973).
45° C and O0 C.
Nitrification ceases completely at
In laboratory studies, Parker and Larson (1962) found
that a 2° C increase in temperature caused an increase in the rate of
nitrification in the 16-20° C range.
Between 25° C and 30° C, changes
in rate of nitrification were not as evident with small changes in
temperature.
Stanford et al. (1973) found nitrification increased two
fold for each 10° C increase in temperature.
Influences of soil
temperature on vegetational response to
fertilization have been observed.
In wheat and barley, temperature
was negatively correlated with yield responses from N fertilization
(Bauer et al. 1967).
In oats greatest uptake of fertilizer P in the
mono and diammonium phosphate form occurred at 5° C, when compared to
uptake at
16° or 27° C (Beaton and Read
1963).
No significant
differences in P uptake were noticed between the 16° or 27° C levels.
Studies
have
nitrification.
shown
Generally,
Og
content
of
the
soil
can
affect
as O2 content increased from 0 to 20
percent, nitrification increased in curvilinear fashion (Amer and
Bartholomew
1951).
At least 0.2 to 0.4 percent O2 was needed for
nitrification to occur in a soil.
Depth of topsoil placement on coal mine spoils has been shown to
17
affect plant response to fertilization.
When topsoil was placed at
thicknesses of 0 , 2 , 6 and 12 inches on spoil material, fertilization
increased the response of vegetation over controls, but the magnitude
of increase varied with depth (ARS and NDAES 1977).
experiments,
total herbage,
In greenhouse
total root production, and total biomass
of Agroovron intermedium increased as topsoil thickness above spoil
material increased from 0 to 30 cm (McGinnies and Nicholas 1980).
Fertilization increased total production an average of 89 percent over
the non-fertilized treatments.
Nitrogen fertilization also increased
root mass an average of 46 percent in the topsoil and 87 percent in
the spoil material.
Soil pH has been found to affect the amount of soluble P in
soils.
Acid soils tended to increase the amount of HgPO^" in the
soil, while soils of pH 7.0 and above had greater amounts of HPOjt- 2
(Tisdale and Nelson 1975).
Phosphorus was generally most available to
plants between pH’s of 5.5 and 7.0.
.Management Techniques
Timing of fertilization can affect vegetational response.
Arizona,
In
desert grassland plots fertilized during the latter part of
the rainy season increased grass production when compared to plots
fertilized earlier in the season (Stroehlein et al. 1968).
Latter
fertilization also increased protein content of plants on two of the
sites.
Samuel et al. (1980) working in Wyoming found yield and
protein content of plants increased linearly with fall applied N, .but
increased non-linearIy with spring applications of N at the same
18
rates.
Spring applied N also produced higher yields, crude protein
contents, and frequency of grazing by cattle, than fall fertilization
at 22 kg N/ha.
No differences were found between the fall and spring
applications at 34 kg N/ha.
Source of fertilizer material may also affect the manner in which
vegetation responds to fertilization.
Beaton and Head (1963) measured
short term P uptake by oats from several fertilizer sources.
They
found mono-ammonium phosphate produced the greatest P uptake and
anhydrous dicalcium phosphate the least.
In one long term experiment
in which several sources of P fertilizer were used, the source causing
the greatest uptake of P in plants varied with soil type and plant
species (Ensminger and Pearson 1957).
Power et al. (1973) reported
greatest recovery of fertilizer N from corn tops occurred with NH^NOg
when compared to other materials including calcium nitrate and urea.
Power (1979) tested NH^NOg, urea formaldehyde, and three different,
sulfur coated ureas, and found responses by vegetation varied with the
fertilizer material used.
In southeastern Montana,
mulching had an affect on vegetational
response to fertilization (Farmer et al. 1974).
On spoils, fertilized
mulch plots had greater grass yields than unmulched plots with the
same fertilizer rates.
On spoils covered with 8 inches of cover-soil,
fertilization had no effect on seedling emergence of unmulched plots,
while seedling density decreased on mulched plots.
Method of placement of fertilizer in a soil system has an affect
on how plants will respond to treatment.
Injury to germinating seeds
can be caused by placement of N and K fertilizer directly with the
19
seed (Tisdale and Nelson 1975)*
This injury was due to restriction of
available moisture or toxicity caused by an increase in concentration
of soluble salts by the fertilizer.
eliminated
by other
methods
Injuries can be lessened or
of fertilizer application
such
broadcasting or selection of non-ammonical fertilizer sources.
et al. (1968) c o m p a r e d drill p l a c e m e n t of f e rtilizer
broadcasting on sub-irrigated meadows in Nebraska.
as
Moore
P w ith
They found drill
placement of fertilizer reduced plant density and yield when compared
to the broadcast method.
The decreases were attributed to the drying
out of sod near the drill rows.
Percent P in forage, root activity of
legumes, and utilization of fertilizer P by plants was lower under
drill treated sites.
Incorporation of fertilizer P into the soil
increased vegetation response when compared to P applied on the
surface
(Tisdale and Nelson
1975).
immobile compared to other nutrients,
Fertilizer
P is relatively
and incorporation allows plant
roots to come into direct contact with fertilizer P.
Nutrient Cycling in Mine Land
The literature on nitrogen cycling in range and mine land is more
extensive than that for P and K cycling.
primarily on N cycling.
This section focuses
It is not intended to be a complete summary
on nitrogen cycling, but the important aspects are covered.
Addition of fertilizer N has been
a v a i l a b l e N in soils
shown to increase
(Houston and Hyder 1975,
Power
plant
1972b).
Fertilizer N enters and functions in the nitrogen cycle through
various processes such as nitrification, plant uptake, and loss.
20
Soil organic matter is important in supplying plant available
nitrogen through mineralization (Tisdale and Nelson 1975).
On mine
land, adequate amounts of organic matter are often lacking to provide
sufficient nutrients for vegetational growth.
Bauer et al. (1978b)
noted that a characteristic common to all spoil material was the lack
of organic matter.
»
In cases in which topsoiling practices were used,
the occurrence of nutrient deficiencies may vary depending on the
suitability and thickness of the applied cover-soil.
The organic
matter content of stockpiled topsoil may decrease with length of
storage (Argonne National L a b o r a t o r y
1979).
Parkinson
(1979)
suggested that addition of waste materials rich in cellulose, lignin,
chitin, etc. could be a means of increasing organic matter content of
spoil
material,
introduced.
provided
decomposing microorganisms
were also
Omodt et al. (1975) estimated it would take at least 350
years for organic matter on mine land spoils to naturally accumulate
to levels found in undisturbed soils of western North Dakota.
raise organic matter levels to I percent in mine spoils,
To
it was
calculated 291 metric tons of manure/ha applied annually for a forty
year period would be needed.
Due to the impracticality of applying
this much manure, it was concluded the salvaging and redistribution of
topsoil on spoils would be more practical for maintaining organic
matter levels of mine soils.
Losses of N from the nitrogen cycle in mine land are divided into
leaching* biological, gaseous, and geological.
In Great Britian,
nitrogen was the main nutrient lost by leaching on mine land (Marrs
and Bradshaw 1980).
Losses of N, P, Ca, and Mg were greater than
21
imputs from natural sources.
of
In the Northern Great Plains,
leaching
NOg-N was of little concern because of insufficient precipitation
(Power 1972a).
Power and Alessi (1971) found no accumulation of
from leaching below 90 cm in a grassland system.
NOg-N
Young and Rennick
(1982) noted supplemental irrigation on mine land at Colstrip caused
leaching of
NOg-N to occur. . The influence of irrigation on increasing
NOg-N loss from mine land should not be ignored.
Biological losses of plant available
under certain circumstances.
N can occur in mine land
Berg (1980) noted addition of organic
matter such as straw mulch could decrease plant available soil
NOg-N.
Reuszer (1957) stated that N was needed by microorganisms for the
decomposition of added organic material.
material
contains
If the added organic
insu f f i c i e n t q u a n t i t i e s of N for its o w n
decomposition, microorganisms will utilize indigenous or fertilizer N
in the soil (Tisdale and Nelson 1975).
An indication of whether or
not organic matter contains sufficient quantities of N for its own
decomposition is its carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N).
As a generalization
microorganisms will utilize N from the soil to decompose organic
matter with C/N ratios above 30.
Organic matter with C/N ratios below
30, have sufficient N to meet the needs of microbial decomposers,
while material with C/N ratios below 20 have excessive amounts of N
that can be released
into
the
soil
system
through
m i crobial
decomposition.
Gaseous
losses
denitrification,
of
N can occur
through three mechanisms:
chemical reactions involving nitrites,
losses of ammonia gas (Tisdale and Nelson 1975).
and volatile
Conversion of NHjj-N
22
to NOg-N occurred in exposed Palocene shales on mine lands,and the
NOg-N subsequently lost possibly due to denitrification (ARS and NDAES
1 9 7 5 ).
Urea applied via broadcast methods on Bromus inermis was
suspected of being lost to the atmosphere, since only 4? percent of
the applied N was accounted for in the soil and plants (Power et al.
19 7 3 ).
Volatilization of NHjt-N placed on the surface of alkaline
soils may also take place (Tisdale and Nelson 1975).
Geological losses of fertilizer material may also occur in mine
land.
Ammonium added as fertilizer to spoil material in east central
Texas was converted to non-exchangeable NHj1-N (Hons and Hossner 1979).
The mine soil had a non exchangeable NH11-N retention capacity that
ranged from 4.1 to 7.8 meq NHj1+ / 10O g, while lignite had a capacity of
46 meq NHj1V l O O g.
23
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental Design
The study area was located in Mining Area A of Western Energy
Company’s Rosebud Mine at Colstrip9 Montana9 and covered approximately
2,590 m 2.
Spoil piles on the study site and adjacent areas were graded and
leveled.
1981.
Coversoil was placed on the leveled spoils in late September
Average cover-soil depth was between 60 and 70 cm, but ranged
from 46 to 100 cm.
Cover-soil was placed on the site with two
scrapers pulled by a four wheel drive tractor.
have occurred during this process.
Soil compaction may
In addition, water was sprayed on
the cover-soil after every few passes of the scraper for dust control.
After placement of cover-soil,
the area was chisel plowed twice to a
depth of 25 cm and disced once on the contour in early October to
alleviate compaction.
topsoil and subsoil,
1976 (J. Cundiff,
The cover-soil material, a mixture of both
was obtained from a storage pile constructed in
personal communication).
Seedbed preparation commenced on November 3, 1981.
At this time
the study site was chisel plowed twice, disced and harrowed. The
northern third of the study site was accidently ripped prior to
seedbed preparation.
To correct this situation,
the ripped areas
received an additional chisel plowing and discing.
Three 35 by 23 m blocks were laid out in parallel with the long
side of the blocks running approximately east to west.
numbered from I to 3 running from south to north.
Blocks were
Figure I shows the
24
layout of blocks and experimental plots.
separated each block.
Within each block
A buffer zone of 2.5 m
twenty-four, 5 by 5 m plots
were placed in four rows of six and separated by a I m buffer zone.
Plots were numbered by rows within each block from south to north.
Numbering
began
in each
southwestern corner.
block w i t h
the plot located in the
All plots were consecutively numbered from 1 to
72 starting with Block I.
Each plot was broadcast seeded by hand on November 3, 1981 to
achieve a fall dormant seeding.
Table I lists the plant species and
seeding rates used on all study plots.
All species, except Astragalus
cicer are considered native to the Northern Great Plains.
A sheep’s
foot cultipaeker was pulled over the site after seeding to ensure a
firm seed bed.
Table I. Seed mixture and rates used on fertilization study.
Scientific name
Common name
Agroovron dasvstachvum
A. smithii
A. trachvcaulum
Androoogon hallii
Bouteloua curtioendula
B„ gracilis
Calamovilfa longifolia
Panicum virgatum
Stioa viridula
Astragalus cicer
Petalostemon ouroureum
Atriolex canescens
Critana thickspike wheatgrass
Rosana western wheatgrass
Revenue slender wheatgrass
Sand bluestem
Pierre sideoats grama
Lovington bluegrama
Goshen prairie sandreed
Pathfinder switchgrass
Lodorm green needlegrass
Lutana cicer milkvetch
Kaneb purple prairie clover
Wytana fourwing saltbush
total
kg/ha
pure
live seed
3.5
4.7
3.6
6.8
1.1
0.8
1.1
2.1
2.4
4.3
3.8
3.6
37.8
#
seeds/
m^
118
118
118
118
118
118
65
118
118
118
237
43
1407
.
Figure I. Field design.
□□□□ □□□□ □□□□
□□□□ □□□□ □□□□
□□□□ □□□□ □□□□
□□□□ □□□□ □□□□
□□□□ □□□□ □□□□
□□□□ □□□□ □□□□
BLOCK 3
SCALE:
BLOCK 2
BLOCK I
26
A randomized block design with three replications was used for
this study.
Twenty-four combinations of fertilization rates were
tested and randomly
assigned
to plots
within each
block.
The
fertilizer treatments consisted of four rates of nitrogen (0, 14, 28,
and 56 kg/ha), three of phosphorus (0, 112, and 168 kg/ha), and two of
potassium (0 and 28 kg/ha) in complete factorial combination.
lists the twenty-four fertilization treatments by codes.
Table 2
Throughout
the rest of this thesis, fertilization treatments will be referred to
by these codes.
Table 2. Fertilizer treatment combinations.
Treatment
NO
PO
NO
Pl 12
NO
P168
Pl 12
NO
NO
P168
NO
PO
N14 PO
N14 Pl 12
KO0
KO
KO
K28
K28
K 28
KO
KO
Treatment
N14
P168
P112 .
N14
NI 4
P168
PO
N14
N28
PO
N28
Pl 12
N28
P168
N28
Pl 12
KO
K28
K28
K28
KO
KO
KO
K 28
N28
N28
N56
N56
N56
N56
N56
N56
Treatment
P168
PO
PO
Pl 12
P168
P112
P168
PO
K28
K28
KO
KO
KO
K28
K28
K28
0Numbers following elemental designation refer to application rate
(N = 0, 14, 28, and 56 kg/ha; P = 0, 112, and 168 kg/ha; K = O and
28 kg/ha).
The source of nitrogen was ammonium nitrate (34-0-0).
was applied in the form of triple superphosphate
potassium
in the f o r m
of
potassium
chloride
Phosphorus
(0-44-0),
(0-0-60).
and
The
experimental plots were fertilized with their respective mixtures on
April 29, 1982.
plots by hand.
The fertilizer was uniformly broadcasted over the
Only one person fertilized plots in a block to ensure
consistency of application within each block.
27
Vegetation Sampling
A number of vegetational parameters were estimated on this study.
These parameters included density, aerial biomass, canopy cover,
frequency, diversity, evenness, and richness.
Figure 2 illustrates the sampling scheme used in each plot.
Three parallel transects were placed in each plot 1.5 m apart.
The
transects ran parallel to the east/west sides of the plot, and the two
outer transects were placed I m from the edges.
The west end of each
transect was permanently marked.
Density
Plant density was counted on the experimental plots on May 21 and
22, and again between July 6 and 9, 1982.
Six, 20 x 50 cm sampling
frames were used in each plot during May.
Transects I and 3 each had
3 frames located 1.5 m apart (Figure 2).
Density was defined as the
number of individual plants per sample frame.
For species with a
bunch or tillering growth habit, a plant was considered an individual
if there was a gap of at least I cm between its base and the base of
another plant.
identifiable,
Plants wer e counted on a species
or
placed
into
plant
classes.
basis w h e n
Nomenclature
for
scientific names of plant followed U.S.D.A. (1982).
The same sampling procedures for May were used for the July
measurements except that 3 frames were added to Transect 2.
Field
observations in late June indicated six sample frames were not enough
to include the majority of plant species found in each plot.
Only
approximately 50 percent of the species located in each plot were
28
Figure 2. Vegetation sampling design for each experimental plot.
2.5m
Trx.3
SCALE
N
h
0m
KEY:
Aerial
f
Trx.1
Trx.2
I Canopy
*
Biomass
Cover
and
Density
I
29
found within
the six sample frames.
Preliminary sampling was
conducted in late June to determine the number of sample frames needed
to include the majority of plant species found on the study plots.
The results of the preliminary
sampling are shown in Figure 3.
Cumulative number of plant species were graphed against number of
sample frames.
For the sample plot, 10 sample frames were optimal.
The 10 frames included 12 of the 16 species found on the plot.
Due to
physical limitations of the study plot, only nine sample frames were
used.
Aerial Biomass
Vegetation was clipped for aerial biomass between July 20 and 25,
1982 for cool season perennial grasses, annual grasses, forbs, Salsola
kali, legumes,
and shrubs.
August 12 and 13, 1982.
Warm season grasses were clipped on
The vegetation was clipped at time of maximum
aerial biomass production.
A total of four, V U m ^ frames were used to sample each plot.
Two
frames were located on both Transects I and 2, and located 1.5 m apart
( Figure 2).
level.
Standing vegetation was clipped to within I cm of ground
The clipped vegetation was oven dried at 67° C for 48 hours,
and then weighed to the nearest tenth gram.
Canopy Cover
Canopy cover was recorded for all plots between July 20 and 25,
1982. . Nine 20 x 50 cm sampling frames were used for each plot.
Three
sample frames were located 1.5 m apart on each transect (Figure 2).
Canopy cover was read for each plant species in a sample by methods
30
CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF SPECIES
Figure 3. Preliminary sampling to estimate number of frames needed.
t
0
4
8
12
NUMBER OF FRAMES (20 X 50 cm)
31
described by Daubenmire (1959).
Daubenmire’s cover classes were
modified for this study as listed in Table 3.
Table 3.
Cover classes used for canopy cover sampling.
Cover class
Range of percent
canoDV cover
I
2 ■
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
0
5
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
95
0
> 5
- 10 .
- 20
- 30
- 40
- 50
- 60
- 70
- 80
- 90
- 95
> 100
100
Midpoint of
cover class
0
2.5
7.5
15
25
35
45
55
65
75
85
92.5
97.5
too
Frequency
Frequency was calculated from canopy cover data, and defined as
the percentage of canopy cover sample frames in which a particular
plant species occurred.
Frequency for a plant species was based on a
total of 27 sample frames located, in the three plots representing a
particular fertilization treatment.
Diversity
Diversity was calculated for each fertilization treatment using
the. Shannon Function.
Pielou (1975) listed the Shannon Function as:
.
S
H = Z
Pilog P1
i=l
where Pi is the proportion of the plant community belonging to the ith
32
species and S the number of species present in the sample.
The
portion of the total percent canopy cover of each plant species in a
fertilization treatment represented the
Evenness
values.
■
Evenness was defined as the distribution of total plant community
canopy cover among the individual plant species.
The evenness index
used was described by Odum (1971) as; e = H*/log Sf where H* is the
calculated Shannon Funtion and S the number of species found in the
sample.
Richness
Richness was defined as the total number of individual plant
species found in each fertilization treatment.
Richness was based on
the species found in the canopy cover data for each treatment.
Soil Sampling
Samples for baseline soils characterization were taken on October
22 and 23, 1981.
One composite sample was taken per block and broken
into depth intervals of 0-30 cm,
30-60 cm,
and 60-120 cm.
Each
composite consisted of fifteen, 4.8 cm diameter cores taken with a
Giddings probe at randomly picked locations within each block.
The
composites for each depth interval and block were thoroughly mixed,
placed in separate sample bags,
and immediately frozen.
After
transport, the frozen samples were immediately thawed, air dried for
72 hours,
then ground.
Soil samples for each block and depth interval were analyzed for
33
percent total N1 NOg-N, extractable P and K, percent organic matter,
electrical conductivity (EC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), pH,
exchangeable Ca, Mg, and Na; cation exchange capacity, and particle
size.
Total
N
was
determined
by
the
semimicro
digestion/distillation method described by Black (1965).
Kjeldahl
Nitrate was
analyzed at the Montana State University Soil Testing Laboratory which
used procedures based on the work of Doner et al. (1973), Sims and
Jackson (1971),
and West and Ramachandran (1966).
Extractable P and
K; cation exchange capacity; exchangeable Ca, Mg, and Na; and SAR were
determined by methods described by Sandoval and Power (1977).
Sims
and Haby (1970) described methods used for determining percent organic
matter.
An aliquot from a saturated soil paste for each sample was
used for determining pH and EC.
Particle size analysis was conducted
using the hydrometer method described by Black (I965).
In addition
C/N ratios were calculated for each soil sample using percent total N
and percent organic matter content.
Organic C content was assumed to
be 58 percent of the organic matter content (Brady 1974).
Post fertilization soil sampling was conducted on October 11,
1982.
Two sets of soil samples were taken.
The first set involved
compositing soil taken from plots containing all combinations of P and
K fertilization for a specific level of N.
This was done for all 4
levels of N in each block for the depth intervals of 0-15 cm and 1530 cm.
This set of soil samples was analyzed for total N, NOg-N, and
percent organic matter.
,The second set of samples consisted of
compositing soil taken from plots containing all combinations of N and
K for a specific level of P.
This >ras done for all levels of P in
\
34
each block for the depth interval of 0-15 cm.
analyzed for extractable P.
This set of samples was
Preparation and analysis of soil samples
did not differ from procedures used for baseline soil sampling except
that soil samples were taken with the use of an Oakfield probe, two
cores were taken randomly from each of the appropriate plots to form
the composite, and NOg-N was analyzed using methods described by
Richards (1954).
Haby and Larson (1976) found the two techniques of
NOg-N analysis used on this study were highly correlated (r2=0.94).
The use of the two techniques should not affect comparision of NOg-N
levels.
Soil moisture data were obtained with a neutron probe.
McHenry
(1963) described the theory and application of the neutron probe in
measuring
soil
moisture.
Two
neutron probe access
installed adjacent to the study site.
One access tube was located
north of the site, and the other to the south.
installed to a depth of 160 cm.
tubes were
The access tubes were
Neutron probe readings were taken
once a month during the growing season at 15 cm intervals to a depth
of 90 cm,
then at 30 cm intervals to a depth of 150 cm.
Field
generated data were converted to percent volumetric soil moisture
content by use of factory calibration equations.
Statistical Analysis
Vegetation
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods were used to analyze the
density, aerial biomass, and canopy cover data.
For density the plant classes of cool season perennial grasses,
35
warm season grasses, annual grasses, annual forbs, biennial forbs,
perennial forbs, legumes, shrubs, and total vegetation were analyzed.
A five factor AWOVA consisting of time, blocks, N, P, and K was used
to evaluate the data.
density data.
Two mean square errors were calculated for the
The first error was calculated by pooling the sum of
squares for all interactions involving blocks without time,
and
utilized in calculation of the F statistic of all main effects and
nutrient interactions not involving time.
calculated
by pooling
the sum
The second error term was
of squares for all
interactions
involving both time and blocks, and utilized in calculating the F
statistic for time and all interactions involving time.
Analysis of variance was conducted on aerial biomass data for
cool season perennial grasses, warm season grasses, annual grasses,
forbs, Salsoia kali, legumes, shrubs, and total vegetation.
For
canopy cover the plant classes of cool season perennial grasses, warm
season grasses;
shrubs,
annual,
biennial,
and perennial forbs;
and total vegetation were analyzed.
legumes,
A four factor ANOVA
consisting of blocks, N, P, and K was conducted on the aerial biomass
and canopy cover data.
The error was calculated by pooling the sum of
squares of all interactions involving blocks.
The null hypothesis
tested in the study was that the mean
responses of a particular data parameter for a plant class are equal
for all fertilization treatments.
Significance was defined as the
rejection of the null hypothesis with a probability greater than 95
percent (p<0.05).
Rejection of the null hypothesis with a probability
greater than 99 percent (p<0.01) was also noted.
36
Soils
Post fertilization soil data taken in October 1982 were analyzed
using ANOVA.
P were
each
Total N, NOg-N, percent organic matter, and extractable
analyzed
using
considered a replication.
one
factor
ANOVA.
Each
block was
Significance and testing of the null
hypothesis were conducted in the same manner described for vegetation.
37
STUDY SITE DESCRIPTION
Location
The study site was located in Mining Area A of Western Energy
Company's Rosebud Mine at Colstrip, Rosebud County, Montana (Figure
4).
Colstrip is approximately 48 km south of Forsyth,
MT at an
elevation approximately 980 m above sea level (Meyn et al. 1976).
The
legal description of the study site was the center of the NW 1/4, SW
1/4, S.33, T.2N, R.41E of the Montana Principal Meridian.
Figure 4. Study site location, Colstrip, Montana.
C OLSTRIP ■
Tonography
Resistance of geologic strata to erosion largely determines the
topography of the Colstrip area (Skilbred 1979).
The landscape is
dominated by rolling prairies with alternating ridges, drainages, and
sandstone bluffs.
Most streams drain to the north and eventually flow
into the Yellowstone River.
38
The study site was located on a north facing hilltop at an
elevation of approximately 1036m above sea level.
fairly
level with
The study site was
convex slopes of 0 to. 3 percent.
The slopes
gradually increased in steepness from south to north across the study
site.
Climate
Continental climatic conditions exist in the Colstrip area with
cold winters and warm summers (Meyn et al. 1976).
warmest month,
ColstripeS
July is usually the
while January the coldest (Munshower and DePuit 1976).
climate
is
semiarid
with
p r e c i p i t a t i o n a n n ually (N.O.A.A.
an
1981).
average
of
40.1
The m a j o r i t y
cm
of
of the
precipitation comes in the form of rain during the months of April,
May, and June.
Mean long term annual and monthly precipitation and temperature
data were obtained from N.O.A.A. (1981).
Monthly precipitation and
temperature data for the 1982 growing season were obtained directly
from the U.S. Weather Service reporting station in Colstrip.
Table 4
lists the monthly averages, and deviations from the long term averages
for temperature and precipitation at Colstrip.
During the study
temperatures were below normal during April and May, while above
normal during March,. June, July, and. August. Precipitation was below
normal between the months of April and August, but above normal in
March
/
39
Table 4.
Mean monthly temperature, precipitation and deviations from
the long term norm, Colstrip, Montana, 1981-82.
Mean
temperature
°C
Month
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
7.2
5.6
-11.1
-3.9
2.2
5.0
10.6
17.2
23.3
24.4
Deviation
0C
-2.0
5.9
—5.0
-0.9
2.1
-2.1
-1.4
0.1
1.4
3.2
Mean
precipitation
cm
3.8
1.3
2.0
2.5
0.5
5.6
3.3
4.1
4.8
2.6
2.9
Deviation
cm
1.2
-0.4
0.4
1.1
-0.9
3.7
-1.4
-2.2
-3.6
-0.4
—0.6
Vegetation
Rangeland in eastern Montana is generally classified as mixed
grass prairie association (Payne 1973).
The major subtype of this
association in the Colstrip area is ponderosa pine savannah.
The
dominant species in this subtype are Agropvron smithii, A. SPicatumf
and Bouteloua gracillis.
Ross and Hunter (1976) classified the climax
vegetation of the Colstrip area as a complex of Silty and Clayey range
sites.
In addition the Forest-Grassland complex range site is also
found in some locations surrounding Colstrip.
Approximately 53
percent of the rangeland in Rosebud County is in good to excellent
condition.
Prior to placement of cover soil on the study site, Salsola kali
and other annual forbs were the dominant species.
After placement of
cover soil in late September 1981, no germination or plants were
observed on the site for the remainder of the year.
40
Geology
Veseth and Montagne (1980) described the geologic history of
eastern Montana including the Colstrip area.
the last major Cretaceous sea,
Following the retreat of
soft nonmarine sediments spread over
the plains and basins of eastern Montana. . During the early Tertiary
period of the Paleocene epoch, creation of the Fort Onion Formation
occurred.
The Tongue River member
encompasses the Colstrip area.
of the Fort Union Formation
The Tongue River member is composed of
soft interbedded light yellow to yellowish gray lenticular sandstones;
gray claystones and shale; thin dark carbonaceous shales; coal seams;
and clinker beds.
Clinker beds were formed by burning shallow coal
beds baking overlying sediments into reddish beds of various hardness.
Clinkers often form resistant caps on buttes and ridges of the
Colstrip area.
Soils
On nearly level to moderately steep hills and plains, a mixture
of Camborthids and Torriorthents are recognized (Schafer et al. 1979).
A mine soil profile typical of the study site was described
acc o r d i n g
to
Soil
T a x o n o m y (Soil
Survey
Staff
1975),
modifications for mine soils suggested by Schafer (1979a).
profile description is listed in Table 22 of Appendix A.
the study site were classified as Typic Ustorthents.
with
The soil
The soils of
Using unofficial
soil series names from Schafer (1979a), the study site was placed into
the Cow Creek Series.
Evidence from the soil profile suggested that
original topsoil and subsoil from the one lift cover-soil stockpiling
operation did not thoroughly mix.
Pockets of strongly contrasting
dark material, possibly remanent of former A horizons were found
scattered throughout lighter colored material which may have been the
original subsoil.
It is possible the nutrient status of these two
materials differ, and may cause variation in vegetational growth
within plots over the study site.
Using criteria developed by Schafer (1979b),
classified as Land Capability Class IV.
the study site was
This class is suitable for
cultivated pasture and rangeland, but not suitable for row crops.
The
major limitation of the study site was due to lack of topsoil as
defined as material from the original A horizon.
Topsoil was not
segregated from subsoil during the stockpiling operation.
At least 15
cm of original topsoil would have been needed on top of the coversoil
material in order for the site to have qualified as Class III.
Baseline data for soils on the study site is listed in Table 5 by
block and
depth
interval.
Generally
little
variation
properties occurred for each depth interval by block.
in soil
One exception
was the sodium absorption ratio for the 0-30 cm interval in.Block 1
and the 30-60 cm interval in Block 3.
The SAR values were higher than
those found for other blocks and depth intervals, but not high enough
to interfer with plant growth and development.
Volumetric soil moisture content is graphed in Figure 5.
In
November 1981 and the following April, soil moisture content of the
upper soil profile was generally low.
By May and June, soil moisture
Table 5. Baseline soils data of the study site, October, 1982
Soil parameter
NOo-N (ppm)
0-30
Block 1
30-60 60-120
7.4
9.5
5.5
.052
.051
.047
1.6
0.9
0.9
10.0
18.2
11.1
2.0
2.0
0.6
87.0 116.0 122.0
17.19 28.87 24.88
2.80
5.32
4.53
0.18
0.10
0.06
8.0
11.0
11.1
7.79
7.49
7.63
1.08
0.87
0.91
44
48
49
18
23
23
29
33
33
loam
loam
loam
5.0
CO
on
O
8.2
13.0
Total N (*)
.056
.059
Organic matter ( % )
0.9
0.7
C/N
6.9
9.3
1.4
Extractable P (ppm)
2.2
Extractable K (ppm)
118.0 121.0
20.82 24.16
Exchangeable Ca (meq/IOOg)
Exchangeable Mg (meq/IOOg)
4.82
3.83
0.12
Exchangeable Na (meq/IOOg)
0.02
10.2
Cation Exchange Capacity (meq/IOOg)
11.5
7.88
7.68
pH
Sodium absorption ratio
3.2
0.92
% sand
43
43
% clay
23
23
% silt
34
34
loam
Texture class
loam
Soil death (cm) bv block
Block 2
0-30 30-60 60-120 0-30
1.2
18.3
1.2
98.0
19.31
3.48
0.10
8.6
7.81
1.22
46
23
31
loam
Block I
30-60 60-120
8.0
8.6
.046
.055
0.8
0.9
8.4
11.3
2.8
1.7
108.0 108.0
30.52 22.09
4.87
4.71
0.16
0.09
9.8
10.3
7.54
7.85
0.98
2.27
44
46
23
23
31
33
loam
loam
4.7
.041
1.2
17.0
1.2
88.0
11.07
3.43
0.16
7.2
7.55
0.84
46
20
34
loam
Figure 5.
KEY:
Volumetric soil moisture content, 1981-82.
NEUTRON PROBE A C C E S S TU B E , NORTH END
NEUTRON PROBE A C C E S S TU BE, SOUTH END
0-
5/ 17/82
15
30'
SOIL DEPTH (cm)
46-
6076
80 -
•
120
"
160 -
4— +— h
PERCENT VOLUME OF SOIL WATER
0-
8 / 12/82
1630 -
SOIL DEPTH (cm)
46 60 76 -
80-
\
120
/
H-----1-----1-----1
PERCENT VOLUME OF SOIL WATER
44
content near the surface had increased from precipitation events.
the summer progressed,
decreased
As
soil moisture content of the study site
45
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
The objective of this study was to determine first year.response
of a native species mixture to 24 fertilization.treatments on mine
soils at
Colstrip,
combinations
of
MT.
N,
The
P,
and
treatments
K.
consisted
Vegetational
of factorial
response
to
the
fertilization treatments was evaluated by measuring density, aerial
biomass, canopy cover, and frequency for the various plant classes
comprising the newly established plant community.
diversity,
evenness,
fertilization treatment.
site
at
the
end of
and r i c hness w e r e
In addition
calculated for
each
Soil analyses were conducted on the study
the first growing
season to determine how
fertilization affected the nutrient status of the soil.
Results and Discussion are divided into sections by fertilizer
element and related topics.
The phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and
nutrient interactions sections detail how fertilization affected the
plant community and its components. . In addition,
these sections
include results and discussion on post fertilization soil analyses.
The adequacy of regression model section discusses the limitations of
the regression equations.
Appendix B contains all the analysis of variance tables referred
to in this study.
Generally, experimental results are discussed in
terms of plant classes.
For the person interested in the results of a
specific fertilization treatment on a particular species, Tables 30 to
33 of Appendix C contain this information listed by data parameter.
46
Phosphorus
This section discusses the effects of P fertilization by plant
classes, plant community development, and residual effects on the
soil.
Phosphorus fertilization affected the density, aerial biomass,
and canopy cover response of several plant classes (Tables 23, 24, and
25; Appendix B).
Regression analyses evaluated the influence of P on
the plant classes signficantly affected, by fertilization.
fertilization
was
defined
as
the
independent variable while
vegetational response as the dependent variable.
quadratic models were evaluated.
Level of P
Both linear and
Significance was defined as the
rejection of the null hypothesis (all slope coefficients equal to
zero) with a probability greater than 95 percent.
test
(LOF) described
by
Neter
and
Wasserman
The lack of fit
(1974)
tested
the
appropriateness of regression models in.which slope coefficients
proved significant.
Lack of fit tests the null hypothesis that the
expected value of the dependent variable is equal to the regression
model.
null
Significance for the LOF test occurs with an acceptance of the
hypothesis at a probability greater than 95 percent.
For
regression models that proved non significant for the LOF test,
alternative models were tested until an appropriate model was fitted.
Regression
models
for
which
slope
coefficients
an d
appropriateness proved significant are illustrated in Figures 6 to 15.
The
corresponding p values
determination
illustrations,
are
also
for
the
listed.
t test and
On
each
of
coefficients
the
of
regression
the dot r e p r e s e n t s the m e a n r e s p o n s e for all
47
combinations of N and K fertilization with a specific level of P for
the plant class and data parameter being estimated.
The verticle line
drawn through each mean response represents the 95 percent confidence
interval that contains the mean response, and is based on the eight
combinations of N and K fertilization associated with a particular
level of P.
Cool Season Perennial Grasses
Table 6 summarizes the data collected for cool season perennial
grasses.
Phosphorus fertilization did not significantly affect the
data parameters tested for this plant class (Table 23, 24, and 25;
Appendix B).
33,
Frequency also was unaffected by P fertilization (Table
Appendix
C).
Meyn et al.
(1975) stated that evidence from
Colstrip and the literature indicated fertilization has unpredictable
effects on perennial grasses during the first growing season.
This
unpredictability in cool season grass response may be due to variation
in
factors
such
as
precipitation,'
soil
temperature,
and
site
characteristics.
Cool season grasses may not have responded to P fertilization due
to climatic conditions.
During April and May 198.2 average monthly
temperatures were lower than the long term average for Colstrip (Table
4).
Precipitation was also below normal for the months from April to
August (Table 4).
The lower temperatures and precipitation may have
reduced growth rates of cool season perennial grasses.
climatic
c o n d i t i o n s such
as w a r m e r
If different
t e m p e r a t u r e s and higher
precipitation existed during the first season of growth, responses to
48
fertilization may have occurred for cool season perennial grasses.
Table 6. Vegetational statistics of cool season perennial grasses by
fertilization treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
NI 4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NI 4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
P112
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
Density
May
plants/nr
Density
July
plants/nr
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
Canopy
cover
100.0
105.6
90.0
95.0
95.6
83.9
69.4
98.3
106.7
80.0
81.7
95.6
103.9
103.3
77.2
89.4
81.7
94.4
115.6
88.9
63.3
90.6
100.6
138.3
100.7
85.6
74.8
98.5
94.1
84.8
55.9
80.0
87.8
64.4
76.3
79.6
90.4
107.8
75.6
94.8
81.9
81.9
105.9
87.0
70.4
85.6
91.5
109.3
327.6
319.6
226.8
222.4
222.8
262.8
347.6
261.2
234.0
255.6
246.0
258.0
338.8
217.6
210.4
164.0
212.0
105.6
202.8
306.4
165.2
170.8
169.6
243.6
30.9
26.0
20.0
19.4
18.0
27.4
16.4
20.6
23.1
16.2
20.4
27.1
24.8
27.7
21.0
23.7
13.2
12.2
15.4
20.0
21.6
16.4
18.6
23.1
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
%
Warm Season Grasses
Table 7 sumarizes the data collected for warm season grasses.
Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected the density, aerial
biomass, and canopy cover of this plant class (Tables 23* 24, and 25;
Appendix B).
During May, density of warm season grasses was zero, but by late
June emergence occurred.
A four factor ANOVA evaluated the effect P
49
fertilization had on the July density data (Table 23, Appendix B).
Phosphorus proved significant for the July density data and tended to
decrease grass density as fertilization increased (Figure 6).
Little
information existed in the literature on how fertilization affects
emergence
of warm season grasses.
Welch et al. (1962) reported
fertilization of this plant class in Texas did not affect emergence.
Table 7. Vegetational statistics of warm season grasses by
fertilization treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NI 4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
May
plants/m^
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Density
July
plants/m2
11.9
14.1
5.2
10.4
13.3
11.1
1.5
5.6
5.9
3.7
23.7
8.5
8.5
11.1
8.9
17.4
22.2
19.3
29.3
18.9
13.7
18.9
10.0
17.8
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
2.4
1.2
1.6
2.8
2.8
3.2
2.0
2.4
1.2
3.2
4.4
1.6
1.2
3.2
1.6
3.2
8.8
7.6
7.2
8.8
5.6
6.4
4.8
3.2
Canopy
cover
%
1.1
1.0
0.7
1.0
0.6
1.2
0.0
0.5
0.7
0.6
1.2
1.2
0.7
0.7
0.8
0.8
1.4
1.3
1.9
1.8
1.1
1.4
1.3
1.8
50
NUMBER OF PLANTS PER M SQ
Figure 6. Mean density of warm season grasses in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
—0 . 0 5 9 X +•
<
I 8.47
0.0 I
0.38
PHOSPHORUS
RATE ( k g / h a )
51
It should be noted at this point that P fertilization did not
significantly affect the first growing season density of other plant
classes analyzed in this study (Table 23, Appendix B).
Other studies
agreed with these results (Aldon I978, DePuit et a I. 1978, Holechek
1976).
Phosphorus fertilization tended to decrease the aerial biomass
(Figure 7) and canopy
cover
(Figure
8) of warm
season grasses.
Several rangeland studies reported similar results (Johnston et al.
1967, Wight and Black 1979).
Only P fertilization had an effect on the frequency of warm
season grasses (Table 33, Appendix C).
To better show this effect,
frequency is listed in Table 8 by taking the mean of all combinations
of N and K at a specific level of P for each plant species.
of w a r m
season grasses
tended
to decrease w i t h
Frequency
increased P
fertilization.
Identification of warm season grasses by species was not possible
until mid August due to the lack of development in individual plants.
As a result, green bristle grass (Setaria viridis), a warm season
annual, was counted as a perennial.
grass
composed
only
a small
In mid August, green bristle
portion of
the warm
season grass
population.
Other species on the study site included sideoats grama
(Bouteloua
ourtipendula). blue grama (JBa. gracilis), and prairie
sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia).
Increased competition from other plant classes as the result of P
fertilization may have caused the adverse effects on warm season
grasses.
Emergence of warm season grasses did not occur until late
52
AERIAL BIOMASS ( k g /h a )
Figure 7. Mean aerial biomass of warm season grasses in response to P
fertilization, August, 1982.
Y =
-0.027X
p <
0.01
r eq
+
6.28
0.64
0.70
t
p <
0.01
Y =r
0 .0 0 0 2 X
-0.059X
+6.55
------------------------- 1--------------- 1
112
P H O S P H O R U S RATE ( k g / h a )
168
53
PERCENT CANOPY COVER
Figure 8. Mean canopy cover of warm season grasses in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
Y
=
p <
r eq.
-0.006X
+
1.46
0.01
=
0.63
P H O S P H O R U S RATE ( k g / h a )
Table
8. Mean frequency of plant species by P fertilization rate, July 1982
Plant class/soecies
Cool season perennial grasses:
Acronvron dasvstachvum
A. smithii
A. snicatum
A. trachvcaulum
A. trichonhorum
BrPfflU? inermis
Hprdeun .lutatu®
Stina viridula
Warm season grasses:
Annual grasses:
Avena fatua
Bromus ianonicus
B. tectorum
Annual Forbs:
Amaranthus sp.
Camell na microcarpa
Chenonodium album
c. leptephYllum
Descurainia pinnata
D. gppbia
Ellisia nvctelea
Helianthus annuu?
H. netiolaris
P168
Pl 12
£Q
92.6
74.1
0.0
14.8
0.5
0.9
2.3
13.0
28.7
93.5
76.4
0.5
20.8
0.9
0.0
0.5
14.4
31.5
92.1
64.8
0.0
17.1
0.0
0.0
0.5
13.0
47.7
3.2
34.3
10.2
3.7
34.3
6.9
2.3
25.5
3.2
8.3
10.2
14.4
4.2
0.5
1.8
0.9
1.8
1.4
7.9
4.2
8.3
4.6
0.5
0.9
1.4
2.8
0.5
9.7
2.8
7.9
2.3
0.0
0.5
0.0
4.2
0.5
Plant class/snecies
Kochia sconaria
Lannula redowski
Polygonum aviculare
P. convolYUlU?
P. rarnoaissimum
Salsola kali
SisYffltr'*nm ^ltlssifflUffl
Sslanuip triflerun
Vaccaria secetalis
Xanthium strumarium
Biennial forbs:
Lactuca serriola
Traconocon dubius
Perennial Forbs:
Ambrosia nsilostachva
Taraxacum officinale
Legumes:
Astraealus cicsr
A l S£-l
Melilotus officinalis
Petalostemon nurnureum
Shrubs:
Atrinlex canescens
P168 Pl 12
0.5
0.5
0.0
0.5
53.2 55.1
6.0
5.1
7.4
6.9
100.0 100.0
0.0
1.9
2.8
5.1
1.4
1.9
0.0
0.5
20
0.5
0.0
50.9
2.3
6.5
99.5
0.0
5.1
0.0
0.0
8.3
6.0
6.5
5.1
10.2
7.4
0.5
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
0.5
87.5
0.5
23.6
18.1
82.4
0.0
22.7
18.5
85.2
0.0
22.7
24.1
22.7
19.0
16.2
55
June.
By this time annual grasses and annual forbs had become
established with aerial biomass and/or canopy cover significantly
increased by P fertilization.
On high P fertilized plots, these
established plant classes may have outcompeted warm season grasses by
decreasing
available
soil
moisture
through
transpiration.
The
decreases in density and frequency indicated P fertilization affected
distribution and emergence rather than individual plant growth*
A
decrease in the number of individual plants, rather than decreased
growth of individual plants caused the reduction in aerial biomass and
canopy cover.
i
Statistical analysis indicated a significant interaction of time
x P fertilization affected warm season grass density response (Table
23, Appendix B).
This interaction was expected.
As discussed, P
fertilization significantly affected density in July, but not in May
due
to lack of emergence.
This difference in response to P
fertilization between the two sampling times, resulted in the time x P
interaction.
Annual Grasses
Table 9 summarizes
the data collected
for
annual grasses.
Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected the aerial biomass and
canopy cover response of this plant class (Tables 23 and 24, Appendix
B).
Aerial biomass.(Figure 9) and canopy cover (Figure 10) tended to
increase
with
P fertilization.
Frequency of annual grasses,
especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) tended to also increase with P
fertilization (Table 8).
56
Figure 9. Mean aerial biomass of annual grasses in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
Y =
(0.028X
p <
0.01
0.34
AERIAL BIOMASS (kg/ha)
r sq.
4-4.38)
PHOSPHORUS RATE (k g /h a )
57
PERCENT CANOPY COVER
Figure 10. Mean canopy cover of annual grasses in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
Y —
0 . 0 3 X +■ 4 . 11
p <
0 . 01
r sq. =
0
0.27
112
PHOSPHORUS RATE (kg /ha )
1 68
58
Results of this study agreed with the literature for response of
annual grasses to fertilization.
increase
in aerial
Literature indicated annual grasses
biomass and canopy cover with N or N plus P
fertilization (Meyn et al. 1976, White and Halvorson 1980).
Table 9. Vegetational statistics of annual grasses by fertilization
treatment, 1982.
Density
May
plants/m2
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NI 4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NI 4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
July
plants/m2
5.6
5.0
2.8
5.0
4.4
4.4
3.3
3.9
9.4
2.8
6.1
6.7
3.3
2.2
1.7
3.9
3.9
3.9
0.6
3.3
2.8
1.7
2.8
5.6
5.6
0.7
2.6
5.2
2.2
0.4
2.2
6.3
4.8
1.5
0.4
6.7
5.6
5.6
2.2
3.7
1.1
5.9
0.4
1.1
1.5
1.9
1.9
5.2
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
Canopy
cover
208.4
45.2
47.2
129.6
44.4
72.0
126.8
175.2
35.6
34.0
16.0
40.4
132.4
55.2
11.2
51.2
31.2
32.0
59.2
2.8
7.2
0.4
39.2
60.8
10.4
1.9
7.5
10.0
6.3
6.1
11.6
15.7
11.3
5.0
0.8
11.4
13.2
10.1
7.7
5.1
4.9
4.3
3.2
1.9
2.8
3.0
3.2
8.0
%
Annual forbs
Table
10
summarizes
the
data
collected
for
annual
forbs.
Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected the canopy cover
response of this plant class,
but not the aerial biomass response of
59
Russian
thistle
Appendix B).
(Salsola k a l i ) and forbs
(Tables 23 and 24,
Canopy cover of annual forbs tended to increase as P
fertilization increased
(Figure
11).
Russian
thistle,
was
the
dominant annual forb and constituted approximately 40 to 60 percent of
the community's total canopy cover (Table 32, Appendix C).
Table 10. Vegetational statistics of annual forbs by fertilization
treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
NI 4
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
May
plants/m^
25.6
23.3
31.1
21.1
20.6
20.6
45.0
15.6
17.8
26.1
23.3
13.3
21.1
28.9
30.6
17.8
23.9
31.7
22.2
24.4
27.8
11.7
21.1
28.3
Density
July
plants/m2
40.4
25.2
3 2 .2
37.8
34.8
28.9
41.9
36.7
35.2
35.6
37.8
31.1
34.4
59.6
31.5
28.5
34.1
41.5
41.9
35.9
33.0
27.4
26.7
40.0
SAKA*
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
OF**
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
Canopy
cover
56
1320.8
2291.6
2622.0
1505.2
2962.8
1866.8
2203.2
2060.4
2520.8
1661.2
1961.2
2182.0
2913.6
1788.0
1998.4
1969.6
1698.0
1840.4
1713.6
994.0
2001.2
1510.8
2358.8
1875.6
307.6
57.6
124.8
132.8
129.2
414.4
216.8
389.2
66.8
290.8
201.6
197.2
149.2
217.6
186.4
76.0
32.8
129.2
178.0
107.2
85.6
183.2
92.8
217.2
67.1
85.7
101.6
82.7
92.1
75.4
105.5
83.2
93.1
91.0
82.0
74.1
75.7
80.6
92.5
87.4
83.9
73.4
70.1
75.4
77.0
57.7
73.7
76.3
•SAKA = Russian thistle.
**0F = all forbs except Russian thistle, includes annual, biennial and
perennial forbs.
60
PERCENT CANOPY COVER
Figure 11. Mean percent canopy cover of annual forba in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
80
—
60
-
Y =
0.82X +
r sq. =
40
73.93
0.29
-
PHOSPHORUS RATE (kg /ha )
61
Responses of annual forbs to P fertilization for canopy cover
generally
agreed with
the literature,
contradicted the literature.
but aerial
biomass
data
Several studies found N or N plus P
fertilization increased canopy cover and aerial biomass of annual
forbs, especially Russian thistle during the first growing season
(Buchholz 1972, DePuit et al. 1978, Holechek 1976).
Despite the lack
of statistical significance, field observations indicated Russian
thistle and other annual forbs had greatest aerial biomass on heavily
P fertilized plots.
indicated
Methods described by Snedecor and Cochran (I98O)
the number
of
sample frames
used in
this
study
was
insufficient to detect changes of 25 percent in aerial biomass
response of Russian thistle and other forbs.
frames,
With additional sample
significant differences to P fertilization may have been
detected.
Biennial and Perennial Forbs
Tables 11 apd 12 summarize the data collected for biennial and
perennial forbs respectively.
Phosphorus fertilization did not
significantly affect the response of these plant classes for any of
the data parameters measured (Tables 23, 24, and 25; Appendix B).
Density,
aerial
biomass,
and
canopy cover of these forbs were
relatively low on the study site.
Biennial and perennial forbs
occurred mainly on the eastern side of the study site.
A grassland
community established on previously mined land bordered the study site
on the east side.
Apparently these forbs invaded the study site from
this revegetated area.
62
Table 11. Vegetatlonal statistics of biennial forbs by fertilization
treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl I2
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
May
plants/m2
Density
July
plants/.u2
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.0
1.1
3.0
0.4
1.5
0.7
0.7
1.1
1.9
2.2
1.1
1.1
0.4
2.6
1.9
1.5
1.9
0.0
0.4
2.2
1.5
0.0
3.0
2.6
1.9
2.2
Canopy
cover
%
0.7
0.2
1.9
0.0
0.3
1.7
1.4
0.4
0.7
0.6
0.1
0.9
0.6
0.3
1.1
0.0
1.9
1.3
2.0
0.1
2.5
0.8
1.4
2.5
Legumes
Table 13 summarizes the data collected for legumes. Phosphorus
fertilization significantly affected the aerial biomass and canopy
cover response of this plant class (Tables 23 and 24, Appendix B).
Aerial biomass decreased between the O and 112 kg P/ha rates, but
increased between 112 and 168 kg P/ha (Figure 12).
For canopy cover,
legumes tended to decrease as P fertilization increased (Figure 13).
Despite this linear trend, canopy cover was depressed at the 112 kg
P/ha fertilization rate when compared to the O and 168 kg P/ha levels.
63
Table 12. Vegetational statistics of perennial forbs by
fertilization treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
N14
NU
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NW
NW
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NW
NW
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
Density
May
plants/m2
Density
July
plants/m2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Canopy
cover
56
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
o.o
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Of the legumes on the study site, Cicer milkvetch (Astragulus
cicer) made the largest contribution to density and canopy cover
(Tables
30,
31»
and
32;
Appendix
C).
Phosphorus
fertilization
generally did not affect frequency of legumes (Table 8).
64
Table 13. Vegetational statistics of legumes by fertilization
treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
NU
NU
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NU
NU
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NU
NU
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
May
plants/m2
Density
July
plants/m2
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
Canopy
cover
55.6
45.6
53.3
44.4
46.7
45.0
45.0
55.6
37.2
43-3
32.8
45.0
44.4
41.7
41.1
33.3
52.2
48.3
80.6
32.2
31.1
51.7
56.1
46.7
59.6
37.0
45.9
54.1
38.5
48.9
40.0
54.4
39.3
60.4
31.1
46.3
43.0
45.2
37.0
44.8
55.9
49.6
82.6
36.7
35.9
53.7
42.2
67.8
53.2
60.4
36.4
19.6
58.8
54.8
49.6
49.6
52.0
26.4
14.4
30.0
35.2
26.8
32.8
23.2
27.6
39.2
51.2
33.2
59.2
76.4
56.0
66.4
7.4
4.7
4.9
3.7
3.2
8.8
4.6
5.7
4.6
3.7
5.4
5.5
4.5
3.8
5.0
3.9
6.6
4.1
10.0
5.5
7.3
8.2
6.8
10.4
%
65
AERIAL BIO M A SS (k g /h a )
Figure
12.
Mean aerial biomass of legumes
fertilization, July, 1982.
Y —
0.0 0 3 X
p <
0.05
I
sq.
=
2
-
0 .6 2 4 X
in response
f
to P
5 1.16
0.33
60
40
20
t
H-------------112
P H O S P H O R U S RATE ( k g / h a )
168
66
13.
Mean canopy cover of legumes
fertilization, July, 1982.
PERCENT C A NO PY COVER
Figure
Y =
- 0 . 0 1 4 X +- 7 . 0 2
p <
0.06
r sq. a
t
in response
to
P
0.23
\---------------------
P H O S P H O R U S RATE ( k g / h a )
1
67
Two factors may have affected the response of legumes to P
fertilization.
classes.
The first factor was competition from other plant
Phosphorus fertilization significantly increased the aerial
biomass and canopy cover of other plant classes on this study.
These
plant classes may have outcompeted legumes for site resources as
fertilization increased their aerial biomass and canopy cover.
This
competition may have resulted in the decrease in legumes at the 112 kg
P/ha rate for aerial biomass and canopy cover.
Studies at Colstrip
indicated combinations of N and P fertilization of seeded species
mixtures reduced canopy cover and aerial biomass of legumes as the
result of competition from other plant classes (DePuit et al. 1978»
Holechek 1976).
Brown and Munsell (1956) reported P fertilization
decreased legume composition in a legume/grass mixture by increasing
the
competitive
ability
of
Kentucky
bluegrass
(Poa nratensish
Decreases in individual plant growth, rather than a decrease in the
number of plants accounted for the reduction in aerial biomass and
canopy cover of legumes at 112 kg P/ha.
Frequency and density of
legumes did not change as P fertilization increased, indicating no
effect on the number of individual plants.
DePuit and Coenenberg
(1979) noted fertilization with N and P decreased aerial biomass and
canopy cover of legumes in a diverse species mixture by decreasing
plant growth.
The
second
factor
a f fecting
response
of
legumes
fertilization may be the beneficial effects P has on legumes.
to
P
Several
studies noted P fertilization increased composition or yields of
legumes in perennial grass mixtures (Cooper et al. 1969» Mott 19^3»
68
Synder et al. 1978).
Aerial biomass and canopy cover of legumes may
have been greater at 168 kg P/ha, than at 112 kg P/ha, because of the
beneficial
effect P has on legumes.
Phosphorus at 168 kg P/ha
stimulated growth of legumes as indicated by increased aerial biomass
and canopy cover.
This stimulation of legume growth at. 168 kg P/ha
may have offset negative competitive effects from other plant classes
found at 112 kg P/ha.
DePuit and Coenenberg (1979) predicted the
results found in this study.
They noted that W with P fertilization
decreased aerial biomass and canopy cover of legumes,
but speculated
that legumes would increase with higher levels of P.
Shrubs
Table 14 summarizes the data collected for shrubs.
Phosphorus
fertilization had no significant effects on the aerial biomass and
canopy cover response of this plant class (Tables 23 and 24, Appendix
B).
Fourwing saltbrush was the only shrub on the study site, but was
represented in all fertilization treatments.
Literature indicated N and P fertilization increased yields of
fourwing saltbrush (Aldon 1978,
Aldon et al.
1976).
The lack of
response.of shrubs to P fertilization in this study could not be
explained.
Perhaps this lack of response is temporary and results
from subsequent years sampling will differ.
One growing season may.
not be long enough for fourwing saltbush to respond to fertilization.
69
Table 14. Vegetational statistics of shrubs by fertilization
treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
NI 4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NI 4
NI 4
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
May
plants/m2
Density
July
plants/m2
2.8
0.6
2.8
1.7
2.8
2.8
2.2
3.3
1.1
1.7
0.6
2.8
2.2
3.9
0.0
1.1
3.3
2.8
1.7
0.6
3.9
2.8
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.1
4.4
3.7
1.9
3.3
1.9
1.1
2.2
1.1
0.4
2.6
2.2
3.7
1.1
1.1
3.0
1.5
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.9
1.1
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
7.2
0.8
1.2
13.2
3.2
3.2
2.4
5.2
5.6
15.2
3.2
4.4
5.2
1.6
1.6
3.6
6.0
2.0
4.0
2.0
1.6
7.6
4.4
12.8
Canopy
cover
%
0.4
0.5
0.9
1.5
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.7
0.6
0.3
0.1
0.9
0.7
1.0
0.6
0.5
0.9
0.6
0.3
0.3
0.7
1.0
1.0
0.3
Total Vegetation
Table 15 summarizes the data collected for total vegetation.
Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected aerial biomass and
canopy cover response of vegetation (Tables 23 and 24, Appendix B).
Aerial biomass (Figure 14) and canopy cover (Figure 15) tended to
increase with P fertilization.
The results of this study for aerial biomass and canopy cover of
total vegetation were expected.
Several studies reported that P
fertilization in the presence of adequate soil NOg-N increased aerial
70
biomass and canopy cover of total vegetation during the first growing
season (Barnhisel and Evangelou 1981, DePuit et al. 1978, Farmer et
al. 1974).
Table 15. Vegetational statistics of total vegetation by fertilization
treatment, 1982.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
NI4
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NI4
NI4
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Density
May
plants/nr
Density
July
PlantsZmei
189.4
180.0
181.1
167.2
170.0
157.2
165.0
177.2
172.2
154.4
144.4
163.3
175.6
180.6
151.1
145.6
166.1
181.1
221.1
149.4
129.4
158.9
181.7
221.1
223.0
164.1
166.7
210.4
185.6
178.5
145.2
186.3
176.3
167.8
170.0
177.4
185.9
234.8
158.1
190.4
198.5
201.9
263.0
180.7
158.5
191.5
175.9
243.3
Aerial
biomass
kg/ha
Canopy
cover
2226.8
2776.8
3060.0
2024.8
3424.0
2676.8
2948.8
2943.6
2916.4
2286.8
2446.8
2713.2
3574.8
2309.6
2442.0
2290.8
2016.4
2156.4
2216.8
1454.0
2325.6
1955.2
2725.6
2478.8
118.1
120.0
137.5
118.3
120.9
121.4
140.0
126.8
134.1
117.3
110.0
121.1
120.4
124.2
128.7
121.4
112.7
97.2
103.1
104.9
113.1
88.4
105.9
122.2
%
Plant Communitv Develonment
Table 16 lists the diversity,
each fertilization treatment.
evenness,
and richness indices for
Diversity ranged from .5056 to .8383,
evenness from .3767 to .5925, and richness from 16 to 26.
Despite
large differences between maximum and minimum values of the indices,
71
AERIAL BIOMASS (kg/ha)
Figure 14. Mean aerial biomass of total vegetation in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
3400
-
3000
-
Y =
3.6 I 3 X 4 - 2 1 7 9
P
0.01
<
r sq. =
2600
-
2200
-
0.28
1800
4------ 1
0
112
PH O SPH O R U S RATE ( k g / h a )
168
72
PERCENT CANOPY COVER
Figure 15. Mean canopy cover of total vegetation in response to P
fertilization, July, 1982.
0.12X +
<
r sq.
10#.#
0.01
o.so
PHOSPHORUS RATE (kg /ha )
73
fertilization did not affect diversity,
evenness,
or richness during
the first growing season.
Table 16. Diversity, evenness, and richness indices by fertilization
treatment.
Fertilizer
treatment
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
N14
N14
N28
N28
N56
N56
NO
NO
NU
NU
N28
N28
N56
N56
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
P168
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
Pl12
Pl 12
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
PO
Diversity
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K 28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
KO
K28
Evenness
Richness
26
19
26
24
20
26
23
26
26
22
19
24
25
24
25
20
22
26
20
16
16
21
22
23
.5925
.4705
.5305
.5264
.4908
.5485
.5136
.5553
.4915
.4641
.4791
.5687
.5601
.5327
.5063
.4949
.4771
.5075
.5241
.5500
.5764
.5146
.3767
.5776
.8383
.6016
.7506
.7266
.6386
.7761
.6993
.7857
.6955
.6230
.6127
.7849
.7830
.7353
.7077
.6439
.6404
.7181
.6818
.6623
.6940
.6804
.5056
.7866
If trends in vegetational responses observed during the first
growing season due to P fertilization continue in subsequent growing
seasons;
diversity,
fertilization.
of plant
and richness may be affected by P
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the percent composition
classes
fertilization
evenness,
in the
on the
community
basis
of
significantly
aerial
biomass
and
affected
canopy
by P
cover
74
Figure
16.
Composition of plant community
fertilization, aerial biomass.
as affeced
by P
100
CO
CO
<
S
O
m
90
-
OPC
-j
<
OC
LU
<
80
-
-J
<
IO
lLL
O
LU
O
<
X
<
<
<
<
IZ
LU
O
OC
LU
Q.
5
-
^WSGv
LEG
WSG,
PHOSPHORUS RATE (kg/ha)
eWSG = warm season grasses; LEG = legumes; AG = annual grasses;
OPC** = other plant classes.
eeOPC contains plant classes not significantly affected by P
fertilization for aerial biomass response.
75
Figure
17•
Composition of plant community
fertilization, canopy cover.
as affected by P
CC
LU
>
O
O
>
CL
O
Z
<
O
<
HO
HLL
O
UJ
O
<
HZ
LU
O
CL
LU
O-
WSG
PHOSPHORUS RATE (kg/ha)
•WSG = warm season grasses; LEG = legumes; AG = annual grasses;
AF = annual forbs; OPC** = other plant classes.
eeOPC contains plant classes not significantly affected by P
fertilization for canopy cover response.
76
respectively.
Phosphorus
fertilization decreased the percent
composition of warm season grasses and to an extent legumes, while
increasing annual grasses and annual forbs.
The continued reduction
of warm season grasses and legumes (at 112 kg P/ha) on P fertilized
plots in subsequent growing seasons,
could decrease plant community
diversity when compared to non P fertilized plots.
Only subsequent
years' sampling will indicate if fertilization influences diversity
and its components, evenness and richness.
Residual Effects
Table 17 lists the extractable P content of the study site soil.
Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected the extractable P
content of the soil (Table 26, Appendix B).
increased with P fertilization (Figure 18).
Extactable P content
These results agreed with
other studies (Lambert and Grant 1980, Young and Rennick 1982),
Table 17. Mean soil extractable P content by P fertilizer rate (ppm),
October, 1982
P level (kg/ha)
0-15 cm
0
2.2
112
168
17.2
27.4
77
Figure 18. Mean soil extractable P content in response to P
fertilization, 0-15 cm, October, 1982.
EXTRACTABLE PHOSPHORUS (ppm)
Y =
0 . 1 4 8 X +■ 1 . 8 2
0.01
r sQ. —
0.87
30 -
10 -
PHOSPHORUS RATE ( k g /h a )
78
Vegetational responses to P fertilization should continue in
subsequent growing seasons.
Phosphorus
fertilization
greatly
increased the extractable P content of the soil between October 1981
and 1982 (Tables 5 and 17).
This P should be available for plant
utilization in subsequent growing seasons. Tisdale and Nelson (1975)
noted P applied by broadcast methods generally remains within a few
centimeters of the soil surface.
broadcasting.
The current study applied P by
The lack of m o b i l i t y of P should not
prevent
vegetational responses from occurring in subsequent growing seasons.
Tisdale and Nelson (1975). stated that forage crops were able to
utilize broadcast applied P by absorption through shallow roots.
Nitrogen
No significant differences
in vegetational response due to N
fertilization were found for density, aerial biomass, or canopy cover
of the plant class tested (Tables 23, 24, and 25; Appendix B). These
results contradicted other studies.
McGinnies and Nicholas (1980)
reported N fertilization increased total herbage an average of 89
percent on spoil material covered with various depths of topsoil.
Several
rangeland fertilization studies indicated various plant
classes and species respond to N application (Cooper 1975, Goetz 1970,
Power 1979, N a m e s and Newell 1969).
Responses to P fertilization for aerial biomass and canopy cover
indicated an adequate, supply of indigenous NOg-N in study site soils
to meet plant needs during the first, growing season.
Several studies
have shown vegetation rarely responded to P fertilization unless
At
79
adequate levels of N were present (Johnston et al. 1969, Lorenz and
Rogler 1973, Wight and Black 1972),
resu l t s
similar
vegetational
to this study.
response
to
N
Power et al. (1974b) observed
They concluded that lack of
fertilization,
and
responses
to
P
fertilization indicated indigenous soil NOg-N levels were adequate for
plant needs.
Compared with other studies at Colstrip, baseline soil analyses
indicated high levels of indigenous
N O g - N in the study site soil.
Nitrate ranged from 7.4 to 8.2 ppm in the upper 30 cm of the soil
profile,
and 8.6 to 13.0 ppm between 30 and 60 cm (Table 5).
Colstrip DePuit and Coenenberg (1979) found average
At
NOg-N in the top
30 cm of the soil profile to be 2.2 ppm, and 5.3 ppm between 30 and 60
cm in topsoiled spoils.
Holechek (1976) found similar results at
Colstrip in topsoiled spoils.
Young and Rennick (1982) reported mean
nitrate content ranged from 5.0 to 7,6 ppm for composites taken for
several
intervals
between 0 and
15 cm
of
the
soil
surface
on
topsoiled, regraded mine soils.
During October. 1981, percent organic matter content of the study
site soil was generally less than that in native soils of the Colstrip
area.
Percent organic matter ranged from 0.8 to 0.9 percent over the
study site in the upper 30 cm.of the soil profile (Table 5).
Munshower et al. (1978) measured percent organic matter on eight
grazing exclosures in the Colstrip vicinity at 10 cm increments from
the soil surface to a depth of 40 cm.
Organic matter hanged from 1.5
to 7.5 percent on the surface and from 0.8
depths
to 3.1
for all other
80
The higher amounts of
NOg-N and lower organic matter content in
the study site soils may be due to cover-soil handling procedures.
The cover-soil used on the study site was stockpiled in 1976, and
applied to the site in October,
1981.
During this time, organic
matter may have undergone mineralization as indicated by high
and low organic matter levels.
Zap,
NOg-N
Data from the Indian Head Mine near
North Dakota supported this conclusion (Argonne Nat. Lab. 1979).
Nitrate levels in topsoil at the Indian Head Mine increased from 4 ppm
after 10 months of storage to 12 ppm after 40 months.
For the same
time period organic N, a component of organic matter, dropped from
slightly above 0.2 percent to slightly above 0.1 percent.
Though NOg-N was adequate to meet plant needs during the first
growing season,
this may not be the case in subsequent years.
uptake and leaching reduced
growing season.
Plant
NOg-N levels in the soil during the first
Nitrate levels in the upper 30 cm of the soil profile
ranged from 3.9 to 6.8 ppm during October, 1982 (Table 18), compared
to 7.4 to 8.2 ppm in October, 1981 (Table 5).
Nitrogen fertilization significantly affected the soil
NOg-N
content in the upper 15 cm in October, 1982 (Table 27, Appendix B).
Regression analyses evaluated the influence of N fertilization on soil
NOg-N content in a manner similar to that described for vegetational
data.
Nitrate levels were highest on plots fertilized with 0 and 56
kg N/ha, but depressed at the two intermediate rates (Figure 19).
Regression analyses conducted on soil
NOg-N content of the upper 15 cm
for Blocks I and 2 showed the same relationships between soil NOg-N
and N fertilization, but with a higher correlation (Figure 20).
Block
81
Figure 19. Mean soil NOg-N content in response to N fertilization,
0-15 cm, October, 1982.
0.003X
<
-0.137 X +
5.58
0.07
NITRATE (ppm)
®q. — 0 . 3 4
I---------------1-------------- \
NITROGEN RATE (kg/ha)
I
82
3 soil NOg-N content data showed responses similar to Blocks I and 2,
but with lower soil NOg=N contents (Figure 20).
Regression analyses
were not conducted on Block 3 data due to a lack of data points.
The
lower soil NOg-N content in Block 3 can be attributed to greater
levels of aerial biomass and canopy cover of vegetation in this block
when compared to Blocks I and 2.
The increased growth in Block 3 may
have been due to site characteristics and surface manipulation, rather
than fertilization.
The increased vegetational response in Block 3
appeared to lower soil NOg-N content by taking up greater quantities
of NOg-N from the soil.
Table 18. Mean soil NOu-N content by N fertilizer rate (ppm),
October, 198?
N level (ke/ha)
0
14
28
56
0-15 cm
15—RO cm
5.6
4.1
3.9
6.2
5.4
4.5
4.8
6.8
An interaction between levels of
account for the depression of soil
N/ha.
As discussed,
plant
classes.
N x P
N O g - N content at the 14 and 28 kg
P fertilization increased the growth of several
This increased
increased uptake of
N and P fertilization may
growth may have resulted
NOg-N by plants from the soil.
interaction and its effect on
in an
The existence of a
NOg-N content of the, soil can not
be determined without further analyses.
83
Figure 20. Soil NOg-N content in response to
Blocks I and 2, October, 1982.
KEY:
,
*
N fertilization,
N I T R A T E L EV EL S IN B L O C K S I AND 2
NITRATE LEVELS IN BLOCK 3
0.004X
p < 0 .0 1
0.86
NITRATE (ppm)
r eq.
NITROGEN RATE (kg/ha)
84
The ability of the mine soil to replenish the soil MOg-N pool may
be low=
Organic matter content of the mine soil generally remained
unchanged between October 1981 and 1982 (Tables 5 and 19), and was not
.significantly affected by N fertilization (Table 28, Appendix B).
As
previously noted, organic matter content of the cover-soil on the
study site was generally lower than that on rangeland soils of the
Colstrip area.
This.lower organic matter concentration indicated less
material available for conversion to NOg-N via mineralization.
As a
result, N deficiencies may occur at the study site as the soil NOg-N
pool becomes depleted.
Plots in which soil NOg-N was lowered by a
possible N x P interaction (as previously discussed), are likely to
show signs of N deficiencies earlier than the other study plots.
Table 19.
Mean percent soil organic matter content by N
fertilizer rate, October, 1982.
N level (kg/ha)
0
14
28
56
0-15 cm
0.88
0.86
0.92
0.88
15-30 cm
0.88
0.80
0.92
0.90
The use of soil material as cover-soil after prolonged storage in
stockpiles may have serious implications for the revegetation of mine
lands.
As indicated in this and the Indian Head Mine (Argonne Nat.
Lab. 1979) studies, prolonged storage in stockpiles decreases the
organic matter content of the cover-soil.
With reduced organic matter
content, the cover.soil may not be able to meet vegetational demands
for N,
and hence hinder plant community development and growth.
85
Though fertilization corrects nutrient deficiencies on a short term
basis, a buildup of sufficient soil organic reserves is needed to
maintain long term mine land productivity.
Omodt et al. (1975) noted
long periods of time and large amounts of nutrient imputs are needed
to raise organic matter contents in mine soils.
An alternative to the
use of long term stored cover-soil is to direct haul or stockpile
topsoil for minimal amounts of time.
The organic matter in direct
haul or short term stored topsoil does not tend to break down before
application on a mine site.
This material should contain higher
levels of organic matter with a greater mineralization potential than
long term stored cover-soil.
It remains to be seen whether or not organic matter content of
the cover-soil used on this study has been reduced to the point of
significantly affecting mineralization potential.
years'
Only subsequent
vegetation and soil sampling will provide information on the
progress of nitrogen cycling establishment on the study site.
Total N content of the study site soil in October 1982 is shown
in Table 20.
Nitrogen fertilization did not significantly affect
total N content of the soils (Table 29» Appendix B).
Table 21 lists
the C/N ratios determined from total N and organic matter content.
Nitrogen fertilization generally did not affect C/N ratios which were
similar to levels prior to fertilization.
86
Table 20. Mean soil total N content by N fertilizer rate ($), October,
1982.
M level (ka/ha)
0-15 cm
0
14
28
56
15-30 cm
0.05
0.04
0.04.
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.04
0.05
Table 21. Mean soil C/N ratio by.N fertilizer rate, October, 1982.
0-15 cm
W level (ka/ha)
0
14
28
56
I5—30 cm
10.2
12.5
13.3
10.2
10.2 .
9.3
13.3
10.4
Potassium
Potassium fertilization did not significantly affect response of
the plant classes tested in this study for the data parameters
analyzed (Tables 23, 24, and 25? Appendix B). The lack of vegetational
response to K fertilization indicated sufficient quantities
of
indigenous soil K to meet plant needs over the study site during the
first growing season.
Other research supported this conclusion.
Meyn
et al. (1975) reported K adequate to low in overburden at Colstrip.
In the Fort Union Formation only N and P are likely to be deficient
for
plant
growth
(Bauer
et al.
1978a).
Buchholz
(1972)
found
indigenous soil K adequate for the growth of thickspike wheatgrass
(Aeropyron dasvstachvum) on a site at Colstrip.
X '
87
Nutrient Interactions
Statis t i c a l
analyses
interaction and N x K x
indicated
time interaction affected density response of
annual forbs (Table 23» Appendix B).
significant,
a s ignificant N x P x K
Since no main effects were
the interactions were treated with caution... Fertilizer
treatment N28 Pl 12 K28 had the highest mean density for annual forbs
in July (Table 10). Mean density equaled 59.6 plants/m2 for this
treatment,
while it ranged from 25.2 to 41.9 plants/m2 for the other
treatments.
Russian thistle accounted for the increase in mean
density of annual forbs in treatment N 2 8 P 1 1 2 K28 during July (Table
31» Appendix C).
Experimental plots 15, 39, and 54 received the N28
Pl12 K28 fertilization treatment.
Data indicated Plot 54 had higher
densities for Russian thistle than the other two plots.
located in a depression on the study site.
areas
drained
and. temporarily
precipitation events.
ponded
Plot 54 was
Runoff from surrounding
in Plot
54
during
heavy
The increased runoff into Plot 54 probably
increased the soil water content of the plot, and allowed a larger
number of Russian thistle plants to establish.
Apparently,
the soil
moisture content of Plot 54, rather than fertilization resulted in the
significant interactions.
Significant interactions between N x P x K, and K x time existed
for density data of legumes (Table 23, Appendix B).
Fertilization
treatment NI4 PO KO had the highest mean density during both May and
July, (Table 13).
and
82.6
Mean density oif treatment N14 PO KO equaled 80.6
plants/m2
for
May
and
July
respectively.
The
other
treatments ranged in mean density from 31.1 to 56.1 plants/m2 in May,
88
and 31.1 to 67*8 plants/m2 in July.
Experimental plots in which
treatment NI4 PO KQ was applied, did not visibly differ from other
plots on the study.
No explanation existed for the significant
interactions that occurred for legumes.
These results for density
data of legumes should be treated with caution, since no main effects
proved significant.
Adequacy of regression models
The regression models significantly fitted for various plant
classes on the basis of density, aerial biomass, canopy cover, and for
post fertilization soil analyses are inadequate as predictive models
(Figures 6 to 15, 18 to 20).
Reasons for inadequacy in the regression
models included lack of data points and high variability in the data.
A large gap existed between the 0 and 112 kg P/ha fertilization rates.
If P had been applied at rates between 0 and 112 kg P/ha,
regression
fit
determination,
may
have
been
w h i c h . ranged
better.
from
The
0.23
to
the
c o e f f icients
0.85*
of
indicated
fertilization accounted for only a small to moderate amount of the
variation in the data.
Much of the unaccounted variation may be
attributed to differences within blocks caused by differences in soil
properties
micro-climate,
non-significant
effects
fertilization on vegetation, and lack of replications.
of
N
and
K
In particular,
the nature of the cover-soil may have caused within block variation.
As discussed,
pre-mine topsoil and subsoil were not thoroughly mixed
during cover-soil handling operations.
The pre-mine topsoil was
scattered in pockets throughout the study site soil, and may have
89
differed considerably from the subsoil material in nutrient status.
This
difference
in nutrient
supplying
ability
may
have
caused
differences in plant response within short distances on the study
site.
The small coefficients of determination pose no problems in
interpreting results of this study.
Statistically, the lack of fit
test indicated the regression models’ appropriateness for defining the
relationship between fertilization and vegetational response.
The
purpose of regression analyses in this study was to clarify trends
caused by fertilization, rather than to create predictive models.
Despite high variability unaccounted for by fertilization treatment,
the regression models illustrated observable general trends that
existed in the field.
90
RECOMMENDATIONS
Concrete recommendations concerning fertilization could not be
made on the basis of this study for several reasons.
The data
analyzed on this study constituted only one growing season.
Data from
subsequent growing seasons will be needed in order to effectively make
recommendations.
DePuit and Coenenberg (1979) noted considerable
differences in vegetational response to fertilization between the
first and subsequent growing seasons.
In light of this information,
vegetational response on the present study site could differ in
following growing seasons.
Montana State University's Reclamation
Research Unit plans to continue monitoring this study in subsequent
growing seasons.
Another
factor
limited
the
ability
to
m ake
concrete
recommendations concerning fertilization of mine land at Colstrip.
Phosphorus
was
applied
by broadcast
incorporated into the soil.
methods rather
Phosphorus is ain
than being
immobile element and
/
will not readily leach into the soil when applied on the surface.
A
leaching study found surface applied triple superphosphate (0-45-0)
did not move below a depth of 10 cm, with the majority of extractable
P located between 0 and 2.5 cm of the surface (Bjornson and Sims
1971).
Incorporation mixes P fertilizer into the root zone, allowing
greater potential contact of P with plant.roots.
Vegetation utilizes
incorporated P more effectively than broadcast applied P.
crops,
In forage
twice as much P applied by broadcasting was needed to achieve
the same vegetational responses from incorporation (Tisdale and Nelson
91
1975).
The difference between broadcast and incorporation application
methods of P could
i n f luence
fertilization recommendations.
Incorporation of P is more economical than broadcast application due
to a smaller amount of fertilizer material needed to achieve similar
vegetational responses in the same growing season.
information in the
literature
conc e r n i n g
The lack of
equilibration
of P
fertilization by broadcasting with incorporation methods, limited the
ability to apply the' results of this study to native plant species on
coal mine land.
In order to determine the levels of P applied by
incorporation for adequate establishment of native species on mine
land, additional research is needed.
Based on first year growing season data,
indigenous
NOg-N should not be fertilized with N.
mine soils high in
In this study,
NOg-
N content of the soil prior to fertilization was above 7.0 ppm for the
upper 30 cm of the soil profile.
Nitrogen fertilization in this study
did not significantly affect vegetational response for the parameters
measured.
In contrast, DePuit and Coenenberg (1979) noted a one time
application of 37 kg N/ha with 37 kg P/ha produced better vegetational
establishment (of a native and introduced species mixture) than no
fertilization on Colstrip mine soils averaging 2.2 ppm NO^-N.
and Coenenberg’s results,
study,
interpreted in conjunction with the current
imply that light applications of N may be beneficial when
indigenous soil NOg-N levels are below 7 ppm.
soil
DePuit
An exact indigenous
N O g - N level at which N should be applied can not be determined.
Variation in vegetational response to N fertilization caused by
differences among sites for soil properties,
microclimate,
and
92
topography; and differences in yearly climatic conditions limits the
ability to set a threshold level of soil NOg-N.
Long term, careful
observations over a number of years and variety of site conditions
should provide the background for predicting soil NOg-N contents at
which N fertilization is necessary.
Based on first growing season data cover-soiled, regraded mine
spoils at Colstrip should not be fertilized with P.
Phosphorus
fertilization adversely affected the establishment of the native plant
community in this study by decreasing the density, aerial biomass,
canopy cover, and frequency of warm season grasses.
In addition P
fertilization reduced aerial biomass and canopy cover of legumes at
112 kg P/ha.
The revegetation goal at Colstrip is the establishment
of diverse, predominantly native plant communities (Coenenberg 1982).
Warm season grasses and legumes are important components of the plant
community, and any management practice which reduces these two plant
classes will decrease the diversity of the plant community.
Even without P fertilization, it is unlikely the seed mixture
used in this study will meet revegetation goals.
Despite warm season
grasses and canopy cover having their greatest aerial biomass and
canopy cover composition at O kg P/ha, these plant classes represented
only a small portion of the plant community (Figures 16 and 17).
Regardless of fertilization treatment, only a small number of biennial
forbs, perennial forbs, and shrubs established on the study site.
The
lack of warm season grasses, legumes, biennial forbs, perennial forbs,
and shrubs in the community may reduce the diversity of the community
below levels acceptable for revegetation goals.
93
Results of the present study may have application to a two phase
seeding revegetation
Colstrip.
strategy
currently
used
on
mine
soils
at
Two phase seeding involves initial seeding of hard to
establish warm season grasses, forbs, legumes, and shrubs followed a
year or two later with interseeding of cool season perennial grasses
(Coenenberg 1982).
Phosphorus fertilization may be inappropriate
initially due to negetative effects on the establishment of warm
season grasses and legumes.
If data from subsequent growing seasons
indicates P fertilization benefits plant community development and
diversity,
P application at time of cool season perennial grass
interseeding may be more appropriate.
Phosphorus and cool season
perennial grasses could be placed simultaneously into the soil with a
drill in alternating rows.
Warm season grasses may also be benefited
by this later fertilization.
Rehm et al.
(1972) noted H and P
fertilization increased yields of warm season grasses when applied two
years after establishment.
They also found later fertilization did
not adversely affect the botanical composition of warm season grasses
in relation to cool season perennial grasses if warm season grasses
initially dominated the community.
In two phase seeding, warm season
grasses should be one of the dominant plant classes after the first
seeding phase.
Based on first growing season data coversoiled, regraded mine
spoils at Colstrip should not be fertilized with K.
Potassium
fertilization did not significantly affect vegetational response for
any of the parameters measured.
94
SUMMARY
This study tested the effects of M, P, and K fertilization on the
initial establishment of a diverse native species seed mixture on
coversoiled, regraded mine spoils at Colstrip, Montana,
Experimental
plots were established and seeded in the late fall of 1981,
f ertilized in the spring of I982.
rates of nitrogen (0,
14,
28,
and
Fertilization consisted of four
and 56 kg N/ha),
three rates
of
phosphorus (0, 112, and 168 kg P/ha), and two rates of potassium (0
and 28 kg K/ha) in complete factorial combination for a total of
twenty-four
treatment combinations.
A randomized block design
replicated the treatments three times.
Density, aerial biomass, and
canopy cover were estimated by plant class and species during the
first
growing
season.
Frequency
of
plant
species,
diversity,
evenness, and richness were calculated from the canopy cover data for
each fertilization treatment..
prior to fertilization,
Baseline soil analyses were conducted
arid selected soil parameters analyzed at the
end of the first growing season.
The density, aerial biomass, canopy
cover, and post fertilization soil data were statistically analyzed.
P hosphorus
fertilization
vegetational responses.
created
the
only
significant
Lack of vegetational response to N and K
fertilization was attributed to the presence of sufficient indigenous
soil
NOg-N and K to meet first year vegetation needs.
Post fertilization soil analysis indicated that the level of soil
NOg-N
was
affected
by
rate
interactive effects from P.
of N fertilization with possible
Soil N 03 =N levels were reduced on some
95
treatments to levels at which signficant differences in vegetations!
response to N fertilization may occur in subsequent growing seasons.
Significant differences in vegetational response due to P can be
expected to continue.
Post fertilization soil analyses indicated P
fertilization significantly increased level of extractable P in the
soil.
This increase in P is expected to be available to plants in
subse q u e n t
growing
seasons.
No
s ignificant
vegetational response due to K f e r t i l i z a t i o n
differences
should
occur
in
in
subsequent growing seasons based on results of other studies conducted
at Colstrip.
Except
for
warm
season
grasses,
fertilization
did not
significantly affect density of the plant classes studied during the
first growing season.
Phosphorus fertilization reduced density of
warm season grasses significantly possibly by increasing
competition
from other plant classes.
Phosphorus fertilization significantly affected aerial biomass
response of warm season grasses, annual grasses, legumes, and total
vegetation.
Phosphorus fertilization also affected Russian thistle
response, but inadequate sampling prevented detection of significance.
Phosphorus fertilization tended to increase the aerial biomass of
annual
grasses,
decreasing
warm
Russian
thistle,
season grasses.
and
total
vegetation,
Fertilization at
while
112 kg P/ha
decreased aerial biomass of legumes when compared to the 0 and 168 kg
P/ha rates.
Canopy cover data showed the same results as aerial biomass
except annual forbs were significantly increased by P fertilization.
96
Diversity, evenness, and richness appeared unaffected by fertilization
treatment.
In conclusion, the following recommendations were made oh the
basis of the first g r o w i n g
season v e g e t a t i o n
data and post
fertilization soil analyses.
1.
Under the conditions of this study,
N fertilization is not
necessary for vegetations! establishment during the first growing
season.
Generally,
mine soils with 7 ppm NOg-N or above
need not be
fertilized with N.
2.
Phosphorus fertilization should not be used on a diverse seed
mixture during the first growing season due to the adverse effects on
warm season grass and to an extent legume establishment.
3.
In a two phase seeding program,
P fertilization may be more
beneficial when applied one or two years after establishment of warm
season grasses.
Phosphorus could be applied simultaneously
with cool
season perennial grasses at time of interseeding.
4.
Potassium fertilization is not necessary for the establishment of
vegetation on mine soils at Colstrip.
APPENDICES
98
APPENDIX A
SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTION
I
I
I
99
Table 22. Soil profile description of the study site.
Soil Series: Cow Creek8
Classification: Typic Ustorthents, fine-loamy88, mixed (calcareous),
mesic.
Location: Rosebud County, MT. Colstrip. Western Energy Co. Rosebud
Mine, Area A, center of the NW1/4, SW1/4, S.33, T.2N. R.HIE.
Physiographic position: upland.
Topography: convex simple slopes, north aspect, 0-3%.
Drainage: moderately well drained, moderate permeability.
Erosion: uneroded.
Vegetation: Agroovron son.. Salsola kali, annual forbs, Bromus son.,
and Atriolex canescens.
Parent material: mine spoil and salvaged topsoil/subsoil.
Sampled bvs P. J. Hertzog, May 21, 1982.
Remarks: Mine spoils were covered with material during Fall 1981.
This material had been stockpiled in 1976 and consisted of
both topsoil and subsoil.
Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise indipated.
Al 0-93 cm (0-37 in.). Brown (IOYR 5/3) loam, light brown gray (2.5Y
6/2) dry; 30% IOYR 5/3 siltstone fragments possibly from
former Bt horizon; massive; slightly hard (dry), friable
(moist), slightly sticky and slightly plastic (wet);
strongly effervescent; with clear irregular contrasting
pockets of. former Al material comprising 18% of the
horizon, very dark gray brown (IOYR 3/2) loam, dark
gray brown to gray brown (2.5Y 4.5/2) dry; massive; hard
(dry), friable (moist), slightly sticky and slightly
plastic (wet); no effervescence; abrupt smooth boundary.
Cl 93-1IO+ cm (37-43+ in.). Gray brown (2.5Y 5/2) loam, light gray
brown to light gray (2.5Y 6.5/2) dry; 25% 2.5Y 7.5/2 soft
siltstone fragments with 7.5 YR 5/6 coating covering 0-50%.
of the fragment, 7% 7.5 YR 3/0 carbon fragments, 4% 7.5 YR
6/6 hard shale fragments, 1% 2.5 YR 6/4 soft sandstone
fragments; massive; soft (dry), very friable (moist),
slightly sticky and slightly plastic (wet); strongly
effervescent.
8Based on unofficial soil series from Schafer (1979).
89Siltstone fragments disregarded in soil family textural
determination, see Schafer (1979).
APPENDIX B
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLES
Table 23. Analysis of variance for density by plant class, May and July 1982
Source
Blocks
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
NxP
NxK
PxK
N x P x K
Error (1)a
df
2
I
2
I
6
3
2
6
46
CSPG"
9.28
1.78
25.09
76.27
160.68
118.20
5.96
65.28
74.96
WSG'
16.03*
5.48
33.84**
0.05
7.52
7.81
1.25
3.39
3.32
AG
21.12**
0.54
2.02
1.41
0.95
3.15
0.84
1.09
1.39
Time
N x T
PxT
K x T
N x P x T
N x K x T
P x K x T
N x P x K x
Error(2)b
I
3
2
I
6
3
2
T 6
48
154.94*
14.03
0.04
2.45
12.73
8.35
10.28
10.66
24.77
434.52**
3.65
22.56**
0.03
5.01
5.21
0.83
2.26
2.57
2.01
0.47
0.05
0.71
0.92
0.05
0.51
0.67
0.85
"CSPG = cool season grasses;
PF = perennial forbs; LEG =
grasses, July 1981.
•Includes Setaria viridis. a
•Significant at p<0.05
••Significant at p<0.01
^Derived from pooling sum of
bDerived from pooling sum of
Mean Square
AF
BF
50.21*
1.19"
0.29
0.13
0.11
0.19
5.21
0.05
21.81
0.15
5.14
0.01
23.41
0.05
29.29
0.33
11.81*
0.27
344.45**
6.95
5.18
12.10
3.34
12.16*
1.09
7.14
3.94
3.34**
0.03
0.01
0.01
0.11
0.05
0.05
0.18
0.13
PF
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.0
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
LEG
59.23
15.80
85.56
2.05
17.50
54.22
35.22
94.54*
38.58
SHRB
0.06
0.61
0.43
0.004
0.50
0.34
0.65
0.11
0.48
TOTVEG
43.91
26.97
289.68
83.33
335.09
393.12
27.09
328.39
246.79
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.0
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
6.55
0.94
6.52
42.37*
2.07
11.33
1.74
9.39
7.38
0.07
0.23
0.11
0.0
0.22
0.15
0.07
0.06
0.13
882.97**
48.69
62.57
86.81
15.45
72.37
19.84
47.98
70.18
WSG?
26.71
9.13
56.40**
0.08
12.53
13.02
2.08
5.65
5.53
WSG = warm season grasses; AG = annual grasses; BF = biennialforbs;
legumes; SHRB = shrubs; TOTVEG = total vegetation; WSG2 = warm season
warm season annual.
squares for all interactions with blocks, but without time.
squares for all interactions with blocks and time.
Table 24. Analysis of variance for aerial biomass by plant class/species, July 1982
Mean Square
Source
df
CSPG "
Blocks
2 1,814,890**
Nitrogen
3
3,492
Phosphorus
2
142,653
Potassium
I
NXP
WSG'
AG
476.22**
42,336
36.00
12,077
SAKA
96,178,156**
OF
836,762**
1,858,459
48,076
4,278,319
209,168
LEG
SHRB
2,068.06
552.17
5,669.11
73.98
12,311.76*
8.00
T0TVEG
138,024,304**
2,543,431
556.22**
155,782**
6,651
3.56
1,800
11,183,535
205,012
200.03
329.39
9,056,984
6
66,009
35.78
30,265
1,290,269
76,187
3,038.12
231.70
1,567,070
NXK
3
17,767
4.89
29,276
3,246,183
96,910
229.49
93.69
2,437,766
PXK
2
17,102
4.22
568
63,251
1,824
938.09
1.56
146,050
NXPXK
6
38,342
20.67
33,327
2,971,942
196,715
1,826.96
323.19
2,044,146
Error
46
53,621
36.69
26,484
4,347,685
130,083
3,754.71
190.83
2,371,979
9,283,989*
102
"CSPG - cool season perennial grasses; WSG * warm season grasses; AG = annual grasses; SAKA = Salsola kal i ;
OF = other forbs; LEG = legumes; SHRB = shrubs; TOTVEG = total vegetation.
'Includes Setaria vlridis. a warm season annual.
**Signifleant at p <0.01.
* Significant at p <0.05.
Table 25. Analysis of variance for canopy cover by plant class, July 1982
Source
Blocks
df
2
CSPG"
5,499.34«e
WSG •
55.33**
AG
1,159.74
Nitrogen
3
211.02
Phosphorus
2
1,937.93
Potassium
I
311.11
1.89
0.30
NxP
6
985.75
2.96
NxK
3
589.99
PxK
2
N x P x K
Error
3.46
222.21
Mean Square
AF
BF
58,628.78*» 46.69
2,687.75
2.13
PF
0.03
0.0
59.88
0.01
5,796.06
40.50
0.0
436.88
2,508.03
4.34
1.22
632.75
1,211.68
23.87
1.34
26.86
6
346.79
0.29
46
659.96
3.59
26.54”
1,446.53* 10,777.35#e
LEG
259.56
SHRB
2.11
TOTVEG
58,718.18»*
24.20
2.19
2,922.49
451.93* 1.13
23,364.76**
5.93
0.89
4,293.56
0.03
66.49
3.67
1,084.79
5.27
0.03
170.13
4.42
693.08
716.42
4.46
0.02
32.20
2.54
377.38
309.73
3,043.48
26.91
0.03
86.71
0.61
3,675.06
374.68
2,041.23
24.46
0.03
135.72
2.45
1,899.26
"CSPG = cool season grasses; WSG = warm season grasses; AG = annual grasses; BF = biennial forbs;
PF = perennial forbs; LEG = legumes; SHRB = shrubs; TOTVEG = total vegetation.
'Includes Setaria vlridis. a warm season annual.
•Significant at p<0.01
••Significant at p<0.05
104
Table
Table
26. Analysis of variance for extractable P content
October, 1982.
Source
df
Mean square
0-1*5 cm
Blocks
Ext. P
Error
2
2
6
482.200
67.23
27. Analysis
of variance for NOq-N content of
of
soils,
soils, October,
1982
Mean sauare
Source
df
Blocks
N03„n
Error
2
3
6
0-1*5
15-30 cm
am
3.283
1.956
3.927°
0.745
^Significant at p<0.05.
Table
28. Analysis of variance for organic matter content
October, 1982.
of
soils,
Mean square
Source
df
0-15 cm
15-30 cm
Blocks
NOg-N
Error
2
3
6
0.0019
0.0013
0.0088
0.0057
105
Table 29. Analysis of variance for total N content of soils,
October,
1982.
Mean sauare
Source
Blocks
NOg-M
Error
‘
df
0-15 cm
15-30 cm
2
3
6
0.00003
0.00003
0.00003
0.00006
106
APPENDIX C
VEGETATIONAL DATA BY PLANT SPECIES
Table 30. Mean plant species density (plants/m2) by fertilization treatment, May 1982.
Cool season perennial grasses:
Ware season grasses:*
Annual grasses:
Annual forbe:
Polygonum convolvulus
Salsola kali
succulent forb**
other forbs
Biennial forbs:
Tragopogon dublus
Perennial forbs:*
Legumes:
Aatragalua clcer
Melllotus officinalis
Atrlplex canescens
S
S
5
$
I
I
S
I
S
$
S
S
I
100.0 105.6
S
a
E
I
I
5
a
S
I
S
2
£
S
S' 5
2
I
E
80.0
81.6
95.6 103.9 103.3
77.2
£
95.0
95.5
83.9
69.5
S
E
S
90.0
E
S
2
S
I
98.4 106.7
2
S
a
2
E
£
£
S
£
$
89.4
81.7
94.4 115.5
g
S
£
g
E
£
S
£
Z
S
88.9
63.3
E
£
I
S
E
E
£
£
£
90.6 100.6 138.3
4.4
1.1
2.2
2.8
0.0
2.8
2.2
1.1
3.3
0.0
4.4
2.8
0.6
2.8
1.1
5.0
4.4
1.7
1.1
0.6
5.6
3.9
2.8
0.6
2.8
1.7
0.6
0.6
1.1
1.7
2.2
0.6
3.3
2.8
1.1
0.0
0.6
2.2
1.1
2.2
0.6
1.1
0.6
2.2
0.6
5.6
0.0
0,6
3.3
0.6
0.0
2.2
0.0
2.8
15.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
1.1
21.1
0.0
0.0
6.7
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
1.7
20.0
0.6
0.6
2.2
1.7
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.0
0.6
12.2
2.2
1.1
0.0
1.1
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.6
0.0
17.2
0.0
0.6
2.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
17.2
0.0
0.6
0.6
2.2
0.0
1.1
1.1
0.6
1.1
38.3
0.0
0.0
1.7
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
1.1
11.1
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.0
2.2
13.9
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
3.9
20.0
0.0
0.6
0.6
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
20.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.6
11.1
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.7
17.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
2.8
1.1
1.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
25.0
0.0
1.7
1.1
1.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
14.4
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
21.7
0.0
0.0
0.6
1.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.3
23.9
0.0
1.1
1.7
1.1
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
1.7
17.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
1.7
22.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
25.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
10.6
0.0
0.0
0.6
1.7
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.6
17.2
0.0
0.0
0.6
3.9
0.0
0.0
1.7
0.0
0.6
21.1
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
0.6
0.0
1.1
50.6
5.0
45.0
0.6
52.2
1.1
42.8
1.7
44.4
2.2
41.7
3.3
42.8
2.2
51.1
4.4
36.1
1.1
43.3
0.0
32.2
0.6
39.4
5.6
42.8
1.7
40.0
1.7
37.8
3.3
31.7
1.7
50.6
1.7
46.7
1.7
78.9
1.7
30.0
2.2
28.9
2.2
50.6
1.1
55.6
0.6
45.0
1.7
2.8
0.6
2.8
1.7
2.8
2.8
2.2
3.3
1.1
1.7
0.6
2.8
2.2
3.9
0.0
1.1
3.3
2.8
1.7
0.6
3.9
2.8
1.1
1.1
2.8
* Mo emergence observed for these plant classes.
** Unidentified forb, succulent in appearence
Jl
0.6
Table 31. Mean plant species density (plants/m^) by fertilization treatment, July 1982.
3
5
Cool season perennial grasses:
Agropyroo dasystachyue
A. smlthli
2
E 3
!
E s
5
3
3
£
S
S
EsE
£
2
£
£
£
68. I 61.9 55.9 77.8 69.6 54.8 41.5 62.6 63.3 49.6 47.0 51.9 59.3 81.9 46.3 61.1 67.8 69.6 91.9 69.3
26.7 22.2 17.8 15.9 21.1 25.9 11.9 14.8 23.0 13.3 22.2 24.1 29.6 24.1 22.2 26.7 7.8 10.4 11.5 14.8
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3.3 0.7 0.0 2.2 1.1 2.2 0.7 1.1 0.4 0.4 4.4 1.5 1.5 0.7 1.9 4.8 4.8 0.7 1.5 2.6
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2.2 0.7 1.1 2.2 2.2 1.1 1.9 1.1 1.1 1.1 2.2 1.9 0.0 1.1 5.2 1.9 0.7 1.1 1.1 0.4
11.9 14.1 5.2 10.4 13.3 11.1 1.5 5.6 5.9 3.7 23.7 8.5 8.5 11.1 8.9 17.4 22.2 19.3 29.3 18.9
A. trachycaulue
A. trichopliorum
Broisue lneneis
Hordeua lubatua
Stlpa vlridula
Wara season grasses:*
Annual grasses:
Aveaa fatua
Bromus laponlcus
B- tacCorua
Annual forbs:
Amaranchus sp.
Casielina alcrocarpa
Chenopodlua album
C. Ieptophyllua
Descurainia plnnata
D. sophia
Elllsia nyctclea
Bellanthua annuus
H. petlolaris
Kochla scoparla
Lappula redovskiI
Polygonum aviculare
P. convolvulus
P raaofllssiaua
Saleola kail
Slsyabrlua altisslaum
Solanum trIflorum
Vaccarla segetaJ-ls
Xanthlum Btruiaarlum
other annual forbs
Biennial forbs:
Lactuca aerrlola
Tragopogon dublua
Perennial forbs:
Ambrosia psllostachya
Legumes:
Astragalus clcer
A. sp.
Melilotus officinalis
Petslosteum purpureum
Atrlplex caccKcens
1.5
* Include* Setarle vlrldia. a wan
3
0.0
5.2
0.4
0.0
0.7
0.0
0.0
1.1
1.5
0.0
4.8
0.4
0.0
1.1
1.1
0.0
0-4
0.0
0.0
1.5
0.7
0.0
4.1
2.2
0.0
3.0
1.9
0.0
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.4
0.0
0.0
5.9
0.7
0.0
4.1
1.5
0.4
5.2
0.0
0.4
1.9
0.0
0.0
3.0
0.7
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.4
5.2
0.4
0.0
0.4
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.4 0.7 0.7 2.2 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.9 0.7 0.4 0.0 1.5 0.7 1.5 2.6 0.0 1.1 3.3 1.1 0.4
0.0 0.7 0.4 1.1 0.0 0.4 0.4 1.5 0.4 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0
1.5 0.4 1.1 1.5 0.0 1.1 0.0 1.9 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.4 1.1 0.4 0.0 1.1 0.7 0.0
0.7 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.4 0.4
0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
5.2 2.2 3.3 3.7 3.3 4.1 4.8 4.4 4.1 4.1 1.9 3.3 3.0 5.2 5.2 2.6 2.6 7.8 6.3 1.1
0.4 0.0 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 1.1 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0
1.9 0.0 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 1.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.0
28.5 20.7 24.1 25.6 28.9 21.1 33.3 24.4 27.0 28.9 34.8 23.7 27.0 46.7 19.3 23.0 29.6 22.6 31.5 33.3
0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.4 0.4 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.7 1.9 1.5 1.1 0.4 2.6 0.7 0.7
0.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0
£
£
57.0 71.1 83.0 90.7
10.4 11.1 7.0 14.1
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1.9 2.6 0.4 3.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1.1 0.7 1.1 1.5
13.7 18.9 10.0 17.8
0.4
1.1
0.0
0.0
1.9
0.0
0.0
1.1
0.4
0.0
5.2
0.0
0.0 0.7 1.1 0.7
0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4
0.0 0.4 1.1 0.4
0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4.1 2.6 1.9 4.1
0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4
1.1 0.7 0.7 1.5
27.4 22.6 20.7 31.1
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.4 0.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2.2
0.7
0.4
0.0
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.0
0.4
0.4
1.1
0.0
0.7
1.1
0.7
1.5
0.7
0.4
0.4
0.7
0.0
0.4
1.5
1.1
0.7
1.1
0.7
0.7
1.1
0.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.4
2.2
0.0
0.7
0.7
0.0
0.0
2.2
0.7
2.2
0.4
1.5
0.4
1.1
1.1
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0 . 0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
48.5
0.0
6.7
4.4
0.0
1.1
3.7
0.0
2.6
3.3
0.0
0.7
4.1
0.0
1.9
3.3
0.0
2.2
4.8
0.4
3.7
1.5
0.0
4.8
3.0
0.0
2.6
3.7
0.0
1.5
6.3
0.0
1.9
4.1
0.4
6.3
4.4
0.0
1.9
1.5
0.0
1.9
4.1
0.0
3.0
3.7
0.0 0.0
1.9 1.1
3.7 11.5
0.0 0.0
1.9 1.1
4.1 11.1
0.0
1.1
5.2
0.0
1.5
3.0
0.0
1.9
6.7
0.0
1.5
4.8
0.0
3.0
5.2
1.1
4.4
3.7
1.9
3.3
1.9
1.1
2.2
1.1
0.4
2.6
2.2
3.7
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.9
1.1
3.0
1.5
Table 32. Mean canopy cover of plant species by fertilization treatment, July 1982
Plant class/specIes
Cool season perennial grasses:
Agropyron dasystachyua
A. ealthll
Stipa virldula
Warm season grasses:*
Annual grasses:
B. tectorus
Cbenopodium album
C. Ieptophyllua
Deacuralttia plimata
D. sophla
Ulisla nyctelea
Hellanthuc eraiuus
H. patlolarla
Kochla scoparla
Lappula redovskl
Polygonua aviculare
P. convolvulus
P. raaoslselaua
Salsola kail
Slsyabrlus alliesImum
Solanuo trIflorxua
Vaccarla segetalls
Xanthlua Btrusariun
Biennial forbs:
Lactuca eerrlola
Tragopogon dublus
Perennial forba:
Ambrosia patiostachya
Taraxacum officinale
Legumes:
Petalosteus purpureua
Atriplex canescens
S
S
S
$
S
S
S
5
S
2
S
a
I
I
I
I
S
i
I
i
S
IS.2 12.8 12.2 13.7
13.3 11.8
0.0 0.0
0.7 1.1
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.6 0.0
0.6 0.3
1.1 1.0
0.0
6.9
1.5
O.Q
1.7
0.2
5.3
0.0
0.9
0.0
0.1
1.0
0.5
0.6
3.5
0.0
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.1
1.0
1.0
0.3
2.2
5.0
0.7
9.0
0.4
S
g
11.3 15.0 11.0 12.2 14.4
5.3 11.8 3.9 6.8 7.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.8 0.2 0.6 1.1 0.2
0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.7
0.6 1.2 0.0 0.5 0.7
0.0
5.5
0.8
0.0
6.0
0.1
1.4 2.1
7.5 10.9
2.7 2.6
0.1
9.5
1.7
a
$
S
a
S
g
3
I
i
2
S
9.9 12.0 15.2 13.4
4.6 5.9 9.6 10.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0
1.3 1.5 1.6 1.3
0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.8 0.5 0.0
0.6 1.2 1.2 0.7
0.0
5.0
0.0
0.1
0.7
0.0
a
i
S
3
S
a
1.5
6.1
0.1
S
S
S
£
£
£
£
S
a
i
£
$
£
S
S
8.3
4.0
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
1.4
7.9
3.7
0.0
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
1.3
9.0 12.6 11.9 11.6 13.2 14.3
5.6 6.1 5.6 4.3 4.7 7.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.4 1.2 1.9 0.4 0.5 0.7
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.1 2.0 0.2 0.3 0.5
1.9 1.8 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.8
0.1
2.8
2.0
0.3
3.3
0.6
0.1
3.2
0.0
16.4 8.6 11.6
9.4 10.3 8.9
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.3 0.6 2.7
0.0 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.6 1.5 0.5
0.7 0.8 0.8
1.3 0.0 0.0
6.9 10.6 10.1
3.2 2.7 0.0
a
3
0.0
5.1
0.0
S
I
0.0
1.9
0.0
1.7
1.1
0.0
S
0.0
2.9
0.1
0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3
0.2 0.1 0.3 1.0 0.0 1.0 1.9 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.1 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.0 0.7 1.8 0.2 2.2 0.6 1.5 2.2 1.0 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.4 2.2 0.0 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
11.0 12.3 17.2 10.5 16.3 10.7 10.6 10.9 14.8 11.9 10.6 8.2 10.1 10.5 11.6 8.5 8.6 17.5 8.5 13.0 10.4 5.7
0.1 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
2.0 0.3 4.7 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.0 2.2 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.3 0 6 0.7 0.6 2.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.6 0.2
SI. 3 72.8 76.5 66.8 72.8 61.3 86.4 66.5 75.6 74.7 69.3 63.2 60.6 65.6 76.7 74.7 72.5 53.2 60.6 59.6 66.1 50.9
0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.6
2.2
0.4
a
E
S
0.0
7.7
0.3
0.2 0.3
0.0 1.5
0.5 0.1
0.2 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.3 0.2
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
8.3 9.0
0.0 0.2
0.4 2.4
63.8 61.9
0.0 0.0
0.1 0.2
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.6
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.2
0.1
0.4
1.3
1.0
0.4
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.6
0.2
0.4
0.0
0.1
0.3
0.7
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.5
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.8
0.4
0.9
0.6
1.4
0.1
0.0
1.6
0.9
0.6
0.3
0.7
0.7
0.2
2.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1 . 0.0
0.0 0.0
0.0
0.0
O-O
0.0
0.0
0O-0O
2.2
0.0
0.6
0.4
3.2
0.0
4.6
0.9
3.0
0.1
1.4
0.2
4.1
0.0
1.4
0.3
3.3
0.0
0.9
0.4
2.8
0.0
0.3
0.6
2.9
0.0
1.9
0.6
3.2
0.0
1.7
0.6
3.4
0.0
0.7
0.4
2.5
0.0
0.7
0.6
2.3
0.0
2.3
0.4
3.2
0.0
0.5
0.2
5.6
0.0
0.3
0.6
3.0
0.0
0.6
0.5
8.3
0.0
0.7
0.9
4.0
0.0
1.2
5.5
6.9
4.9
9.1
1.0
0.6
0.5
0.9
0.6
0.3
0.3
0.7
4.0
0.0
2.9
0.6
0.4
4.1
0.0
0.5
0.2
0.5
4.1
0.0
0.4
0.5
0.9
2.6
0.0
0.5
0.6
VS
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.1
0.9
0.6
1.1
0.7
1.0
1.0
0.3
* Includes Setaria Tlrldis. a warm season annual.
I
I
Table 33. Percent frequency of plant species by fertilization treatment, July 1982
S
I
Plant clase/specles
Cool
season
perennial
trachycaulua
A.
trlchopborue
Broaus
lnerals
Hordeun Jubatua
Stlpa
vlrldula
W a n e season grasses:*
Annual
Eatua
Brotsos
Iepoolcus
8
S
8
2
I
I
z
I
a
I
a
2
2
8
z
S
;
5
96.3
81.5
3.7
14.8
92.6 100.0
92.6 85.2
25.9
18.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
s
8
8
3
S
I
I
S
96.3
85.2
96.3
77.8
85.2
74.1
96.3
66.7
88.9
85.2
81.5
92.6 100.0 100.0
55.6 70.4 70.4
88.9
55.6
92.6
74.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
14.8
18.5
14.8
18.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
7.4
7.4
7.4
37.0
3.7
40.7
11.1
0.0
0.0
U.l
3.7
29.6
18.5
44.4
U . l
U.l
25.9
3.7
25.9
40.7
81.5
7.4
3.7
14.8
0.0
0.0
U.l
22.2
44.4
0.0
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
18.5
0.0
22.2
0.0
3.7
0.0
11.1
0.00 18.5
E
5 5
I I
E
I
E
8
Asaramhus
sp.
Caiaellna a l c r o c a r p a
C h e n o p o d Iua al b u m
Ieptophyllua
Deocuralnla
plnnaca
7.4
18.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
U.l
22.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.4
22.2
14.8
3.7
0.0
0.0
14.8
48.2
18.5
40.7
3.7
U.l
8
0.0
22.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
29.6
0.0
8
a
«
annuus
petlolarls
Kochla
ecoparla
L a p p u l a redovtfkl
Polygomus avlculare
P.
convolvulus
P.
raaoslsslaua
S a l sola kail
Sisyabrlua a l l lsolsum
Solanua
Vaccarla
Xanthlua
Biennial
trlflorua
segetalis
atrumarlua
Eorbs
Lsctuca
:
serrlola
T r a g o p o g o n d u b Ius
P e r e n n i a l Eor b * :
Aabrosla
pellostachya
Taraxacum officinale
Astragalus clear
Melllotue officinalis
Petaloeteum purpureua
Atriplex
canescene
* Includes Seierlm vlrldia.
7.4
7.4
7.4
18.5
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
66.7
3.7
14.8
3.7
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
40.7
7.4
0.0
3.7
0.0
7.4
7.4
0.0
0.0
7.4
40.7
7.4
29.6
7.4
29.6
3.7
7.4
0.0
22.2
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
44.4
7.4
3.7
7.4
7.4
14.8
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
55.6
7.4
3.7
3.7
18.5
0.0
0.0
7.4
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
$9.3
7.4
14.8
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
48.2
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.4
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
14 8
7.4
7.4
0.0
3.7
7.4
0.0
0.0
7.4
3.7
14.8
14.8
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
00
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
88.9
0.0
33.3
22.2
85.2
0.0
11.1
7.4
85.2
0.0
14.8
18.5
96.3
0.0
18.5
25.9
81.5
0.0
22.2
14.8
92.6
0.0
22.2
37.0
88.9
3.7
29.6
7.4
7.4
18.5
29.6
29.6
14.8
33.3
22.2
0.0
22.2
U.l
0.0
U .l
U.l
3.7
0.0
7.4
0.0
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
51.9
14.8
7.4
51.8
3.7
0.0
40.7 . 25.9
22.2
U . l
0.0
11.1
0.0
40.7
14.8
18.5
14.8
25.9
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
59.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
14.8
3.7
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
7.4
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
59.3
0.0
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
0.0
3.7
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
59.3
7.4
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
85.2
74.1
92.6
77.8
852
0.0
0.0
0.0
22.2
0.0
0.0
11.1
3.7
avara season annual.
18.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
18.5
33.3
3.7
7.4
48.2
U.l
44.4
29.6
37.0
*0.7
33.3
0.0
22.2
22.2
29.6
3.7
0.0
22.2
0.0
3.7
29.6
3.7
3.7
25.9
7.4
3.7
25.9
14 8
0.0
3.7
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
11.1
22.2
0.0
11.1
22.2
11.1
14.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
3.7
7.4
3.7
11.1
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.4
14.8
3.7
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
81.5
0.0
14.8
14.8
85.2
0.0
14.8
22.2
77.8
0.0
29.6
14.8
81.5
0.0
18.5
7.4
96.3
0.0
22.2
85.2
0.0
44.4
25.9
3.7
22.2
25.9
33.3
14.8
18.5
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
81.5
0.0
37.0
85.2
0.0
11.1
25.9
81.5
0.0
18.5
U .l
81.5
0.0
29.6
14.8
25.9
22.2
11.1
3.7
18.5
7.4
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
77.8
7.4
14.8
3.7
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
25.9
0.0
0.0
7.4
7.4
U. l
U . l
7.4
0.0
44.4
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
7.4
3.7
7.4
3.7
51.8
0.0
11.1
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
E
14.8
70.4
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
29.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
11.1
3.7
0.0
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
96.3
81.5
0.0
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
11.1
14.8
0.0
*0.7
0.0
37.0
18.5
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
14.8
3.7
0.0
0.0
85.2
0.0
t4.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
74.1
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
37.0
40.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.4
14.8
3.7
0.0
18.5
3.7
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
25.9
63.0
0.0
18.5
18.5
96.3
0.0
22.2
37.0
85.2
0.0
22.2
11.1
29.6
22.2
U.l
3.7
0.0
3.7
3.7
0.0
7.4
22.2
7.4
3.7
U. l
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
0.0
96.3
63.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
U.l
7.4
3.7
11.1
96.3
63.0
0.0
14.8
3.7
0.0
3.7
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
3.7
55.6
7.4
7.4
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
40.7
7.4
92.6
70.4
0.0
0.0
S
0.0
96.3
63.0
96.3
59.3
S
29.6
25.9
S
0.0
S
0.0
0.0
s
77.8
74.1
5
3.7
14.8
29.6
Z
S
E
I
5
E
44.4
37
8
E
%
S
44.4
£
E
8
S
E
3.7
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
51.8
7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4
3.7
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
55.6
3.7
2.4
0.0
3.7
0.0 U . l
U.l
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
U.l
0.0
59.3
25.9
3
£
s
5
5
U .l
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
3.7
0.0
3.7
7.4
7.4
0.0
U.l
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
18.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
18.5
55.6
0.0
55.6
3.7
U .l
7.4
3.7
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
7.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
37.0
3.7
7.4
40.7
14.8
14.8
7.4
7.4
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
88.9
0.0
29.6
29.6
85.2
0.0
29.6
18.5
74.1
0.0
18.5
29.6
92.6
0.0
29.6
22.2
11.1
14.8
25.9
U .l
0.0
3.7
7.4
96.3 100.0 100.0 100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
U.l
55.6
7.4
14.8
100.0
0.0
7.4
0.0
0.0
110
Elllela nyctelea
Helianthus
37.0
7.4
B- t e c t o r u a
Annual Eorbs:
H.
a
grasses:
Aveua
C.
5
grasses:
Agropyron daaystachyua
A. s a l t h l l
A.
a
S
LITERATURE CITED
112
LITERATURE CITED
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1977. Progress report, research on
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Can soil
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1979.
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Agron. J. . 56:432-435.
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Correction of
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Response o f native species to variable n
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