Effects of Nitrogen Availability and Cheatgrass Competition on the Establishment o Vavilov Siberan Wheatgrass

Authors

M. B. Mazzola
K. G. Allcock
J. C. Chambers
R. R. Blank
Eugene W. Schupp, Utah State UniversityFollow
P. S. Doescher
R. S. Nowak

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Rangeland Ecology and Management

Volume

61

Publication Date

2008

First Page

475

Last Page

484

Abstract

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) is the most widespread invasive weed in sagebrush ecosystems of North America. Restoration of perennial vegetation is difficult and land managers have often used introduced bunchgrasses to restore degraded sagebrush communities. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of 'Vavilov' Siberian wheatgrass (Agropyron fragile [Roth] P. Candargy) to establish on cheatgrass-dominated sites. We examined Vavilov establishment in response to different levels of soil nitrogen availability by adding sucrose to the soil to promote nitrogen (N) immobilization and examined cheatgrass competition by seeding different levels of cheatgrass.

Recommended Citation

Mazzola, M.B., K.G. Allcock‡, J.C. Chambers, R.R. Blank, E.W. Schupp, P.S. Doescher, and R.S. Nowak. 2008. Effects of nitrogen availability and cheatgrass competition on the establishment of Vavilov Siberan wheatgrass. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61: 475‐484.