Competition for soil nitrate and invasive weed resistance of three shrub-steppe growth forms

Abstract

Determining mechanisms responsible for weed resistance and invasion success are two issues that have potential in aiding successful land management decisions. The first experiment evaluates the competitive effects of an invasive annual grass downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), an invasive biennial forb dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria L.), and a reclamation shrub prostrate kochia (Kochia prostrata [L.] Schrad.) on nitrate acquisition, shoot and root growth, leaf carbon: nitrogen ratio, and leaf N of a perennial grass crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum [L.] Gaertner x A. desertorum [Fisch. ex Link] Schultes), a native forb western yarrow (Achillea lanulosa Nutt.), and a native shrub big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var.wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] Welsh).

Citation

Leonard, Eamonn D. 2007. Competition for soil nitrate and invasive weed resistance of three shrub-steppe growth forms. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 78 p. Thesis.