Effects of nitrogen availability and cheatgrass competition on the establishment of Vavilov Siberian wheatgrass

Monica B. Mazzola; Kimberly G. Allcock; Jeanne C. Chambers; Robert R. Blank; Eugene W. Schupp; Paul S. Doescher; Robert S. Nowak

Treesearch

Effects of nitrogen availability and cheatgrass competition on the establishment of Vavilov Siberian wheatgrass

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Monica B. Mazzola, Kimberly G. Allcock, Jeanne C. Chambers, Robert R. Blank, Eugene W. Schupp, Paul S. Doescher, Robert S. Nowak

Year:

2008

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

Rangeland Ecology and Management. 61(5): 475-484.

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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.

Keywords

Bromus tectorum, invasion, nitrate, rangeland restoration, sagebrush steppe, sucrose addition

Citation

Mazzola, Monica B.; Allcock, Kimberly G.; Chambers, Jeanne C.; Blank, Robert R.; Schupp, Eugene W.; Doescher, Paul S.; Nowak, Robert S. 2008. Effects of nitrogen availability and cheatgrass competition on the establishment of Vavilov Siberian wheatgrass. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 61(5): 475-484.