Mesquite removal and mulching treatment impacts on herbage production and selected soil chemical properties

Abstract

Determining the effects of mesquite (Prosopis velutina) overstory removal, posttreatment control of sprouting, and mulching treatments on herbage production (standing biomass) and selected soil chemical properties on the Santa Rita Experimental Range were the objectives of this study. Mesquite control consisted of complete overstory removals with and without the control of the resulting regrowth of stump sprouts. The mulching treatments were applications of mesquite wood chips, commercial compost, and lopped-and-scattered mesquite branchwood. Herbage production was estimated in the spring and early fall to determine total annual production and the production of early growers and late growers. Mesquite removal resulted in increases in herbage production. Mesquite removal had no effect on the soil chemical properties considered. The mulching treatments did not have an affect on herbage production, although a few of the soil chemical properties were affected by some of the mulching treatments.

Parent Publication

• Santa Rita Experimental Range: 100 years (1903 to 2003) of accomplishments and contributions; conference proceedings; 2003 October 30-November 1; Tucson, AZ

Citation

Pease, Stacy; Ffolliott, Peter F.; DeBano, Leonard F.; Gottfried, Gerald J. 2003. Mesquite removal and mulching treatment impacts on herbage production and selected soil chemical properties. In: McClaran, Mitchel P.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Edminster, Carleton B., tech. coords. Santa Rita Experimental Range: 100 years (1903 to 2003) of accomplishments and contributions; conference proceedings; 2003 October 30-November 1; Tucson, AZ. Proc. RMRS-P-30. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 130-132.