Understory Species Response to Utah Juniper Litter

• Published in: Journal of range management 2003-01, Vol.56 (1), p.68-71
• Main Authors: Chad S. Horman, Anderson, Val Jo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allelopathy; Antelopes; Pinyon juniper; Plant litter; Plant Physiology; Plants; Poultry litter; Range management; Seedling emergence; Seeds; Understory
• ISSN: 0022-409X
• DOI: 10.2307/4003884

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of litter leachate and litter depth of Utah juniper [Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little] on seedling emergence and emergence rate of 8 common herbaceous understory species. Species tested were: 'Secar' bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegnaria spicata (Pursh) A. Love], bottlebrush squirreltail [Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey], cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), 'Paiute' orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), 'Appar' Lewis flax (Linum lewisii Pursh), 'Delar' small burnet (Sanguisorba minor Scop.), antelope bitter-brush [Purhsia tridentata (Pursh) DC.], and mountain big sagebrush [Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana (Rydb.) J. Boivin]. Three water treatments (distilled water, 1%, and 10% litter leachates) and 3 litter depths (0, 3, and 5 cm) were tested. Leachates decreased seedling emergence of orchardgrass and small burnet. Emergence rate was unaffected by leachate treatments. Seedling emergence of all species tested decreased significantly with increasing litter depth. Emergence rate was initially slower in pots with litter, but after 2 weeks no differences were found. /// Se condujo un estudio de invernadero para determinar los efectos del lixiviado del mantillo y la profundidad del matillo de "Utah juniper" [Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little] en la emergencia de plántulas y la tasa de emergencia de 8 especies herbáceas comunes. Las especies evaluadas fueron: 'Secar' "Bluebunch wheatgrass" [Pseudoroegnaria spicata (Pursh) A. Love], "Bottlebrush squirreltail" [Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey], "Cheatgrass" (Bromus tectorum L.), 'Paiute' "Orchardgrass" (Dactylis glomerata L.), 'Appar' "Lewis flax" (Linum lewisii Pursh), 'Delar' "Small burnet" (Sanguisorba minor Scop.), "Antelope bitterbrush" [Purhsia tridentata (Pursh) DC.] y "Mountain big sagebrush" [Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana (Rydb.) J. Boivin]. Se probaron tres tratamientos de agua (agua destilada y lixiviados del mantillo al 1% y 10%) y tres profundidades de mantillo (0, 3 y 5 cm). Los lixiviados disminuyeron la emergencia de plántulas del "Orchardgrass" y "Small burnet". La tasa de emergencia no fue afectada por los tratamientos de lixiviado. La emergencia de plántulas de todas las especies disminuyo significativamente al incrementar la profundidad del mantillo. La tasa de emergencia inicialmente fue lenta en macetas con mantillo, pero después de dos semanas no se encontró diferencia.