Land Retirement Demonstration Project

THE SUCCESSION TRIAL

Overview

The Succession Trial was developed to examine differences in the dispersal and establishment of three different seed mixtures: 1) barley: 2) barley with native grasses; and, 3) the native seed mixture that had been used on the HRS plots. Two factors were examined: the ability of native grasses to become established when imprinted over an existing barley crop; and, the relative abilities of barley and imprinted native grasses to spread beyond the confines of the area in which they had been seeded.

The trial was installed on an approximately 32.4 ha (80 ac) area of the Tranquillity property. Fifteen plots (five replicates of three treatments) were delineated. Plot width for the barley monoculture was approximately 36.6 m (120 ft); plot width for the other two treatments was ca. 18.3 m (60 ft). Barley had previously been planted as a cover crop in this area in the fall of 2000, and had been thrashed and harrowed in 2001. This planting had provided sufficient seed such that the plots assigned to the barley monoculture did not require replanting. Plots assigned to the other two treatments were disked and imprinted with the appropriate seed mixture. Trial installation took place during February 13-15, 2002.

Because of the low rainfall that year and the relatively late seeding date, vegetation establishment was not sufficient to warrant monitoring of this trial. Although systematic sampling of the Succession Trial was never conducted, the trial area received periodic visits during the following growing season, during which time general observations were recorded.

Page created: March 1, 2005; Last updated: Dec. 20, 2005

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