Douglas S. Cram

New Mexico Blue Grama Rangeland Response to Dairy Manure Application

Abstract New Mexico supports over 290 000 dairy cattle. These cattle produce large quantities of manure. It has been suggested excess dairy manure could be applied to rangelands as an organic fertilizer to increase soil fertility and herbaceous production. Manure was applied June 2000 to a rangeland in New Mexico dominated by blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths) according to phosphorus (P) content: a recommended (light) rate (54 kg P·ha−1) to enhance blue grama growth and a gross overapplication (heavy) rate (493 kg P·ha−1) to determine their effects on vegetation. The actual application rate of manure on a dry weight basis was 0, 11 739, and 107 174 kg·ha−1. Four replications of control, light, and heavy rates were established. Herbaceous standing crop (kg·ha−1) was similar 1 growing season after manure application, and greater 2 and 3 growing seasons after application on the light treatment compared with the control. Initially the heavy treatment suppressed herbaceous standing crop; thereafter, standing crop responded in a linear fashion to rainfall. Three growing seasons after manure application, basal cover was similar between light and control treatments, whereas the heavy treatment continued to be characterized principally by manure/litter cover. Heavy disposal-oriented treatments are not suitable for blue grama rangelands because of persistent declines in herbaceous cover and changes in soil salinity. A light manure application rate that is based on P content can increase forb and in particular grass standing crop on arid blue grama rangelands. Successful rangeland manure applications will depend on proper management to insure objectives are met while minimizing any hazards to the environment.

OCCURRENCE OF SPROUTS AND SEEDLINGS OF PINYON PINES, ALLIGATOR JUNIPERS, AND GRAY OAKS FOLLOWING HARVEST OF FUELWOOD AND PRESCRIBED BURNING

Abstract Objectives were to determine number and height of sprouts and seedlings following clearcutting of a mesa dominated by pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) and alligator junipers (Juniperus deppeana) in southwestern New Mexico and to determine effects of prescribed burning for control of sprouts and seedlings. No stump of pinyon pine sprouted. Nearly 50% of stumps of alligator junipers sprouted with most occurring in plots with slash removed; the fewest and tallest sprouts occurred in plots with slash uniformly scattered following clearcutting. Nearly 25% of stumps of gray oaks (Quercus grisea) sprouted. Burning in the same year as clearcutting did not affect sprouting of gray oaks as much as other treatments. Not burning clearcuts and leaving slash scattered resulted in the fewest sprouts, and shortest sprouts of gray oaks occurred in plots with slash removed. Seedlings of pinyon pines, alligator junipers, and gray oaks were most prevalent in uncut control plots. Some seedlings of alligator junipers were in plots with slash scattered and removed, and few seedlings were in plots that were burned. Most seedlings of gray oaks were in uncut control plots and plots where slash was removed. Seedlings of pinyon pines grew tallest in plots with slash removed, seedlings of alligator junipers grew tallest in plots where slash was scattered, and seedlings of gray oaks grew tallest in all plots except the uncut control.