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Publication Date
1981
Description
Native and introduced grasses are difficult to establish in the southern Great Plains. Seedling establishment is often prevented by rapid drying of the surface 2 or 3 cm of soil, in which most grass seeds are planted. Three new or nontraditional methods of avoiding the problem in establishing grass were studied. The first method was punch planting, in which the seeds were placed in the bottom of a deep open hole where the soil remained wet longer than surface soil. In the second method, the seeds were germinated before planting; thus, they emerged quickly to avoid the rapid drying of the surface soil layers. The third method was transplanting live plants that were grown and transported in plastic bandoleer strips. When the soil surface was kept wet there was little difference in seedling emergence between punch planting and conventional planting; when conditions were dry, substantially more plants were established by punch planting. Seeds germinated before planting produced significantly more seedlings than conventional planting. Seedlings grown in the bandoleers and transplanted to the field produced very satisfactory grass stands. Planting germinated seeds may be the easiest and most economical method to use in the field. With the development of appropriate machinery, the bandoleer transplant method may become economical for grasslands. Punch planting is limited in field use by rainfall filling the open holes with soil and by the lack of satisfactory machinery for field planting. A significant improvement in the probability of success in grass establishment would make true range and pasture management more feasible in the southern Great Plains.
Citation
Hauser, V L., "New Methods for Establishing Grass in the Southern Great Plains" (1981). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 9.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1981/section9/9)
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New Methods for Establishing Grass in the Southern Great Plains
Native and introduced grasses are difficult to establish in the southern Great Plains. Seedling establishment is often prevented by rapid drying of the surface 2 or 3 cm of soil, in which most grass seeds are planted. Three new or nontraditional methods of avoiding the problem in establishing grass were studied. The first method was punch planting, in which the seeds were placed in the bottom of a deep open hole where the soil remained wet longer than surface soil. In the second method, the seeds were germinated before planting; thus, they emerged quickly to avoid the rapid drying of the surface soil layers. The third method was transplanting live plants that were grown and transported in plastic bandoleer strips. When the soil surface was kept wet there was little difference in seedling emergence between punch planting and conventional planting; when conditions were dry, substantially more plants were established by punch planting. Seeds germinated before planting produced significantly more seedlings than conventional planting. Seedlings grown in the bandoleers and transplanted to the field produced very satisfactory grass stands. Planting germinated seeds may be the easiest and most economical method to use in the field. With the development of appropriate machinery, the bandoleer transplant method may become economical for grasslands. Punch planting is limited in field use by rainfall filling the open holes with soil and by the lack of satisfactory machinery for field planting. A significant improvement in the probability of success in grass establishment would make true range and pasture management more feasible in the southern Great Plains.
