Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T10:41:32.994Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Reducing Eragrostis lehmanniana populations by preparing seedbeds with unconventional tillage implements and seeding in a semiarid grassland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2020

Carlos Raúl Morales-Nieto
Affiliation:
Professor, Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Alan Álvarez-Holguín
Affiliation:
Researcher, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, La Campana Experimental Ranch, INIFAP-CIRNOC, Chihuahua, México
Eduardo Santellano-Estrada
Affiliation:
Professor, Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Federico Villarreal-Guerrero
Affiliation:
Professor, Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Raúl Corrales-Lerma*
Affiliation:
Professor, Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
*
Author for correspondence: Raúl Corrales-Lerma, Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México31453. (Email: [email protected])

Abstract

The invasion of Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees) in rangelands of Chihuahua, Mexico, has resulted in a need for revegetation to recover lost forage productivity. Thus, new knowledge on generating alternatives to improve these invaded grasslands is of great importance. This study evaluated seedbeds prepared with unconventional tillage implements and seeded with a grass mixture to reduce the plant density of E. lehmanniana while increasing the productivity of an invaded semiarid grassland of Chihuahua. The unconventional tillage implements were: a Rangeland Harrow, which was used to prepare the Striped Harrowing and Full Harrowing seedbeds; Rangeland Rehabilitator, which was used to prepare the Deep-Stingray Subsoiler seedbed; and a Tandem-type Aerator Roller, which was used to prepare the Double-Digging Aeration seedbed. An area without tillage was left as a control. The seed mixture was composed of blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths var. Hachita] (25%); sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. ‘6107 Kansas’] (25%); green sprangletop [Leptochloa dubia (Kunth) Nees var. Van Horn] (5%); weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees var. Ermelo] (40%), and Columbus grass [Sorghum almum Parodi] (5%). The experiment was conducted across 4 yr, and the evaluation started at the second year. Plant density and dry matter (DM) production were evaluated per species. In the control plot, the plant density of E. lehmanniana increased approximately 180% from the 2nd to the 4th year (18 to 50 plants m−2). The use of unconventional tillage implements for seedbed preparation and the inclusion of E. curvula in the seed mixture decreased E. lehmanniana density in more than 50% of plots and increased DM production in around 100% of plots. Considering the whole experimental period, in all the prepared seedbed treatments, E. curvula had the highest establishment and DM production of all the seeded species. The native species B. gracilis, B. curtipendula, and L. dubia had poor establishment in all the prepared seedbeds.

Type
Case Study
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Weed Science Society of America

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Associate Editor: Stephen F. Enloe, University of Florida

References

Abate, E, Hussein, S, Laing, M, Mengistu, F (2013) Quantitative responses of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] and weeping love grass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees] varieties to acid soil. Aust J Crop Sci 7:18541860 Google Scholar
Aguilar-Barojas, S (2005) Fórmulas para el cálculo de la muestra en investigaciones de salud. Rev Salud en Tabasco 11:333338 Google Scholar
Alpert, P (2006) The advantages and disadvantages of being introduced. Biol Invasions 8:15231534 10.1007/s10530-005-5844-zCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alzugaray, C, Vilche, MS, Petenello, C (2008) Deep tillage in the no-till system: effects on the biological condition of the soil. Cien Inv Agr 35:265276 Google Scholar
Américo, J, Hossne, G (2004) Las rastras a disco, características ingenieriles, agronómicas y sus implicaciones físicas en el nororiente de Venezuela. Rev UDO Agrícola 4:5365 Google Scholar
Bàrberi, P (2004) Métodos preventivos y culturales para el manejo de Malezas. http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5031s/y5031s0e.htm#TopOfPage. Accessed: June 17, 2019Google Scholar
Bavera, GA, Peñafort, CH (2005) Cursos de Producción Bovina de Carne. www.produccion-animal.com.ar. Accessed: June 13, 2019Google Scholar
Beltrán, LS, García, CA, Loredo, C, Urrutia, J, Hernández, JA, Gámez, HG (2018) “Llorón Imperial”, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad) Nees, variedad de pasto para zonas áridas y semiáridas. Rev Mex Cienc Pecu 9:400407 10.22319/rmcp.v9i2.4532CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beltrán, LS, Loredo, C, García, CA, Hernández, JA, Urrutia, JH, Gámez, HG, González, LA, Núñez, T (2009) Llorón imperial y garrapata Hércules, nuevas variedades de pastos para el altiplano de San Luis Potosí (Establecimiento y producción de semilla). Centro Experimental San Luis. SAGARPA-INIFAP. Folleto técnico 36:1–35Google Scholar
Bernau, RC, Sprinkle, J, Tanner, R, Kava, JA, Thiel, C, Prileson, V, Tolleson, D (2014) Twenty years after the Dude Fire: targeted cattle grazing of weeping lovegrass through the use of protein supplementation. Rangelands 36:521 10.2111/Rangelands-D-14-00013.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Biedenbender, SH, Roundy, BA (1996) Establishment of native semidesert grasses into existing stands of Eragrostis lehmanniana in southeastern Arizona. Restor Ecol 4:155162 10.1111/j.1526-100X.1996.tb00116.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bravo, EM, Sáenz, RJT, Barrera, CG, Medina, L, Mendoza, M, Prat, C, García, F (2011) Tecnologías agroecológicas para la restauración de suelos degradados en la subcuenca de Cointzio, Michoacán. SAGARPA-INIFAP. Folleto técnico 28:1–100Google Scholar
Butler, T, Stein, J, Pittman, J, Interrante, S (2016) Seed bed preparation and planting depth affect switchgrass establishment and yield. Crop Forage Turfgrass Manag 2:16 10.2134/cftm2016.0012CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carbajal-Morón, NA, Manzano, MG. Mata-González, R (2017) Soil hydrology and vegetation as impacted by goat grazing in Vertisols and Regosols in semiarid shrublands of northern Mexico. Rangeland J 39:363373 10.1071/RJ17061CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carrillo, SM, Arredondo, T, Huber-Sannwald, E, Flores, J (2009) Comparación en la germinación de semillas y crecimiento de plántulas entre gramíneas nativas y exóticas del pastizal semiárido. Téc Pecu Méx 47:299312 Google Scholar
Colom, MR. Vazzana, C (2002) Water stress effects on three cultivars of Eragrostis curvula . Ital J Agron 6:127132 Google Scholar
Corrales-Lerma, R, Morales-Nieto, CR, Melgoza, A, Sierra, JS, Gutiérrez, JA, Zamora, G (2016) Caracterización de variedades de pasto banderita [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] recomendadas para rehabilitación de pastizales. Rev Mex Cien Pecu 7:201211 10.22319/rmcp.v7i2.4174CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cox, JR, Giner-Mendoza, M, Dobrenz, AK (1992) Defoliation effects on resource allocation in Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica) and Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). J Grassl Soc South Afr 9:5359 10.1080/02566702.1992.9648300CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crider, FJ (1945) Three introduced lovegrasses for soil conservation. USDA Circular No. 730. Fort Collins, CO : U.S. Department of Agriculture 90 pGoogle Scholar
De los Ángeles, C, Vergara, C, Vargas, O (2002) Banco de semillas germinable de una comunidad vegetal de paramo húmedo sometida a quema y pastoreo (parque nacional natural Chingaza, Colombia). Ecotropicos 15:5160 Google Scholar
Esqueda, MH, Melgoza, A, Sosa, M, Carrillo, R, Jiménez, J (2005) Emergencia y sobrevivencia de gramíneas con diferentes secuencias de humedad/sequía en tres tipos desuelo. Téc Pecu Méx 43:101115 Google Scholar
Fierro, LC, Ibarra, F, Sierra, JS (1980) La Resiembra de Pastizales Fundamentos, Selección de Especies, Obras de Captación de Humedad y Preparación de Camas de Siembra. Serie Técnico Científica. INIP-SARH (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Pecuarias – Secretaría de Agricultura y Recursos Hidráulicos):1–46Google Scholar
Flanders, A, Kuvlesky, W, Ruthven, D, Zaiglin, R, Bingham, R, Fulbright, T, Hernández, F, Brennan, L (2006) Effects of invasive exotic grasses on South Texas rangeland breedeing birds. Auk 123:171182 10.1093/auk/123.1.171CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gang, C, Zhou, W, Chen, Y, Wang, Z, Sun, Z, Li, J, Odeh, I (2014) Quantitative assessment of the contributions of climate change and human activities on global grassland degradation. Environ Earth Sci 72:42734282 10.1007/s12665-014-3322-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
García-Serrano, H, Escarre, J, Garnier, E, Sans, XF (2005) A comparative growth analysis between alien invader and native Senecio species with distinct distribution ranges. Ecoscience 12:3543 10.2980/i1195-6860-12-1-35.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
González-García, H, Sánchez-Maldonado, A, Sánchez-Muñoz, AJ, Orozco-Erives, A, Castillo-Castillo, Y, Martínez-De la Rosa, R, González-Morita, JA (2017) Valor nutritivo del zacate rosado (Melinis repens) y del zacate africano (Eragrostis lehmanniana) en Chihuahua. Ciencia en la Frontera 15:714 Google Scholar
Gruver, J, Wander, M (2020) Use of Tillage in Organic Farming Systems: The Basics. https://eorganic.org/node/2428. Accessed: November 13, 2019Google Scholar
Guevara, JC, Estevez, OR, Stasi, CR (2007) Influencia de la introducción de Eragrostis lehmanniana sobre la comunidad de gramíneas en la Reserva de Ñacuñán (Mendoza, Argentina). Rev FCA UNCuyo 34:17 Google Scholar
Guevara, JC, Estevez, OR, Stasi, CR, Le Houérou, HN (2005) The role of weeping lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula, in the rehabilitation of deteriorated arid and semiarid rangelands in Argentina. Arid Land Res Manag 19:125146 10.1080/15324980590916530CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gutiérrez, GO, Morales, NCR, Villalobos, GJC, Ruíz, BO, Ortega, GJA, Palacio, JN (2019) Composición botánica y valor nutritivo de la dieta consumida por bovinos en un área invadida por pasto rosado [Melinis repens (willd.) Zizka]. Rev Mex Cienc Pecu 10:212226 Google Scholar
Hickman, KR, Farley, GH, Channell, R, Steier, JE (2006) Effects of Old-World bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) on food availability and avian community composition within the mixed-grass prairie. Southwest Nat 51:524530 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[IMTA] Instituto Mexicano de Tecnológica del Agua, [CONABIO] Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, [GECI] Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, Arid América, Nature Conservancy (2007) Especies invasoras de alto impacto a la biodiversidad. Prioridades en México. Ciudad de México: Ediciones San Martín. 73 pGoogle Scholar
James, JJ, Drenovsky, ER (2007) Basis for relative growth rate differences between native and invasive forb seedlings. Rangeland Ecol Manag 60:395400 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Knobloch, DA (2010) Seedbed conditioning vertical tillage apparatus US Patent 7,640,995 B2Google Scholar
Kukal, SS (2010) Soil engineering and technology. Pages 158184 in Verheye, WH, ed. Soils, Plant Growth and Crop Production. Vol 1. United Kingdom: EOLSS Publishers Google Scholar
Loredo, OC (2005) Prácticas para la conservación del suelo y agua en zonas áridas y semiáridas. INIFAP-CIRNE. Campo Exp. San Luis. Libro técnico 1:187 Google Scholar
Manzano, MG, Navar, J, Pando-Moreno, Martínez A (2000) Overgrazing and desertification in northern Mexico: highlights on northeastern region. Ann Arid Zone 39: 285304.Google Scholar
Martínez, O, Ruiz M de los, A, Babinec, FJ (2003) Implantación de gramíneas forrajeras perennes estivales de importancia para la región pampeana semiárida. E. E. A. INTA Anguil. La Pampa, Argentina: Facultad de Agronomía, UNL 2 p Google Scholar
Méndez, GJ, Návar, CJJ, González, OV (2008) Análisis de tendencias de precipitación (1920-2004) en México. Investigaciones Geográficas Boletín del Instituto de Geografía UNAM 65:3855 Google Scholar
Miller, D (2016) Agricultural undercut implements and methods. US Patent US 9.451,739 B2:1–9Google Scholar
Morales, NCR, Melgoza, CA, Esqueda, MH (1988) Patrones de crecimiento de cinco zacates forrajeros importantes en resiembras de pastizales . SOMMAP (Sociedad Mexicana de Manejo de Pastizales) 1:36 Google Scholar
Morales, NCR, Royo, MH, Lara, CR (2010) Guía técnica para la producción y cosecha de la semilla de pastos nativos en chihuahua. S.E. La Campana-Madera. INIFAP-SAGARPA. Folleto Técnico 29:133 Google Scholar
Moran, MS, Scott, RL, Hamerlynck, EP, Green, KN, Emmerich, WE, Collins, CDH (2009) Soil evaporation response to Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) invasion in a semiarid watershed. Agric For Meteorol 149:21332142 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moreno-Gómez, B, García-Moya, E, Rascón-Cruz, Q, Aguado-Santacruz, GA (2012) Growth and establishment of Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths and Eragrostis curvula var. conferta Stapf seedlings under a simulated rainfall regime. Rev Fitotec Mex 35:299308 Google Scholar
Murray, BR, Philips, ML (2010) Investment in seed dispersal structures is linked to invasiveness in exotic plant species of Southeastern Australia. Biol Invasions 12:22652275 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O’Mara, FP (2012) The role of grasslands in food security and climate change. Ann Bot 110:12631270 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Osorno, AV (2014) Review of the impacts generated by the competition between introduced and native plants as the basis for control of Ulex europaeus in the City of Bogota D.C. J Technol 13:108113 Google Scholar
Pinedo, AC, Hernández, QNS, Melgoza, CA, Rentería, VM., Vélez, SVC., Morales, NCR. Quintana RM, Santellano EE, Esparza VE (2013) Diagnóstico actual y sustentabilidad de los pastizales del estado de Chihuahua ante el cambio Climático. Cuerpo Académico de Recursos Naturales y Ecología (UACH-CA16). Chihuahua, México: Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. 138 pGoogle Scholar
Royo, MH, Lafón, A (2008) Descripción fisiográfica, diversidad vegetal y de vertebrados del rancho experimental La Campana. In Chávez AH, ed. Rancho experimental La Campana 50 años de investigación y transferencia de tecnología en pastizales y producción animal. Libro Técnico No. 2. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias-Centro de Investigación Regional Norte-Centro. Chihuahua, Chih, México: Eds Impresos Grafimagen. 213 pGoogle Scholar
Royo, MH, Melgoza, C (2001) Listado florístico del campo experimental La Campana y usos de su flora. Téc Pecu Méx 39:105125 Google Scholar
Royo, MH, Sierra, JS, Morales-Nieto, CR, Jurado, GP (2010) Prácticas de conservación y rehabilitación de agostaderos. S. E. La Campana-Madera. INIFAP-SAGARPA: Folleto Técnico 29:1–52Google Scholar
Sadeghpour, A, Hashemi, M, DaCosta, M, Jahanzad, E, Herbert, SJ (2014) Switchgrass establishment influenced by cover crop, tillage systems, and weed control. Bioenerg Res 7:14021410 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sánchez, AJ (2009) Invasive Lehmann Lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) in Chihuahua, Mexico: Consequences of Invasion. Ph.D dissertation. Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma State University. 97 pGoogle Scholar
SAS Institute Inc. (2006) SAS 9.1.3 User’s guide. Cary, NC: SAS.Google Scholar
Scasta, JD, Engle, DM, Fuhlendorf, SD, Redfearn, DD, Bidwell, TG (2015) Meta-analysis of exotic forages as invasive plants in complex multi-functioning landscapes. Invasive Plant Sci Manag 8:292306 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schussman, H, Geiger, E, Mau-Crimmins, T, Ward, J (2006) Spread and current potential distribution of an alien grass, Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees, in the southwestern USA: comparing historical data and ecological niche models. Divers Distrib 12:582592 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sierra, TJS, Fierro, LC, Echavarría, S, Gómez, F, González, MH, Martín, M, Ibarra, F (1981) Resiembra de pastizales en el estado de Chihuahua, especies y preparaciones de cama de siembra. Téc Pecu Méx 7:123 Google Scholar
Sierra, TJS, Ramírez, GH, Gutiérrez, RE (2014) Paquete tecnológico para la siembra de pastos en los agostaderos de Chihuahua. SAGARPA-INIFAP. Folleto técnico 50:167 Google Scholar
Silcock, RG, Finlay, CH, Loch, DS, Harvey, GI (2015) Perennial pastures for marginal farming country in southern Queensland. 2. Potential new grass cultivar evaluation. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales 3:1526 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spain, JM, Navas, GE, Lascano, C, Franco, LH, Hayashi, H (1984) The gradual replacement of native savanna on an Oxisol in Eastern 26 Colombia. Pages 283287 in Tothill, JC, Mott, JC, eds. Ecology and Management of the World’s Savannas. Canberra: Australian Academy of Science; Farnham Royal, Slough, UK: CABGoogle Scholar
Stevens, R (1968) The effect of low soil temperatures on the growth and carbohydrate content of the roots of Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees.). MS thesis. Tucson: Faculty of the Department of Watershed Management, University of Arizona. 77 pGoogle Scholar
Tagar, AA, Adamowskib, J, Memona, MS, Cuong, DM, Mashoria, AS, Soomrod, AS, Bhayo, WA (2020) Soil fragmentation and aggregate stability as affected by conventional tillage implements and relations with fractal dimensions. Soil Tillage Res 197:18 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[USDA] U.S. Department of Agriculture (2014) Field Guide for Managing Lehmann and Weeping Lovegrasses in the Southwest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5410118.pdf. Accessed: July 2, 2020Google Scholar
[USDA-NRCS] U.S. Department of Agriculture–Natural Resources Conservation Service (2006) The PLANTS Database. Baton Rouge, LA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed: August 2, 2020Google Scholar
Whalley, RDB, Chivers, IH, Waters, CM (2013) Revegetation with Australian native grasses a reassessment of the importance of using local provenances. Rangeland J 35:155–66CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yurkonis, AK (2013) Can we reconstruct grasslands to better resist invasion? Ecol Restor 31:120123 CrossRefGoogle Scholar