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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #141385
Title: SURVIVAL AND PERFORMANCE OF BLACK WILLOW (SALIX NIGRA) POSTS AT LITTLE TOPASHAW CREEK

Author
item MARTIN, LILI - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
item PEZESHKI, S - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
item Shields Jr, Fletcher

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2002
Publication Date: 10/9/2002
Citation: Martin, L.T., Pezeshki, S.R., Shields, F.D., Jr. Survival and performance of black willow (Salix nigra) posts at Little Topashaw Creek. Society of Wetland Scientists South Central Chapter Meeting. 2002. Abstract p. 12.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Previous revegetation projects in damaged riparian zones have experienced variable mortality rates of black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings. A greenhouse study recently demonstrated the beneficial effect of pre-planting soaking on willow cutting performance. However, little information is available on the effects of soaking on field plantings. The purpose of this study was to determine if soaking dormant posts prior to planting enhances early survival and establishment. We hypothesized that the acceleration of initial root and shoot development by soaking would lead to rapid establishment and increased survival rates compared to unsoaked posts. Twenty study plots along an incised stream in northern Mississippi representing a range of soil types and elevations were each planted with eight soaked and eight unsoaked posts; approximately 2.5 m in length and 2.5 cm in diameter. Results from the first growing season clearly indicated enhanced survival of soaked willow posts compared to unsoaked posts under field conditions. Percent survival of soaked posts (64%) was significantly greater than survival of unsoaked posts (53%) six weeks after planting (p=0.06), ten weeks after planting (p=0.05) and 34 weeks after planting (p=0.07). Plots where soaked posts had at least 25% higher survival rates than unsoaked posts were generally characterized by higher elevation (1.2 B 2.0 m above baseflow) and moderate to high sand content (66% - 92%).