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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #137800
Title: IMPROVING SUCCESS OF WILLOW CUTTINGS PLANTED IN DAMAGED RIPARIAN ZONES

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

Submitted to: Annual Water Resources Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2002
Publication Date: 11/3/2002
Citation: Martin, L.T., Pezeshki, S.R., Shields, F.D., Jr. Improving success of willow cuttings planted in damaged riparian zones. American Water Resources Association 2002 Annual Water Resources Conference Proceedings. 2002. Abstract p. 238.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Revegetation of eroded riparian streambanks using dormant black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings (posts) is an efficient and cost effective method of stabilizing the soil and re-establishing native woody vegetation. However, many revegetation projects fail when cuttings die. Information is needed on pre-planting treatments that could improve survival and enhance establishment of willow cuttings. In a previous greenhouse experiment, willow posts soaked in water for 10 days before planting had significantly greater survival and growth than unsoaked posts. The purpose of this study is to verify these greenhouse findings under field conditions. As part of the Little Topashaw Creek project, about 4,000 willow posts were planted using a water jetting technique. Within the planted zones, twenty study plots representing a range of physical conditions were each planted with eight soaked and eight unsoaked posts. Posts in the soaked treatment were soaked for 14 days prior to planting. Unsoaked posts were planted immediately following harvest. The soaking treatment significantly enhanced plant survival during the first year. 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). Results from the first growing season clearly indicated enhanced early survival of soaked willow posts compared to unsoaked posts in field conditions.