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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #159615
Title: GULLY SEEDER FOR RESEEDING RANGELAND AND RIPARIAN AREAS

Author
item GUTIERREZ, L - INIFAP (MEXICO)
item Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff
item DONART, G - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of Range Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2003
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Gutierrez, L.R., Herrick, J.E., Donart, G.B. 2004. Gully seeder for reseeding rangeland and riparian areas. Journal of Range Management. 57(4):399-401.

Interpretive Summary: Traditional methods of reseeding degraded arid and semiarid rangeland are expensive and frequently unsuccessful. A technique was developed that protects seeds from predation and mortality until a large rainfall event occurs, when they are deposited in favorable microsites for germination and seedling establishment. Simple seeding tubes are placed in small rills, gullies, arroyos or riparian areas and seeds are released as water flow depth increases. The tubes allow areas to be seeded when soil moisture conditions are most favorable for seedling establishment.

Technical Abstract: Traditional methods of reseeding degraded arid and semiarid rangeland are expensive and frequently unsuccessful due to high rates of seed predation and seedling mortality. A runoff-based method is described that protects seeds from predation and degradation until soil moisture is available and then deposits them in favorable microsites for germination and establishment. Seeds are placed in three 2 cm diameter x 8 cm PVC tubes. The small tubes are capped with crepe paper and glued inside a 7.5 cm diameter x 15 cm long tube that is capped with hardware cloth. The tubes are placed in small rills, gullies, arroyos or riparian areas and the seeds are released sequentially from the three tubes as flow depth increases. Seeds are deposited beneath piles of litter where soil moisture and temperature are more favorable for seedling establishment.