Wheatgrass response to organic amendments and contour furrowing on coal mine spoil

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6036592

Scholl, D G; Pase, C P

Establishment of perennial grasses on New Mexico's coal mine spoils is difficult because of the arid climate and saline or sodic spoils. Topsoiling alone may not be sufficient to establish the most productive grass stands. Treatments such as organic amendments or contour furrowing could be useful in establishing grass stands. The growth response of several wheatgrasses (Agropyron sp.) was tested on sodic and nonsodic coal spoils following amendments with pine bark (Pinus sp.) and barley straw (Hordeum vulgare L.). Bark and straw were incorporated into the spoil using a large disk harrow. Contour furrowing was also tested in combination with the amendments. Furrows were produced with the same disk harrow with alternate disk blades removed from the rear axles. Plant height and production were increased by the amendments, and to a lesser extent, by the contour furrowing. Production was greatest on the nonsodic spoils. Incorporation of straw into nonsodic spoil produced outstanding growth, which exceeded production on topsoiled areas. Soil bulk density was significantly reduced after incorporation of straw into nonsodic spoil and pine bark into sodic spoil. The straw and pine bark treatments in general improved soil water content at the end of the growing season. Contour furrowing in combination with pine bark produced higher water contents in 1 of the 2 years.

• Research Organization: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experimental Station, Albuquerque, NM
• OSTI ID: 6036592
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 13:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL MINES
LAND RECLAMATION
GRASS
PLANT GROWTH
SPOIL BANKS
REVEGETATION
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MOISTURE
PRODUCTIVITY
SOILS
DATA
GROWTH
INFORMATION
MINES
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANTS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)