Assessment of Native Warm Season Grasses for Post-Mining Reclamation

The Red Hills Mine, located in Ackerman, MS, is a large-scale surface strip mine for lignite. Reclamation practices use browntop millet [Urochloa ramosa L.] and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; BG]. The objective of this study is to evaluate growth, yield, and forage nutritive value of native warm season grasses (NWSGs) compared to BG as a hay crop. Species tested were big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman; BBS), little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash; LBS], indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash; IG], upland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.; USWG), and BG. Whole plots were divided into subplots (1-cut and 2-cut systems) with and without supplemental fertilizer. Big bluestem and LBS produced the greatest number of tillers in 2018. Greater yields were produced by NWSGs. Mineral concentrations were sufficient for cattle in 2017, and declined in 2018. Native warm season grasses qualified as a hay crop for prime farmland, which is defined by yield