Effect of Weedy Annuals on the Survival and Growth of Transplants Under Arid Conditions

A plant establishment study was conducted in the oil shale region of northeastern Utah where annual rainfall averages 200 mm. Treatments consisted of annual weed removal for 2 years, for 1 year, and no removal to test the impact of competition on survival of bareroot and container-grown transplants. Competition had a major negative effect on the survival and growth of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), winterfat (Ceratoides lanata), prostrate summer cypress (Kochia prostrata), and russian wildrye (Elymus junceus). At the end of 4 growing seasons only 21% of the plants survived under normal site competition compared to 84% survival with 2 years of weed removal. The area of plant canopy under the influence of full competition averaged 0.95 dm2 as compared with 4.03 dm2 where competition was absent for 2 years for the same period.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202