Title | Burning and nitrogen fertilization of tobosa grass |
Publication Type | Report |
Year of Publication | 1972 |
Authors | Dwyer DD |
Date Published | 1972 |
Institution | New Mexico Agricultural Experimental Station |
City | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
ISBN Number | Bulletin 595 |
Call Number | 00496 |
Keywords | book, books, chapter, chapters, fire,Hilaria, grass, Hilaria, Hilaria, fertilization, Hilaria,fire, Hilaria,management, management, Hilaria, report, reports |
Abstract | Tobosa grass (Hilaria mutica Buckl. Benth.) is a characteristic species dominating the flood plains of southern New Mexico. During rainstorms these flood plains often receive additional water from surrounding slopes and produce considerably more herbage than nearby sites. The accumulation of past growth which frequently occurs on the flood plains provides excellent fuel for fires. In the Southwest, lightning from summer electrical storms frequently ignites the dry tobosa which has accumulated. Also, ranchers occasionally burn tobosa flood plains to remove the unwanted accumulation of old growth. Little is known of the effects of fire on subsequent tobosa grass production. In general, tobosa grass is considered to be low in palatability for livestock. The accumulation of old growth tends to repel the grazing animal, and burning the old growth increases livestock preference for tobosa. This study was designed to determine the effect that burning tobosa at different times of the year has on subsequent production, with nitrogen fertilization and without. |