Evaluation of Texas native grasses for TxDOT right of ways : technical report.
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2009-05-01
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Edition:Technical report: Jan. 2006-Dec. 2008
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Abstract:The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has one of the largest right-of-way areas in the
United States with over 127,138 km of state maintained highway. In 2003, the new guidelines for Texas
Pollution Discharge Elimination System went into effect causing a renewed interest in TxDOT’s strive to
establish vegetation as quickly as possible. These guidelines, along with executive orders signed in 1999
and 2000, have brought about a growing interest in reducing spread and establishment of invasive nonnative
plant species, with emphasis on maintaining or increasing native species diversity and restoring
ecosystem processes.
A two-year study was conducted in Andrews, Baylor, and Kleberg Counties in Texas. Our objectives
were to test the hypotheses that 1) two native species, hooded windmillgrass (WMG) and shortspike
WMG, provide similar vegetation canopy cover as the standard seed mixtures currently used by TxDOT
when added as a component in a native seed mixture; 2) native WMGs would provide similar vegetative
cover as bermudagrass with use of a soil retention blanket; 3) hooded and shortspike WMGs provide
similar canopy cover as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) on single species plots; and 4) drill planting
technique would allow a greater proportion of seeds planted to establish a root system, therefore
providing greater canopy cover when compared against a broadcasting technique.
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