Burning and Fertilization for Range Improvement in Central Oklahoma

Graves, James E.; McMurphy, W. E.

doi:10.2307/3896334

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Other authors have reported undesirable shifts in botanical composition as a result of fertilization (Graves andMcMurphy 1969, Wilson et al 1966). In Florida, fertilization with N and K initially increased above-ground biomass and tiller density of creeping bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.)…”

Section: University Of Florida Journal Series No R-03982mentioning

confidence: 97%

Shifts in Botanical Composition of Flatwoods Range following Fertilization

Kalmbacher¹,

Martin²

1996

Journal of Range Management

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Section: University Of Florida Journal Series No R-03982mentioning

confidence: 97%

Shifts in Botanical Composition of Flatwoods Range following Fertilization

Kalmbacher¹,

Martin²

1996

Journal of Range Management

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“…The response varies with fire history (fire frequency and fire-return interval) (Gibson and Hulbert 1987, Blair Late-spring burning (April), especially when repeated annually for several years, also may reduce prairie threeawn (Graves andMcMurphy 1969, Engle et al 1990) and truncate the decades of dominance by prairie threeawn possible in the absence of fire (Rice 1971). The resulting increase in desirable forage species for cattle is generally less than the loss of prairie threeawn, so total herbage production decreases the year after burning (Tables 1 and 2) Launchbaugh 1977, Engle et al 1990).…”

Section: In a Synthesis Of Research From The Northern Flint Hills Of mentioning

confidence: 99%

Viewpoint: The Response of Central North American Prairies to Seasonal Fire

Engle¹,

Bidwell²

2001

Journal of Range Management

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“…Herbage production often is higher on burned areas than areas not burned in the more humid prairie peninsula where excessive mulch accumulations depress production (Old 1969, Kucera andEhrenreich 1962). Herbage production may also increase following late spring burning in Oklahoma and Kansas tallgrass prairies in which excessive mulch accumulates in the absence of burning or heavy grazing or where the fire-altered microclimate does not negatively influence growing conditions (Graves and McMurphy 1969, Anderson et al 1970, Powell et al 1979, Towne and Owensby 1984, James 1985). …”

Section: Dormant-season Firementioning

confidence: 99%

“…on areas heavily infested with this unpalatable annual grass by reducing mulch levels and combusting the seed Launchbaugh 1977, Engle et al 1990). Late-spring burning (April), especially when repeated annually for several years, also may reduce prairie threeawn (Graves andMcMurphy 1969, Engle et al 1990) and truncate the decades of dominance by prairie threeawn possible in the absence of fire (Rice 1971). The resulting increase in desirable forage species for cattle is generally less than the loss of prairie threeawn, so total herbage production decreases the year after burning (Tables 1 and 2) Launchbaugh 1977, Engle et al 1990).…”

Section: Dormant-season Firementioning

confidence: 99%

Viewpoint: The response of central North American prairies to seasonal fire

Engle¹,

Bidwell²

2001

REM

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Natural fires on the native grasslands of Oklahoma and Kansas were important for maintaining ecosystem structure and function. Today, land managers largely conduct prescribed fires in the late dormant season or they do not burn at all. When wildfires occur in other seasons, conventional wisdom assumes that desirable forage species for cattle are compromised. This assumption is based on a few fire studies limited in breadth and scope. To address this, we revisited numerous data sets to quantify the influence of season of fire on plant production and species composition. Research demonstrates that tallgrass prairie burned in the late spring starts growth earlier, grows more rapidly early in the growing season, and produces more tall grasses than unburned prairie. We contrast this response with the literature reporting the results of fire occurring in other seasons. Fire effects vary with fire frequency, fire-return interval, grazing history, herbicide use, successional stage, weather pattern, edaphic features, and topography. Our review of research suggests that a variety of responses to fire season are possible and rules-of-thumb that generalize responses are misleading. Most of the research on fire also does not report the interaction of fire and herbivory. Thus it is difficult to judge the influence of fire within the context of herbivory. Results from ongoing research suggest that the prairie is far more resilient under the interaction of fire and herbivory than earlier believed.Key Words: native grasslands, prescribed fire, fire frequency, fire interactions, fire return interval, wildfire Fire on the native grasslands of Oklahoma and Kansas, as in other portions of the Great Plains, provided a portion of the energy required for the development and maintenance of these grasslands (Bragg 1995). Natural fire was possible from late in the growing season before the first killing freeze in autumn, through the dormant season (i.e., after the first freeze in autumn and before the last freeze in spring), and up to several weeks after the last freeze in spring (Bragg 1982, Higgins 1986. The timing of fires with respect to season or within a season potentially influences plant species composition and productivity, and therefore influences rangeland management in the modern landscape. In this paper we demonstrate that a variety of plant species composition and production responses to season of fire are possible, and that prairie is far more resilient to burning in any season than is accepted commonly by conventional wisdom.Prescribed fire for livestock management in the grasslands of Oklahoma and Kansas is usually intended to enhance forage quality for cattle. Fires conducted early in the freeze-free period of the spring, traditionally referred to as late spring, coincide with resumption of active growth of warm-season grasses following winter dormancy. Late spring burning has been recommended for optimum cattle production (Launchbaugh and Owensby 1978). Fires conducted in winter or early spring are intended to e...

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Burning and Fertilization for Range Improvement in Central Oklahoma

Cited by 19 publications

References 16 publications

Shifts in Botanical Composition of Flatwoods Range following Fertilization

Shifts in Botanical Composition of Flatwoods Range following Fertilization

Viewpoint: The Response of Central North American Prairies to Seasonal Fire

Viewpoint: The response of central North American prairies to seasonal fire

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