Effects of Biosolids on Tobosagrass Growth in the Chihuahuan Desert

Jurado, Pedro; Wester, David B.

doi:10.2307/4003534

Cited by 27 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Torr.] (Benton and Wester, 1998) and tobosagrass (Benton and Wester, 1998; Jurado and Wester, 2001). Martínez et al (2003) reported beneficial effects of biosolids application on soil N, P, and K, and increases in plant canopy and biomass in a degraded semiarid Mediterranean ecosystem.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Biosolids application in the Trans‐Pecos of Texas during the dormant season (January–April) of perennial grasses promoted greater forage yields of tobosagrass (Benton and Wester, 1998; Jurado and Wester, 2001; Mata‐González et al, 2002), alkali sacaton (Benton and Wester, 1998), and blue grama (Mata‐González et al, 2002) compared to the growing season (July) application. This response may be related to the longer residence time of biosolids applied in the dormant season (Benton and Wester, 1998).…”

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Soil Nitrate Nitrogen Dynamics after Biosolids Application in a Tobosagrass Desert Grassland

2006

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Dormant-season application of biosolids increases desert grass production more than growing season application in the first growing season after application. Differential patterns of NO3-N (plant available N) release following seasonal biosolids application may explain this response. Experiments were conducted to determine soil nitrate nitrogen dynamics following application of biosolids during two seasons in a tobosagrass [Hilaria mutica (Buckl.) Benth.] Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Biosolids were applied either in the dormant (early April) or growing (early July) season at 0, 18, or 34 dry Mg ha(-1). A polyester-nylon mulch was also applied to serve as a control that approximated the same physical effects on the soil surface as the biosolids but without any chemical effects. Supplemental irrigation was applied to half of the plots. Soil NO3-N was measured at two depths (0-5 and 5-15 cm) underneath biosolids (or mulch) and in interspace positions relative to surface location of biosolids (or mulch). Dormant-season biosolids application significantly increased soil NO3-N during the first growing season, and also increased soil NO3-N throughout the first growing season compared to growing-season biosolids application in a year of higher-than-average spring precipitation. In a year of lower-than-average spring precipitation, season of application did not affect soil NO3-N. Soil NO3-N was higher at both biosolids rates for both seasons of application than in the control treatment. Biosolids increased soil NO3-N compared to the inert mulch. Irrigation did not significantly affect soil NO3-N. Soil NO3-N was not significantly different underneath biosolids and in interspace positions. Surface soil NO3-N was higher during the first year of biosolids application, and subsurface soil NO3-N increased during the second year. Results showed that biosolids rate and season of application affected soil NO3-N measured during the growing season. Under dry spring-normal summer precipitation conditions, season of application did not affect soil NO3-N; in contrast, dormant season application increased soil NO3-N more than growing season application under wet spring-dry summer conditions.

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Soil Nitrate Nitrogen Dynamics after Biosolids Application in a Tobosagrass Desert Grassland

2006

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“…Biosolids can improve soil structure, increase soil water retention and nutrient levels, and enhance root penetration (Rigueiro‐Rodriguez et al, 2000). A study by Jurado and Wester (2001) found that biosolids not only increased forage production, but improved forage quality as well. Accompanying this increase in production would be an increase in total leaf area, which is important in reestablishing pre‐fire hydrologic conditions to burned sites (Fisher and Binkley, 2000).…”

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“…Meyer et al (2001) found that increased vegetative cover due to biosolids application reduced sediment yield from runoff in the Buffalo Creek wildfire area. Other studies have shown that biosolids can increase biomass production on over‐grazed rangelands and semiarid shrublands, as well as on desert areas (Pierce et al, 1998; Harris‐Pierce et al, 1993; Jurado and Wester, 2001).…”

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Plant and Soil Responses to Biosolids Application following Forest Fire

Meyer¹,

Redente

Barbarick

et al. 2004

J of Env Quality

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Soil stability and revegetation is a great concern following forest wildfires. Biosolids application might enhance revegetation efforts and enhance soil stability. In May 1997, we applied Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (Denver, CO, USA) composted biosolids at rates of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha(-1) to a severely burned, previously forested site near Buffalo Creek, CO to improve soil C and N levels and help establish eight native, seeded grasses. The soils on the site belong to the Sphinx series (sandy-skeletal, mixed, frigid, shallow Typic Ustorthents). Vegetation and soils data were collected for four years following treatment. During the four years following treatment, total plant biomass ranged from approximately 50 to 230 g m(-2) and generally increased with increasing biosolids application. The percentage of bare ground ranged from 4 to 58% and generally decreased with increasing biosolids rate. Higher rates of biosolids application were associated with increased concentrations of N, P, and Zn in tissue of the dominant plant species, streambank wheatgrass [Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm) Gould subsp. lanceolatus], relative to the unamended, unfertilized control. At two months following biosolids application (1997), total soil C and N at soil depths of 0 to 7.5, 7.5 to 15, and 15 to 30 cm showed significant (P < 0.05) linear increases (r2 > 0.88) as biosolids rate increased. The surface soil layer also showed this effect one year after application (1998). For Years 2 through 4 (1999-2001) following treatment, soil C and N levels declined but did not show consistent trends. The increase in productivity and cover resulting from the use of biosolids can aid in the rehabilitation of wildfire sites and reduce soil erosion in ecosystems similar to the Buffalo Creek area.

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“…Torr. ), and blue grama [38][39][40] under arid and semiarid conditions, attributed to the improvement of plant growing conditions with biosolids application.…”

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Establishment of Native Grasses with Biosolids on Abandoned Croplands in Chihuahua, Mexico

Jurado-Guerra

Sierra-Tristán

Lara-Macias

et al. 2013

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

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The objective of the work was to evaluate establishment and forage production of native grasses with application of biosolids, a byproduct of waste-water treatment, at an abandoned field, in Ejido Nuevo Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. Four biosolids rates from 0 (control) to 30 dry Mg ha−1and two methods of application, surface applied (BioSur) and soil incorporated (BioInc), were evaluated. Seedbed preparation included plowing and harrowing before rainfall. Field plots of 5 × 5 m were manually sown with a mix of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) (50%) and green sprangletop (Leptochloa dubia) (50%) in early August 2005. Experimental design was a randomized block with a split plot arrangement. Grass density, height, and forage production were estimated for three years. Data were analyzed with mixed linear models and repeated measures. Green sprangletop density increased under all biosolids rates regardless of method of application, while blue grama density slightly decreased. Biosolids were more beneficial for green sprangletop height than for blue grama height. Blue grama forage production slightly increased, while green sprangletop forage production increased the most at 10 Mg ha−1biosolids rate under BioSur method. It was concluded that BioSur application at 10 and 20 Mg ha−1rates had positive effects on the establishment and forage production of native grasses, especially green sprangletop.

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Effects of Biosolids on Tobosagrass Growth in the Chihuahuan Desert

Cited by 27 publications

References 31 publications

Soil Nitrate Nitrogen Dynamics after Biosolids Application in a Tobosagrass Desert Grassland

Soil Nitrate Nitrogen Dynamics after Biosolids Application in a Tobosagrass Desert Grassland

Plant and Soil Responses to Biosolids Application following Forest Fire

Establishment of Native Grasses with Biosolids on Abandoned Croplands in Chihuahua, Mexico

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