PERMANT STABILIZATION OF SEMIARID ROADSIDES WITH GRASS, LEGUME AND SHRUB SEED MIXTURES AND NATIVE GRASS DRYLAND SODDING

Two studies were implemented to improve methods of rapidly stabilizing semiarid roadsides vegetatively. One study evaluated six seeding mixtures consisting of grass, legume and shrub seed which were planted during the spring and fall on two harsh roadside cuts in eastern Montana. Results show that most wheatgrass species dominated the developing stands the first two to three years. As the stands developed, other species included in the mixtures became more dominant. Improved seed mixtures can be developed by studying results of individual species. Success of fall and spring seeding varied with species. The other study developed and evaluated a dryland sodding technique. Three native sods were cut 1.5 and 3.0 inches (3.8 and 7.6 cm) thick and placed during the spring and fall season in an erosive borrow ditch. Kentucky bluegrass sod cut to either thickness proved highly successful. Western wheatgrass required the greater sod thickness and proved to be successful. Inland saltgrass sod was not successful as it establish few shoots and was replaced by a dense stand of crested wheatgrass. /FHWA/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Montana Department of Highways. Study conducted in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  Montana State University, Bozeman

  Agricultural Experiment Station
  Bozeman, MT  United States  59717
• Authors:
  • Jensen, I B
  • Hodder, R L
  • Sindelar, B
• Publication Date: 1978-6

Media Info

• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arid land; Erosion control; Grain size (Geology); Grasses; Landscaping; Legumes; Mixtures; Planting; Roadside; Shrubs; Soil stabilization; Vegetation
• Old TRIS Terms: Sodding
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00195606
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-MT-78-141(3) Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 7918
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 15 1979 12:00AM