MASSACHUSETTS ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH-1977

Project I was phased out late in 1976 after years of research on the establishment of native species. Project II concerned a follow-up on 6-8 year-old plantings of crownvetch, flat pea, and Cicer mikvetch to determine their durability as cover for erosion control on roadsides. The follow-up showed that in areas where soil fertility and pH were adequate, legumes were growing well; areas with only fair stands need both lime and nutrients. Also studied were the effects of gibberellic acid soaking on germination percentage of false indigo seed with the resulting conclusion that the acid did not improve germination, may even have hindered it. Project III was a study of germination of several shrub species and crownvetch in tubes and other plastic containers to determine their survival and growth after having been transplanted onto roadsides. Of the containers used, a large tube (1.5" x 8") was the easiest to use and produced very successful plants. A slow release fertilizer, Osmocote, was effective. Crownvetch grown in tubes survived and developed at the same high rate as crownvetch grown in peat pots or flats. Project IV involved the continuation of the K-31 tall fescue breeding program; a paper mulch was tested for comparison with wood chips and hay mulch on a slope seeded to grasses and performed well; new herbicides and growth retardants were tested; an examination of the effects of road salts on 22 turfgrasses revealed the most salt tolerant grasses in the study to be 3 fescues--Alta, K-31, Golfrood red--and several bluegrass varieties. Project V studied several soil amendments used on fescue plots, with the finding that grasses in plots which received either sewage sludge or bentonite produced the densest cover and best growth. Project VI is a literature review concerning wildflower use on roadsides in other states. /FHWA/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. Prepared in cooperation with DOT, and FHWA.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Massachusetts, Amherst

  Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, French Hall
  Amherst, MA  United States  01003
• Authors:
  • Zak, J M
  • Troll, J
  • Mosler, S H
  • Zak, R S
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 49 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Erosion control; Fertilizers; Herbicides; Landscape design; Mulches; Roadside improvement
• Uncontrolled Terms: Germination
• Old TRIS Terms: Vegetation selection
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178821
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-MA-78-52
• Contract Numbers: Mass. 2656
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM