Economic feasibility of rangeland seeding in the arid south-west

Abstract

Results from 6 years of seeding trials in the Chihuahuan Desert indicated that establishment of introduced and native grass species responded directly to soil moisture at the 1.22 cm (0.5 in) depth, soil temperature at the 5.08 cm (2 in) depth, and seedbed preparations of mulching and pits. The economic analysis indicated that seeding is not an advisable financial investment in the region under general circumstances. It also showed that when seeding is deemed necessary the best native species economic alternatives are blue grama [Bouteloma gracilis (H.B.K.) Griffiths] with either no seedbed preparation or with post seedbed preparation of mulch. The best introduced species economic alternative is Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees.), with no seedbed preparation.