| Abstrakt: |
Sagebrush (Artemisia) is a vital habitat component for many grassland species and continued loss, fragmentation, and degradation of sagebrush habitats has increased the need for their restoration. Conventional revegetation methods have resulted in extremely low plant establishment and survival inhibiting the success of sagebrush restoration efforts. During greenhouse production, we sought to improve Artemisia cana seedling quality and post‐planting growth and survival by increasing tissue nutrient content. We conducted a preliminary 12‐week greenhouse study and a subsequent 26‐week greenhouse + 2‐season field study, investigating 12 nutrient loading treatments (application of 70, 105, 175, and 245 mg nitrogen [N] plant−1 at single, constant, exponential, and modified exponential rates). Nitrogen content of seedling leaves and roots at 26 weeks indicated that application of 175 and 245 mg N plant−1 on exponential or modified exponential dosing schedules resulted in nutrient‐loaded seedlings. Seedlings were planted into a cleared plot in Grasslands National Park, SK. After 60 weeks in the field, nutrient‐loaded seedlings had significantly greater survival (75%) than non‐loaded seedlings (65%) and greater crown area (1,351 vs. 1,004 cm2). Rhizomatous reproduction (sprouting) occurred within 4 weeks of planting. New sprouts had disproportionately larger crown areas (2,237 cm2) and greater survival (86%) than planted seedlings. Nutrient loading was an effective method to overcome high mortality that has inhibited restoration outcomes. Where plant materials and resources are limited, nutrient loading could be especially useful by improving seedling survival and crown area without increasing planting densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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