Design, treatments, and vegetation measurements
This study was conducted on the Jornada Experimental Range (JER) from
1988-89. The objective of this study was to measure nodulating
rhizobia of honey mesquite shrubs (Prosopis glandulosa) of irrigated
treatments and non-irrigated controls. Precipitation is 230mm/yr, with
half occurring during the summer. The vegetation is coppice mesquite
dunes (30% cover) with scattered shrubs of saltbush and snakeweed.
Five mesquite dunes were irrigated by pumping water from storage tank
located 200 m from the site. Water was applied to the dunes with an
overhead sprinkler (later replaced by a drip irrigation system to
minimize wind drift) located at the apex of each dune. Irrigation
began in March with approximately 2.5 cm applied 2-3 times/week for 6
weeks to initially wet the dry soil. Thereafter high water
availability was maintained by weekly irrigation. Five non-irrigated
dunes served as control. Soil samples were collected with hand augers
under each mesquite to three depths, 0-50 and 50-100, and 100-150cm.
Soil samples were placed in plastic bags, tied, and stored in portable
coolers. Concentrations of mesquite-nodulating rhizobia in field-moist
soil samples were estimated using the plant-infection, most probable
number (MPN) technique (Vincent 1970).
References
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Vincent, J. M. 1970. A manual for the practical study of root-nodule
bacteria. IBP Handbook 15. Blackwell Scientific Publi., Oxford,
England.