Supplemental Water for the Establishment of Perennial Vegetation on Strip-Mined Lands
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Date
1980
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The practice of supplying additional water by irrigation to supplement natural precipitation for the establishment of perennial vegetation on mined-land is discussed. Results show added water can provide fast and successful establishment of seeded species and can be extremely important at times when natural precipitation is limited. Poor quality water (EC of 3.0 to 4.0 mmhos/cm^2 ) was successfully used for plant establishment with moderate increases of salts soluble sodium and SAR in the soil/spoil profile on an area where there was good water movement through the soil/spoil system. While not an absolute necessity in North Dakota, supplementation of natural precipitation can provide protection against plant establishment. failures and warrants consideration as a reclamation technique when water is available and the risk of failure is costly.