Using compost mulch to establish roadside vegetation.

摘要

Practical highway right of way design includes consideration of cross-sectional slope, longitudinal slope, and the type of grass or other vegetation. Cross-section slope must not allow overland flow to erode the face of the ditch, longitudinal slopes must prevent open channel flow from exceeding the permissible velocity of the channel, and the vegetation selected must provide protection for the channel while allowing storm water flow to pass with a minimum of disturbance. Maintenance and upkeep of the unpaved buffer or right of way ditch is a key element in an overall strategy designed to protect the integrity of the roadway and related structures.; The establishment of broadcast seeded grasses on highway rights of way was examined as a function of four standard treatment methods currently specified by the Texas Department of Transportation and various depths of compost applied as mulch. The basic experimental design consisted of a randomized split-plot. Ten replicated treatments were randomly assigned to either an irrigated or a non-irrigated main plot in each of three blocks. A review of scientific literature, a greenhouse study, and field trials in three diverse geographical regions of the State of Texas defined the research component of the experiment. Physical evidence, visual observations, and laboratory analysis were combined with descriptive and inferential statistical methods to form the investigative component.; Soil temperature and soil moisture content are crucial to the germination and emergence of broadcast grass seed. Soil temperature was significantly (P 0.05) influenced by straw mulch held in place by jute netting and by application of compost mulch at depths greater than two inches. In addition, soil moisture was effectively conserved by application of straw mulch held in place by jute netting or by application of a four-inch layer of compost mulch. Compost mulch applied at depths greater than two inches retarded or prevented emergence of desired perennial grasses. Establishment of annual and invading plant species was observed to be prevented when biosolids or dairy manure compost was applied at a four-inch depth.