Right-Of-Way Mowing Height Research: Final Report

摘要

The focus of this project was to develop practical information and recommendations on the relationship between height and frequency of mowing. There are concerns that current mowing practices are not timed to maximize the viability of the mixture of plants, especially native grasses, found in highway right-of-ways. It is hoped that mowing frequency can be reduced in some locations to minimize right-of-way maintenance costs. This project was intended to determine the optimum mowing height with respect to maintaining a viable stand of acceptable vegetation, reseeding of annual plant materials especially native flowers, and the frequency of required mowing. The optimum height must be considered with respect to the total cost of maintenance of right-of-way vegetation. To accomplish the above objectives, plots were established near Andrews, Brady, Lufkin, and Tahoka and responses measured to various treatments of mowing height, frequency of mowing, and root mass. From a separate set of plots, measurements were taken on plant population changes, morphological development, and carbohydrate reserves in plants.