The Effect of Alternative Cover Crops and Fertilizer Application on Native Plant Establishment

This study examined the effectiveness of two different reclamation strategies used to promote native plant establishment on soils disturbed by oil and gas extraction: (1) cover crops, which provide erosion control and nutrient cycling, but compete with native plant species; and (2) fertilizer, which promotes early establishment on nutrient poor soils, but alters species composition. Experimental variables included 2 sites, 4 cover crop types (barley, pea, barley + pea mix, and control), and 2 fertilizer treatments (fertilized and control).

Fertilizer and crop type had no effect on native plant density. Fertilizer increased percentage cover of native plants and crop biomass. In fertilized plots, the presence of cover crops reduced percentage of native species cover. Following the combined treatment of fertilizer and cover crops, residual phosphorus and potassium was detected, but there was no residual nitrate; pea seemed to marginally improve the presence of nitrogen in the soil.