Report number 1 on the results of
re-vegetation by means of hydromulching at Duck Creek Farm
The site
A northerly facing cut face of an
angle exceeding 45 degrees approximately 90 x 2.5 metres. Due to the northerly
aspect and the steep angle the site tends to remain dry even during periods
of high precipitation.
Date of application
The hydromulch was applied on the 1 June 2006. It is to be noted that
the seeding was done at the beginning of winter in the the Southern hemisphere
Seed mix applied
Commercial Rye, clover mix (Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens) at
a rate of 9 kg
Additional seed mix (described below) at the rate of 2.6 kg
The seed was applied together with
20 kg wood fibre mulch, 10 kg cellulose fibre mulch, 9 kg fertilizer,
250g potassium humate and 750g guar gum tackifier per 200 square metres
of surface area.
The composition of the additional seed mix.
Linseed (Linum spp) 10kg
Agrostis capillaris (Common bent, Cultivar Punawai Brown Top) 8 kg
Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) 8 kg
Plantago lanceolatus (Cultivar Tonic Plantain) 4 kg
Oats (Avena sativa) 5 kg
Trifolium pratense (Cultivar Sensation Red Clover) 4 kg
Lotus pedunculatus syn. Lotus major 1 kg
Evaluation of the site on the 5 July 2006
During the four weeks following application the site received frequent
and adequate precipitation. Cool moist conditions and numerous night frosts
were recorded during the entire period.
Mechanical support given to the bank
by the hydromulch has been good, the mulch has maintained excellent adhesion
to the surface in no areas whatsoever has it washed off, even on the steepest
slopes. Only on the steepest driest sections of the slope has there been
some mechanical failure where whole sections of the bank have become dislodged
together with their mulch coating. Under no circumstances could the strength
of the mulch or similar product have prevented this. Such damage is very
minimal as can be seen on the accompanying photo number 1.
On inspection of the site it was found
that a reasonable degree of germination has already taken place in particular
on the lower third of the slope where the conditions are more favourable
for plant growth because of the lesser angle of the slope and higher moisture
content of the soil. On the upper slope although somewhat sparse germination
had taken place. To date only the quick free germinating species Lolium
perenne (Rye) and some Agrostis capillaris (common bent) have germinated.
The more northwest facing sections of the site have shown slightly
inferior results, this is no doubt due to the fact that they receive more
sun and dry out more quickly. This can be clearly seen in the accompanying
photo numbered 1.
In conclusion
In general the results so far are good. Germination of the other species
would be expected to occur somewhat later after the germination of the
rye (Lolium perenne) and brown top bent (Agrostis capillaris), the Cynodon
dactylon as late as in late spring or early summer. Although the hydromulching
was done approaching the shortest day and considering the cold conditions
including night frosts, the time of year does provide continuous adequate
moisture to support initial germination and growth, which in the long term
might be of benefit. At times of the year when day lengths are longer and
temperatures are higher, conditions more favourable to germination the
moisture content of the soil may be insufficient to support both germination
and growth. Only further experimentation will give us the answers as to
which is going be the best time of year to undertake such remedial work.
Michael Hickman
06.07.06
The photos below were taken four weeks after seeding
Photo 1
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Report number 2 on the results of re-vegetation by means of hydromulching
at Duck Creek Farm