Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Stewart, Barry R.

Committee Member

Munshaw, Greg

Committee Member

Guyton, John, III

Committee Member

Meints, Paul D.

Date of Degree

8-17-2013

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Plant and Soil Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Non-point source pollution caused by erosion from road construction poses hazardous environmental effects. Percolation and infiltration of nutrients into groundwater can also be detrimental to the surrounding environment. In addition, annual roadside maintenance budget exceeded $14 million in 2011 for Mississippi. Objectives of this research were to evaluate rapidly established short-statured species in an effort to prevent erosion, combat non-point source pollution, reduce mowing cost, and provide quick cover following propagation. Factors evaluated were rate of establishment, plant cover, and mowing requirement. MDOT’s standard seed mix was evaluated along with Pennington’s SlopeMaster product and different combinations of selected plant species. Visual and image analysis showed oilseed radish plants established the quickest and provided the most cover. All sod treatments provided instant cover while Pennington’s Slopemaster product, as well as mixes that contained bermudagrass or bahiagrass, provided sufficient cover, but not in a timely manner.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/21021

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