Establishment and survival of native legumes on upland sites in Louisiana

Abstract

Field evaluations of perennial native legumes (Fabaceae) from Louisiana pineland ecosystems revealed differing colonization abilities among species under natural recolonization of disturbed sites. Initial establishment and growth of transplanted seedlings of 5 different species were good in an early field evaluation. In a subsequent evaluation initiated with scarified seeds, poor establishment of herbaceous mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa Torr. & A. Gray) indicated that populations of this species may be limited by lack of competitiveness of emerging seedlings. Virginia tephrosia (Tephrosia virginiana (L.) Pers.) produced vigorous upright seedling growth with population expansion in only one year of these evaluations. Initial establishment of prairie snoutbean (Rhynchosia latifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray) was limited by inadequate rainfall in some instances, but under favorable conditions this species was superior in seed production and population expansion. Individual plants of these species were rather short-lived with long-term population survival dependent on seed production and seedling recruitment. Seed germination of these legumes was limited by hard seedcoats. Physical scarification readily overcame this limitation for all species evaluated. Rhynchosia latifolia appears to have potential value for use in reclamation and revegetation plantings because of potential for seed production and establishment of persistent populations under favorable conditions. Mimosa strigillosa has potential to provide superior ground cover and sustainable populations, but limited establishment from seeds indicates that selection from expanded germplasm collections for seedling vigor may be particularly important for successful use of this species.