Table 6. First-Year Performance of S. alterniflora Plant Sources 

 at Snow ' s Cut . * 





Aerial 



Height 



Number of 



Rhizome 



Center 



Source 



Dry Wt. 





Flowers/ 



Culms/ 



Culms/ 





(kg/ha) 



(cm) 



Hill 



Hill 



Hill 



Oregon Inlet 



1,592.0 



138.5 



34.2 



50.1 



38.7 



Ocracoke 



2,049.0 



151.4 



21.2 



26.2 



32.9 



Beaufort short 



1,424.0 



109.1 



18.4 



57.2 



28.2 



Beaufort tall 



2,365.0 



172.0 



12.1 



34.2 



17.6 



Snow's Cut 



2,723.0 



139.3 



26.4 



66.0 



29.9 



LSDt 0.05 



86.0 



10.9 



10.8 



18.2 



11.8 



0.01 



116.0 



14.7 



14.6 



24.6 



15.9 



CV$ (percent) 



44.2 



8.0 



50.0 



46.8 



41.7 



*Harvested 14 September 1971. Three row plots, 91-centimeter 

 spacing, randomized complete block design with three blocks. 

 Three samples (individual plants) taken from each plot in 

 the elevation zone of maximum growth. 



tLeast significant difference 



^Coefficient of variation 



culms than the other sources. Material from Ocracoke and from Snow's Cut 

 was the most productive (in dry weight) , but differences in production 

 during the second year were less marked than differences recorded the 

 first year. The north to south flowering sequence (characteristic of the 

 original sites) was still apparent. Adequate sampling of root and rhizome 

 production is difficult (Coefficient of Variation = 57 percent) and 

 differences would have to be quite large to be detectable. However, data 

 on this variable give an indication of the belowground biomass and related 

 soil-binding capability of this vegetation (Tab. 7). 



This trial was followed through the third growing season, but compari- 

 sons made for the 1971 and 1972 data do not appear valid for the 1973 

 season. By 1973, the higher elevations of the plots were extensively 

 invaded by fresh and brackish water marsh species plus some common inland 

 weeds (Tab. 8). Furthermore, there were visual indications of some mixing 

 by the plant material from the five sources. Therefore, while data are 

 presented elsewhere on stand maturation, sediment accumulation, and 

 colonization by other organisms, the individual plots were not distinct 

 after the second growing season. 



It seems reasonable to conclude, from the first 2 years of this trial, 

 that plants from any of the five sources tested would be satisfactory for 

 initial stabilization of this site. However, this site with its regular 

 tide (1.15 meters) and low salinity (8 to 10 parts per thousand) does not 

 represent the most rigorous test of the range of adaptability of the plant 

 material. 



32 



