The growth of S. patens transplants is enhanced by the application 

 of nitrogen fertilizer. At Drum Inlet S. patens was transplanted 28 June 

 1972 and one part of the planting received 89 kilograms per hectare of 

 nitrogen on 1 August 1972. The averages of plants harvested 4 October 

 1972 were 4.6 grams per plant for the unfertilized and 10.4 grams per 

 plant for the fertilized. 



We assumed that findings from our dune research program are applica- 

 ble to areas above the S. patens zone elevation. However, since Panioum 

 amavulum can be established by direct seeding and dredged material sites 

 may be less exposed than some foredunes, this species was seeded on 

 dredged material to protect S. altevniflova plantings from blowing sand 

 on both the Beaufort and Drum Inlet sites. It was of little value for 

 this purpose during the first growing season because seedling growth was 

 not sufficient to materially affect sand movement. However, by the end 

 of the second growing season a good stand, capable of trapping sand, was 

 established. 



Growth of this grass can be enhanced substantially by fertilization. 

 In an experiment at Drum Inlet, first-year seedling dry weight was 

 increased by a factor of 5 when nitrogen at the rate of 89 kilograms per 

 hectare was applied. Fertilizer response, if any, was obscured by blowing 

 sand on the Beaufort site. 



IX. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 



Techniques were developed for propagating Spavtina altevniflova by 

 seeding and transplanting. Transplants are more vigorous than seedlings 

 and are better able to survive on exposed sites and at lower elevations. 

 Plants can be dug from natural marshes. The most vigorous and most 

 easily obtained plants are found in recently colonized areas where the 

 root mat has not fully developed. A sandy substrate also facilitates 

 digging and separating the plants. A nursery area may be established 

 on sandy dredge spoil by seeding or transplanting and used the following 

 growing season. Plants produced in such a manner provide a source of easy 

 to obtain vigorous plants. Transplanting should usually be done with 

 single stems spaced about 0.9 meters apart. Closer spacing increases 

 the chances of success on exposed sites. Machine transplanting is 

 feasible where there is access to the planting site and the substrate 

 will support equipment. The best months for transplanting in North 

 Carolina are April and May, although it may be done at any time. Although 

 survival is good for summer planting, growth is limited for that growing 

 season. Risk of storm damage is great when transplanting is done in 

 winter. 



Seeding is an economical and effective method of establishing S. 

 altevniflova. Seed and seedlings are less tolerant of rigorous conditions 

 (such as storm waves and blowing sand) than transplants and are usually 

 effective only in about the upper one-half of the elevation range of S. 

 altevniflova in a given location. Seed should be collected as near 

 maturity as possible (late September in North Carolina) and stored in 



150 



