N TABLE 16 



Effect of Thinning on Regrowth of American Beachgrass 



Amount pulled 12 January 1965 Yield, lb/acre 15 August 1965 

 I . None 3985 



2 50% - every other clump 2965 



3. 50$ - 1/2 of each clump 3253 



4. 67$ - 2 of every 3 clumps 3151 



5. 100$ - a I I 3217 

 Least Significant Difference Not significant 

 Coefficient of Variability 43$ 



g. Direct Seeding of Sea Oats 



There is considerable interest in direct seeding of sea oats and 

 other species on the Banks with the hope that a substantial reduction in 

 planting costs might follow. Since the sea oat has been observed to spread 

 rather extensively by seed at times, it was chosen as the best plant for the 

 first trials of this kind. A number of seeding tests of an exploratory 

 nature were initiated in the winter and early spring of 1964-1965. Some of 

 these were successful to the extent that stands of seedlings were obtained. 

 While these tests did not add greatly to our knowledge on this subject, they 

 did point up some of the problems involved: 



(1) Temporary stabilization - it is necessary to avoid substantial 

 sand accumulation or loss within a seeded area at least until seedlings have 

 emerged. Indications are that successful germination and emergence are likely 

 to occur only from within a zone from 2 to 6 inches below the surface. Fre- 

 quent drying of the surface 2 inches prevents germination at the shallower 

 depths; food reserves probably limit emergence from zones more than about 6 

 inches below the surface. 



(2) Since two growing seasons are usually required for full estab- 

 lishment of a sea oat seedling, direct seeding is not likely to be useful on 

 the more critical areas. 



(3) Further studies will be needed to determine optimum pretreatment, 

 seeding dates, seeding depths, etc., to insure early emergence of seedlings. 

 Since the sea oat seedling grows off quite slowly the first season, early 

 emergence is likely to be very important to survival. 



37 



