Improvement of rangeland productivity and soil protection from erosion by seeding range species

Seeding of improved range species (grasses and legumes) increases the productivity of degraded rangelands. Grass and legume species are grown at the experimental farm of the Forest Research Institute for seed production. These seeds have been used for improving rangelands and rehabilitation wildburned shrublands in the last ten years. The results of this program are briefly presented in this paper. Cultivated species include the perennial grasses Dactylis glomerata, Phalaris aquatica, Agropyron cristatum, A. desertorum, A. trichoforum, Bromus inermis, the annuals Bromus mollis and Lolium rigitum and the legumes Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium subterraneum. Most of these species used in the conversion of shrublands to grasslands. The results were an increase of herbage production for the grazing animals and soil protection from sheet erosion in the first two years after the wildfire.