RESEARCH UPDATE

Less-flammable Species
Field Planting at Chisholm, Alberta
2008 - 2009

Researcher: Greg Baxter

From 2004 to 2008 six species of vegetation were tested at the Alberta Research Council (ARC) in Vegreville for their resistance to ignition and fire behaviour. From these trials, three species were selected for testing in the field. This update will summarise the work performed at Chisholm, Alberta during 2008 and 2009. The three species selected from our earlier work are: white clover, plateau fescue and yarrow. The fescue is a low growing grass species that colonises an area quickly thus stabilizing the soil. These three species scored the highest for ignition potential, fire behaviour, degree of curing and fuel loading (tons/ha) during the Vegreville trials.

This project is funded by FPInnovations, ASRD and CN Rail from their community protection agreement with SRD and Chisholm.

2008

• Species chosen for testing from the work completed in Vegreville (ARC) are plateau fescue, white clover and yarrow.

• Three sites were located in and around the hamlet of Chisholm. The three sites cover a range in terrain; one site is located in a low damp area, the second site is along a hillside and the third site is located on an upland dry, sandy area. These sites were agreed upon for use by Feric, ARC, Alberta SRD, CN and the local municipality.

• The sites were layed out, measured and then sprayed with herbicide by ARC in the fall of 2008. The sites were then burned on September 30 by SRD.

Dry, sandy site.

Low, damp site.

Middle site.

2009

• The spring of 2009 was cool and dry in this part of Alberta. This delayed the planting of the three plots until the end of May.
  
• The sites were sprayed with herbicide to kill and remove the existing vegetation.
  
• The group met at the site and determined plot layouts. This included: species, species mixtures and seeding intensity. An agronomix mixture was planted between plots to carry fire into the research plots for testing (see plot layout maps).
  
• The sites were disked and then planted by ARC during late May.
  
• Visited sites in August along with SRD to monitor the growth of the vegetation.
  
• ARC returned on August 21st to spray the weeds that had come in.
  
• Returned to mow the vetch which was invading the sites and do some selective spraying on September 3rd. The mowing removed the vetch canopy to allow the preferred vegetation to receive more sunlight for growth.
  
• The vetch will also be tested along with the other three species because of its abundance. Vetch is not recommended for use by Hogenbirk (1996) due to its high cured fuel loading in spring. We will take a look at the vetch and compare it to our species during the spring burn.
  
  

Preparing the upland dry, sandy site for planting.

Low, damp site in August 2009 after 2.5 months of growth.

White clover and plateau fescue August, 2009.

Middle plot with abundant vetch.

The sites were mowed to remove the vetch cover on September 3 rd .

Site 1 following mowing.

Overall impressions

The first field season of testing our selected species was a learning experience. As with most field operations, the weather had an influence on the project. The spring started cool and dry and was followed by drought conditions through the early summer. The impact this had on growth and colonization is unknown, but is assumed to have had some influence. Tufted vetch recolonized the site and required additional treatments to control and aid the establishment of the desired species. Plant establishment occurred relatively quickly in the ‘sterile’ environment of Vegreville at the ARC farm, but the establishment in an area with existing vegetation, even with spraying and burning may take longer than at the Vegreville farm.
Community knowledge of the work was also important in the ability to conduct the work. Locals were informed by SRD and assisted in the disking of the plots (a local company). They also acted to watch over the sites for us.

Plot Layouts