Plant Response to Moist-soil Management in Southeastern Arkansas

We examined plant response to moist-soil management in the delta region of Arkansas in 1985-87. We monitored 3 fields subjected to May, June, and July drawdowns and passive management (no summer irrigation). Total seed production varied from 253 to 1,288 kg/ha and vegetation mass ranged from 1,070 to 4,880 kg/ha. Seed production was more dependent on year and field effects than on drawdown date. Fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) was the most important seed producer and longpod sesbania (Sesbania macrocarpa) was the major problem species. Primrose willow species (Ludwigia spp.) became increasingly dominant in successive years. Drawdowns later than I June appeared to minimize sesbania problems.