INFLUENCE OF SITE MANIPULATION ON INFILTRATION RATES OF A DEPLETED WEST TEXAS RANGE SITE

Infiltration rates significantly increased each year of the 3-year study on a deteriorated site heavily infested with mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). Vibratilling resulted in the highest infiltration rates of all treatments by increasing soil roughness and porosity. Shredding mesquite increased infiltration compared to no treatment. The shredding of mesquite increased the amount of soil cover by increasing litter and standing crop. Removal of mesquite by foliar spraying with 2,4,5-T + picloram, mechanical grubbing, or mechanical grubbing and planting to kleingrass (Panicum coloratum) did not increase infiltration. Plant cover and herbaceous standing crop were the most important factors affecting infiltration for treatments without mechanical soil disturbance. Soil variables such as surface roughness, organic carbon and porosity affected infiltration rates on treatments receiving mechanical disturbance. However, interactions between soil and plant variables were important in controlling infiltration on mechanically disturbed and mechanically undisturbed sites.