PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 24: Agro-Ecology
Wednesday, August 10, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Vegetated filter strips: Using creeping wild rye (Leymus triticoides) to reduce agricultural non-point source pollution.

Powers, Michael^*,1, ¹ San Jose State University, San Jose, California

ABSTRACT- Vegetated filter strips (VFS) are defined as areas of vegetation designed to remove sediment and other pollutants from surface water runoff. They are used to treat agricultural runoff, which is responsible for over one-half of all non-point source pollution in the United States. Creeping wild rye (Leymus triticoides) is a California native grass known for its rhizomatous character and ability to develop extensive, deep root systems. For this reason, it is popular for use in vegetated filter strips where it must compete with invasive weeds for establishment. The objective of this research is to determine the extent to which Leymus triticoides seed is effective in competing with non-native weeds and reducing erosion in vegetated filter strips over the short term (i.e. one winter-spring season) compared to Leymus triticoides plugs. Measurements of density and percentage cover were used to determine success of Leymus triticoides seed and plugs in competing with non-native, invasive plants during establishment. Grab samples were taken during storm events to determine if there is a significant difference in the ability of Leymus triticoides seed and plugs, and ruderal, unseeded, strips to reduce erosion and nutrients in farm water runoff.

Key words: non-point source pollution, vegetated filter strips, leymus triticoides