Growth, Physiology, and Productivity of Bouteloua gracilis and Cenchrus ciliaris Using Moisture Retainers under Different Planting Methods

The extensive raising of livestock on grasslands is a relevant economic activity in northern Mexico. These are regions of high climatic uncertainty and have extreme weather events, which requires the exploration of technological innovation to mitigate the negative impacts on these agroecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate two grass species using two planting methods and two types of soil moisture retainers and to determine their response based on growth and some physiological and productive attributes. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used in a split-split plot arrangement with six replications. The main plots were planted with two grass species: Bouteloua gracilis and Cenchrus ciliaris; the subplots were differentiated by two grass planting methods: seeding and seedling transplanting; the sub-subplots were differentiated by the soil moisture retainers used: (1) application on the soil of 10 t ha(-1) of corn harvest residue (CHR) as organic cover on the soil surface, (2) application of hydrogel at 20 kg ha(-1) mixed in the soil rhizosphere because it must be in contact with the root and soil due to its chemical composition, and (3) control, no application of any type of input. The seedling transplant method with the application of CHR significantly increased (p < 0.05) the plant survival percentage, on average by 31.5% in both grasses, in relation to the direct method seeding and the control. C. ciliaris showed a higher photosynthetic rate and, therefore, higher forage productivity than B. gracilis. The hydrogel only showed a moisture retention effect in the soil during the first 20 days after the transplant or sowing of the grass seed; after this period, there was no longer any effect as a water retainer in the soil. The soil cover with CHR was confirmed as a good moisture retainer with greater productivity of rangeland forage in degraded soils in arid areas.