FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Panicum obtusum | Vine-Mesquite 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire destroys the aboveground vegetation of vine-mesquite.  A wildfire
during drought conditions with fuel buildup will remove all humus and
may have an adverse effect on some of the rhizomes.  A prescribed burn
during moist years with sufficient vegetation to carry the burn will
leave humus in the center of the plant protecting the regenerative
features [34,35].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Following fire, long stolons occupy burned areas [43].  Productivity
after fire can increase by as much as 112 percent if soil moisture is
adequate [3,11,35,40].  Wright [44] found that vine-mesquite thrives and
produces more herbage on burns than on controls for several years
following a fire.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
When planning a prescribed burn on the shortgrass prairie, soil
moisture should be high, the relative humidity greater than 70 percent,
and wind speed should be less than 10 miles per hour (17 km/hr) [35].
Ueckert [40] found that production and vigor of vine-mesquite was
enhanced by a late winter fire.  Burning during dry years increases the
drought stress on the plants, which lowers overall production in the
community.  Lower production subjects the soil to wind and water erosion
for longer periods of time [43].

Related categories for Species: Panicum obtusum | Vine-Mesquite