Miss. Code. tit. 11, pt. 8, ch. 2, app 11-8-2-A, 11-8-2-11-8-2-A-W
Rules 2,4,5
The purpose of this document is to identify plant species suitable to control soil erosion and sustain the original expected forage production for coal mining sites in Choctaw County, Mississippi. Selected plant species are based on soil suitability and adaptation to the conditions of the selected site.
To provide proper treatment, an adequate supply of nutrients must be available for plant use. An adequate supply of nutrients will be applied according to a soil test.
Below are some plant species that are well suitable for the area disturbed:
| Bahiagrass | Common Bermuda | Hybrid Bermuda |
| Kobe Lespedeza | White Clover | Crimson Clover |
Site Preparation.
The site will be smoothed and shaped, where needed, to permit the use of conventional equipment for establishment and maintenance of needed vegetation. Graded slopes in the area will not be greater than 6:1. Strip and stockpile topsoil and spread evenly over the treated area prior to seedbed preparation.
Seedbed Preparation.
The soil will be thoroughly pulverized a minimum of 4 inches deep and harrowed to a uniform, smooth surface. Lime and fertilizer will be incorporated during seedbed preparation. Cultipack before and after planting.
Fertilizer and Lime.
Apply lime and fertilizer according to a soil test or make an initial application of 78 pounds of actual N - P - K and maintain a level of 65 pounds of actual N, P, and K per acre each year and pH at 6.0 to 7.0 for best results. For grass-legume mixture, apply about 1/2 the amount for nitrogen.
Table 1. Planting Recommendation
| Plant species | Planting date | Seeding rate in lbs. pure live seed per acre | Seed depth (inches) | |
| alone | mix | |||
| Bahia grass | March-June | 30 | 20 | 1/4 |
| Common Bermuda | March-May | 8 | 3 | 1/4 |
| grass | ||||
| Hybrid Bermuda | March-July | 1/ | 1/ | 2-3 |
| grass | ||||
| Kobe Lespedeza 2/ | March-May | 15 | 1/4 | |
| White Clover 2/ | Sept.-November 15 | 3 | 1/4 | |
| Crimson Clover 2/ | Sept.-October | 25 | 1/4 | |
1/ Plant 25,000 sprigs when planting alone and 20,000 when planting with a legume mixture.
2/ Legume seed will be inoculated with proper inoculant.
Management.
Do not cut annual lespedeza more than once a year. Make the cutting early enough to allow plant to mature seed after hay is harvested. For grasses and grass-legume mixtures, make the last cutting at least one month prior to the end of the growing season. For warm season grasses with winter legumes, apply P and K in September. Make first application of nitrogen in June; second application, if needed, in mid-July.
Table 2. Pasture and Hayland Management
| Plant Species | Growth stage to begin | Minimum height | ||
| cutting | grazing | cutting | grazing | |
| Bahia grass | Boot to flower | 5" | 2" | 3" |
| Common Bermuda | Boot to flower | 5" | 2" | 3" |
| Hybrid Bermuda | Boot to flower | 6" | 3" | 4" |
| Kobe Lespedeza | Bloom | 6" | 3" | 3" |
| Grass-Legume mixture | 1/2 bloom of legume | 5" | 4" | 3" |
| Tall Fescue | Boot | 6" | 3" | 3" |
Apply N - P - K immediately after growth begins.
Note: Grazing should be done in keeping with the minimum heights given in Table 2 on minimum cutting height above.
Note: AUM (Animal-Unit-Month) from Table 5.--Land Capability and Yield per Acre of Crops and Pasture, of the Soil Survey of Choctaw (or any other) County must be converted to tons per acre. One AUM equals 780 pounds of dry matter forage.
For example. 2000 / 780 = 2.56
For common Bermuda on Aerial soil type, the expected yield under a high level of management is 9.0 AUM 9.0 x 2.56 = 23.04 tons per acre
Miss. Code. tit. 11, pt. 8, ch. 2, app 11-8-2-A, 11-8-2-11-8-2-A-W