Early Performance of Some Native and Cultivated Grasses on Oil Sands Mine Disturbance Materials

The adaptability of native and cultivated grasses to oil sands disturbance materials is being studied in a field trial in northeastern Alberta. The native grasses originated from the mountains and foothills of the province. The trial was established on blended materials consisting of native sand, clayey overburden and peat. Nine native grasses and eight cultivated grass varieties were seeded in June of 1981. First-year results, describing laboratory germination tests and field emergence; and second-year results, describing the degree of plant cover produced, are presented in this report. A description of the site as well as a summary of experimental and statistical procedures are also included.