This is an experiment on seeding fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) in 80-inch wide waterharvesting microcatchments on retired farmland west of Tucson. At 32 months after planting plots that received the establishment irrigation had more cover than unirrigated plots. Keeping plots free of competing weeds also gave some advantage. However, the coefficient of variation was very high, and none of these differences was statistically significant.

A permanent vegetative cover should be established on farmland before retirement. After four years of research, we recommend 1. Work with the fanner while he is still on the land; 2 Furrow the land into 38 or 40 -inch beds; 3. Plant adapted species; and 4. Apply establishment irrigations.

In July of 1988, we planted eight range grass species on retired farmland in the Avra Valley west of Tucson. In November of 1989, Arabian yellow bluestem, kleingrass, buffelgrass, "Catalina" lovegrass, and bermudagrass all yielded over 1000 Kg /Ha of oven dry forage "Cochise" lovegrass yielded 889 Kg /Ha, sideoats grama grass yielded 126 Kg /Ha, and bottlebrush yielded 86 Kg /Ha.

In July 1987, we began an experiment to evaluate the effects of water harvesting and establishment irrigations on range grasses on retired farmland In the first two years since establishment, we measured significantly higher forage production where we applied establishment irrigations. After three years, the difference from irrigation was no longer significant. We have not detected any significant differences in forage production due to water harvesting treatments.

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In July 1987, we began an experiment to evaluate the effects of water harvesting and establishment irrigations on range grasses on retired farmland. In each of the two years since establishment, we have measured significantly higher forage production where we applied establishment irrigations. We have not detected any significant differences in forage production due to water harvesting treatments.

Ten alfalfa varieties, ranging from very non - dormant to moderately dormant cultivars, have been grown and yields compared over a five year period. The yields decreased dramatically this last year, to 5.3 tons per acre down from 10 tons per acre during the second season. Differences in production between the top and bottom varieties was 4.75 tons per acre. Figuring hay values at $100 per ton, this difference would mean a loss of $19,000 over the 5 year period on a 40 acre field.

In July of 1986, we seeded buffelgrass, klein grass, "Catalina" lovegrass, "Cochise" lovegrass, bottlebrush, and sideoats grama grass on retired farmland in the Avra Valley west of Tucson. We seeded these grasses under three irrigation regimes: no establishment irrigation, two establishment irrigations, and four establishment irrigations. In measurements of the standing forage in 1987 -90, four establishment irrigations significantly increased the standing forage over the unirrigated treatments. However, the two irrigation treatment was not significantly different from either four irrigations or no irrigations. Buffelgrass, klein grass, and the lovegrasses appear to be promising species for vegetative cover for this site. We have also measured significant increases in the standing forage over the last four years.

Nine pinto bean varieties were tested in the Bonita area of Graham county as a follow up to the tests the previous two years. The top yield in 1990 was nearly 1700 pounds per acre compared with 3200 to 3000 for 1989 and 1988, respectively. Late planting early frost and bean rust all figured into the reduced yields. Additionally, a replicated, small plot test was planted to eleven different species of beans as diverse as garbanzo, lima and kidneys. Yield results and comments on these beans adaptability to the area are included in this report.

Yields are given for 20 varieties of alfalfa grown at the Safford Agricultural Center. Yields were down slightly from 1990. Mecca retained its number one position with a yield of 9.22 tons per acre and yielded nearly 4.4 tons per acre more than Cuf 101, over the four years of the trial.