Rosemont Mine - Benefits

Native Plant EstablishmentLate Summer Planting Project

During the initial life cycle of the product DriWater we noticed a trend in restoration/revegetation where planting tended to occur in the later fall or early winter months. We understood the thinking behind this methodology was that the plants would have moisture and cooler temperatures throughout the winter months and be in the ground ready for spring moisture. But what we also noticed was that many plants perished over the winter the winter months. This meant that additional money would be spent on new plant materials to replace the dead plants, and on labor costs to mobilize teams to replace plants.

1Background QuestionsTiming of winter/fall plantingWater needs vs. water useFaster establishment with lower maintenanceTRWG-Z over hand-watering

The initial questions we asked ourselves were: When is the best time of year to plant? What are the minimal water needs of a plants and can time-release water provide enough moisture to establish a plant more quickly than sporadic watering? And is there a substantial enough difference between time-release water with Zinc over hand watering?

The trends presented in this informal study provide exciting results that both provoke more investigation and new approaches to shifting seasonal planting. Attaining high survival rates without incurring high expenses for maintenance, or replanting due to site failure are common goals in revegetation. While late fall early winter planting provide the plants the initial protection and possible moisture needed to survive the winter, planting at this time of year does not always enable the plant substantial enough root growth needed for long-term sustainability.

We know that when plants feed, or photosynthesize, they grow and increase their carbohydrate storage (energy). So if plants were given adequate time and enough moisture to grow, develop roots prior to the dormant season, it would be assumed that the roots would have more chance to increase carbohydrate storage. By having this food available when spring comes the plants have been given a head start to better uptake spring moisture and nutrients making the plants stronger for the coming growing season. With todays unstable climates spring may be the only time that plants have to develop and strengthen before possible summer drought, so the extra push the plants have gotten from their carbohydrate reserves the better prepared they are to handle dryer climatic conditions.

2Objectives

Clarify potential benefits of TRWG-Z over hand-wateringDetermine if single application ( or12 weeks of continual moisture) could successfully establish plantsDetermine if photosynthesis prior to dormant season would have substantial benefit to plant establishmentDefine water saving using TRWG-ZAlthough this was set up as an informal pilot study we believed that several determinations could result. We resolved to understand the potential benefits of using time-release water gel with zinc (TRWG-Z) over hand watering with regard to root and plant growth. Secondly we wanted to determine if a single application of TRWG-Z at the right time of year could have the potential to grow a sustainable plant in one growing season with the understanding that in dryer climates this would translate to 90-days of continual moisture which may be 2 or 3 applications. But the main point was to see if 90-days of continual and adequate moisture would have the potential to grow a sustainable plant in the first growing season. Thirdly, we wanted to see if there could be potential benefit from added photosynthesis on the front side of transplanting and if this would translate to first season sustainable plant growth. And lastly, we wanted to define some kind of water savings.

3Background TRWG-ZTRWG-Z, (carboxymethylcellulose cross-linked polymer)Potable waterCity of Santa Rosa, CAZinc Sulfateessential to many enzyme systems in plantscontributes to production of growth regulators most available form of zinc to plantsGlacial Acetic Acidnaturally occurring auxin induce elongation in shoot cellsimprove uptake of minerals

TWRG is pure potable water held in a solid form by two food-grade ingredients (cellulose gum and alum), it is not an absorbent polymer. It appears in the form of a gel. The gel is degraded by microorganisms to yield available water (Wheeler, PhD & Peterson, 2006, p. 2). During the research of zinc the selection of zinc sulfate was based on which zinc compound is utilized most efficiently by plants. Zinc is essential to many enzyme systems in plants with three main functions including catalytic, co-catalytic, and structural integrity. Zinc contributes to the production of important growth regulators which affect photosynthesis, new growth, and development of roots (Mordvedt, Cox, Shuman, & Welch, 1991) (as cited in Wheeler, PhD & Peterson, 2006, p.2) and improves stress tolerance. If zinc is in short supply, plant utilization of other essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen will decrease.

Glacial acetic acid, a naturally occurring auxin (a term representing a class of compounds) characterized by their ability to induce elongation in shoot cells. They also regulated cellular elongation, phototropism, geotropism, apical dominance, root initiation ethylene production, fruit development, parthenocaarpy, abscission, and sex expression, all of which are necessary for normal plant growth. Research also indicates that the presence of acetic acid will improve the uptake of minerals (Arteca, 1996, p. 15-16).

To maintain plants normal growth, glacial-3 acetic acid must be produced and regulated by the plant. Zinc is a co-factor in the transformation of the amino acid tryptophan to the auxin. Zinc will help maintain acetic acid levels in the plant and promote growth, rooting, and health (Wheeler, PhD & Peterson, 2006, p.2)4Materials & ClimateSpeciesQuercus agrifoliaQuercus lobata Planting timesAugust 4, 2009September 2, 2009October 2,2009Container sizeD-40Climate-Mediterranean

Month 9-Aug9-Sep9-Oct9-Nov9-Dec10-Jan10-Feb10-Mar10-Apr10-May10-Jun10-JulHigh 102F 101F 87F 80F 65F 62F 71F 81F 82F 83F 97F 92F Low 47F 40F 38F 30F 21F 32F 34F 33F 34F 35F 45F 45F Precip 0.11 in. 0.49 in. 1.81 in. 4.31 in. 4.50 in. 6.25 in. 6.08 in. 4.71 in. 1.67 in. 0.83 in. 0.19 in. 0.06 inwww.accuweather.com/us/ca/santa-rosa/95401/forecast-month.asp The species used for the study were Quercus agrifolia (Coastal Live Oak), and Quercus lobata (Coastal Valley Oak). Plots were set up on an empty lot behind the DriWater manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa California. Plot size for each planting date was 10 by18 , and set up with full sun exposure. Three sets of plantings took place; August 4th, September 2nd, and October 2nd of 2009. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters with rainfall occurring generally during winter months with spring rain. 5Plots & Watering MethodsEach plot 32 plants 10X1820 with TRWG-Z -12 hand-wateredAugust single application TRWG Hand-watered : 12 weeks, 2.5 gallon each weekLast hand-watered date was October 7Septembersingle application of TRWG-ZHand-watered: 12 weeks, 2.5 gallon each weekOctober single application of TRWG-ZHand-watered: 12 weeks, 2.5 gallon each week(except during active precipitation)

All plots were placed to receive full sun exposure. Planting holes were dug and watered twice to give a good moisture column below plants. No amendments were added to the soil or planting holes. TRWG plants were watered once at the time of planting and received only a single application of a TRWG-Z through a 3 tube placed next to plants root ball. Hand-watered plants were given equal amount of water at the time of planting and then were watered 2.5 gallons of potable water every Wednesday for 12 weeks. 6Dry Root Mass Data CollectionTwo HarvestsJune 23, 2010November 27, 2010 Three-weeks of drying timeWeighed on calibrated scale

Quercus agrifoliaJune 2010 Harvest10 months after plantingTwo harvests were conducted with five from each group (hand-water and TRWG-Z) for each month. The roots were dried for three weeks prior to weighing dry root mass. The weights from each group were averaged. Roots were weighed on a calibrated scale at the testing facility in Santa Rosa California. This is an example of the trends that we began to see at the first harvest. 7Quercus agrifolia Dry Root Biomass

TRWG-Z 15 gramsHand-watered 9 gramsQuercus agrifolia Planted August 2009, harvested and weighed June 2010 These roots are examples taken from the August planting, TRWG-Z on left and hand-water on right. At this time the plants were 10-months old.8 August Planting-June HarvestDry Root Biomass (g)Plant speciesHand-wateredTRWG-ZQuercus agrifolia815Quercus lobata1426Average112010-month old plants10 months old 9August Planting-June HarvestDry Root Biomass (g)

10 month old plants10

June Harvest of August, September and October Plantings

A comparison of averages in dry root mass for the three planting periods show a trend toward more overall dry root biomass with August planting. 11August Planting-November HarvestDry Root Biomass (g)

August Planting-November Harvest Dry Root Biomass (g)

Left: TRWG-Z 78(g)Right: Hand-watered 37(g) Quercus agrifolia-15 month old plantsQuercus lobataTRWG-Z

August 89(g)15 month old plantSeptember 12 (g) 14 month old plantOctober 9(g)13month old plantAugust Planting November Harvest Upper Plant Growth

42-inches24-inches

60-inches36-inchesQuercus lobataTRWG-Z left / Hand watered rightQuercus agrifoliaTRWG-Z left / Hand watered right152009 Planting Today

16November 2012 Final Comparative GrowthIn the end there was only one loss, literally a loss, the plant came up missing so in terms of survival between hand watered plants and plants established with the TRWG there was not difference. We looked at both as having equal survival.

We did go back in and measure the trees for the last time in November 2012, both the caliper and the height of the trees, with measurements taken in inches. Our purpose for this was now to look at the planting solely in terms of what plants have better growth rates, August plants, September plants, or October plants. We measured and then looked at averages. The August plants did considerably better both in terms of caliper and height over September and October, with October plants doing better than September plants. 17August/September/October

Photos taken

August 23, 2012Synopsis: Measurement in Inches

19Discussion/ObservationsAdditional root growth on August plants Late summer planting appears to allow sufficient photosynthesis resulting in ample carbohydrate storage for spring plant growthZinc and Glacial Acetic Acid contribute to the production of essential growth over potable water with no nutrientsUsing TRWG-Z contributes to overall water efficiency No plants received water after 12 weeks -1 fatality-continual moisture appears necessary While plants that are placed in the ground during the months of November, December, and January may be protected from harsh summer temperatures they do not necessarily receive the root growth momentum to survive through the following growing season. These plants typically require some type of water regime during the following spring and summer adding costs but may not improve survival rates. This study found that by planting in August, normally one of the warmest months of the year and providing adequate moisture (90-days of continual moisture) plants survived during the next growing season without additional moisture. It was also observed that the addition of zinc and glacial acetic acid roots developed more quickly with the plants showing more upper plant growth and stamina than plants given just water. Planting trees in late summer appears to provide sufficient time to allow the plant to push root growth for several months prior to dormancy.

This study shows sufficient evidence to further studies using the scientific method in a variety of growing climates and environments to secure results that show August to be an optimum month to plant trees using zinc and glacial acetic acid to produce the growth necessary for survival without water maintenance over a 2 to 3 year period resulting in better plant survival and increased water efficiency. 20Water Use Comparison

TRWG-ZHand-water Per Plant2.5 gallons at planting1 Quart of TRWG-Z12 weeks = 2.75 gallonsPer plant2.5 gallons per week for 12 weeks = 30 gallonsWater saving per plant: 92%I did a simple comparison using the numbers of this pilot study for water use. Because the numbers of hand-watered to TRWG-Z plants per plot were different we did our comparison using a plant to plant comparison.

All projects are different with different water availability and costs. Today we understand that water is a non-renewable resource so saving water is critical, and should play a role in the cost benefit analysis for any revegetation project. 21Why Rethink?EconomicsWater efficiencyUnpredictable weatherSuccess criteria

References(1993). Zinc, needed throughout the root zone. Micronutrient news and information, Vol. 13(No. 4). (1994). Zinc-the most important micronutrient. Micronutrient news and information, Vol. 14(No. 3) Amrani, M., Westfall, D. G., & Peterson, G. A. (1993). Zinc plant availability as influenced by zinc fertilizer sources and zinc water solubility. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Arteca, R. N. (1996). Plant growth substances, Principles and applications. New York, NY: Chapman and Hall. Mordvedt, J. J., Cox, F. R., Shuman, L. M., & Welch, R. M. (1991). Micronutrients in agriculture (2nd ed.). Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America. Wheeler, J., PhD, & Peterson, K. (2006). DRiWATER plus, a new product (cross linked carboxymethylocellulose gel with zinc and acetic acid). Tucson, AZ: Research conducted at Acre Inc. Source for Santa Rosa Temp. & Precip: *http://www.accuweather.com/us/ca/santa-rosa/95401/forecast-month.asp