Soil water withdrawal and root distribution under grubbed, sprayed, and undisturbed big sagebrush vegetation

Seasonal depletion by vegetation where sagebrush was selectively removed by grubbing and where sagebrush was sprayed with 2,4-D was 33 and 12 percent less, respectively, than that for undisturbed big sagebrush vegetation in the surface 122 cm of soil. Differences were located primarily below 61 cm in vegetation grubbed the previous fall and below 91 cm in vegetation sprayed three years previously. Total root weights under grubbed and sprayed vegetation were 29 and 16 percent less, respectively, than for undisturbed big sagebrush vegetation. Total herbaceous production by grubbed and sprayed vegetation was 69 and 43 percent less, respectively, than production by undisturbed vegetation.