Abstract: Spartina alterniflora is one of the most noxious invasive plant species in China. Exploring  environment friendly, economic and effective technique of controlling S. alterniflora is of great significance for the protection of the coastal environment. In the present study, the effects of mowing and waterlogging on germination and seedling growth of S. alterniflora were studied by a pot experiment in an artificial climate chamber (20-25 ℃). The experiment lasted for four months andS. alterniflorawas mown twice. The first mowing was carried out at the end of the growing season ofS. alterniflora and the second mowing occurred three months later. After the first mowing, the soils were continuously waterlogged. Four waterlogging depths were set up: 0, 5, 10, and 20 cm. The seedlings sprouted rapidly on the rhizome ofS. alterniflora after the first mowing. The germination of seeds was about three months later than that of clonal seedlings.Waterlogging inhibited the germination and growth of clonal seedlings. The number of clonalseedlings, plant height and aboveground biomass decreased with the increases of waterlogging depth. After the second mowing, no clonal seedlings reappeared; however, a small amount of seeds germinated in waterlogging treatments. The number of seedlings in the 20 cm waterlogging treatment was the least. According to our results, mowing plus waterlogging can inhibit thegermination and seedling growth of S. alterniflora. Furthermore, mowing and waterlogging is not harmful to the environment. The recommended control technique ofS. alterniflora is: (1) building a dam before the spring germination and waterlogging the soil at 20 cm depth, (2) mowing the aboveground part ofS. alterniflorain the later stages of vegetative growth and continuedwaterlogging, and (3) repeating mowing and waterlogging in the second year. In order to prevent secondary invasion, it is necessary to simultaneously implement the same technique in theadjacentS. alterniflora growth area.

Key words: soil fertility improvement, film mulched ridge-furrow planting, synergistic effect, partial factor productivity (PFP), WUE