Application of seed-containing plant material is a major technique to transfer plant species onto restoration sites. The present study intended to clarify the effects of application timing and the amounts of the plant material on the subsequent vegetation development. Plant material mown from a semi-natural grassland, where Miscanthus sinensis dominated, was taken in late October. Harvested material was scattered onto soil in three different dates ( November, March and July) and two levels of amounts (app. 500 g/m2 and volume-reduced to app. 250 g/m2). A total of 23 target species appear ed from the plant material, which includes most of flowering species, species flowered earlier in the donor site, and those flower ing or flowered nearby. Thicker litter inhibited the emergence of non-target species, while neither positive nor negative effect on the richness and the cover of target species. Under thicker-litter treatment, Lespedeza pilosa was a primary dominant species at any application timing. The number of target species was not associated with the timing of application, although occurrence of several target species was inhibited in July-application treatment. This study demonstrated that thicker-litter treatment is preferable for the better restoration outcome, while effect of application timing appeared less important.
