Soluble carbohydrates, concurrent photosynthesis and efficiency in regrowth following defoliation: A field study with Agropyron species
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Authors: J. H. Richards, and M. M. Caldwell
Date: 1985
Journal: Journal of Applied Ecology
Volume: 22
Number: 3
Pages: 907-920
Summary of Methods: Richards and Caldwell compare etiolated growth, carbohydrate pools and regrowth efficiency of Agropyron desertorum and Agropyron spicatum. A. desertorum consistently produced more regrowth in the absence of photosynthesis than A. spicatum, but a severe preclipping treatment did not significantly reduce etiolated regrowth in either species. Differences in regrowth between and within species were not correlated with crown non-structural carbohydrate concentrations, total pools, or amounts of utilized during regrowth. In uncovered plants, photosynthesis produced most of the carbon required for regrowth after defoliation while carbon for dark regrowth came from total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) pools and other non-photosynthetic carbon sources such as nitrogenous compounds, organic acids, and structural carbohydrates. Therefore, the authors conclude that A. desertorum is more grazing tolerant than A. spicatum, probably due to it's greater regrowth efficiency and ability to reallocate carbon, and that contrary to popular belief, TNC pools are not the major source of carbon used for plant regrowth after grazing.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: agropyron desertorum, agropyron spicatum, stored carbon, etiolated growth, carbohydrate reserves, carbon allocation, photosynthesis
Annotation: Plants of each species were randomly assigned to control or preclipping treatments and to date of initiation of etiolated growth. The preclipping treatment removed approximately 85% of the photosynthetic surface (5-7 cm stubble) on April 30 and May 14, 1981. Etiolated regrowth was initiated for 5 control plants of each species on March 16 and April 16, and for 5 preclipped plants of each species on May 27, June 18, July 30, and October 27, 1981. Etiolated growth was initiated by severely defoliating the plant and covering the tussock with an opaque plastic container.,Plants used for gas exchange measurements were severely defoliated by removing all foliage above 8-cm height and removing all remaining leaf blades.
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