Prosopis glandulosa growth: Influence of nutrients and simulated grazing of Bouteloua curtipendula
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Authors: O. W. Van Auken, and K. J. Bush
Date: 1989
Journal: Ecology
Volume: 70
Number: 2
Pages: 512-516
Summary of Methods: Van Auken and Bush determined the effects of inter-plant and resource competition on the growth of Prosopis glandulosa, when this shrub was grown in experimental plots with clipped or unclipped Bouteloua curtipendula grass plants. Clipping reduced the biomass of B. curtipendula and increased the biomass of P. glandulosa, suggesting that grazing may enhance the growth and encroachment of shrub species, such as Prosopis glandulosa, in grass-dominated plant communities. The addition of fertilizer to the soil enhanced the growth and competitive ability of grass plants, thus reducing the growth of P. glandulosa. These results indicate that P. glandulosa will grow quickly in grazed plant communities, especially when soil nutrients are limiting, however, the authors suggest that an established stand of B. curtipendula may be more resistant to invasion by P. glandulosa than the even-aged, young stand used in this study.
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: simulated herbivory, honey mesquite, sideoats grama, competition, fertilizer, soil nutrient availability
Annotation: Seeds were collected from mesquite trees in the field and grass seeds were purchased. Plants were then grown in a greenhouse where simulated grazing and nutrient treatments were applied. Bouteloua curtipendula plants were clipped to 5 cm one time a week throughout the experiment.
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