Tiller recruitment and mortality in the dryland bunchgrass Eragrostis curvula as affected by defoliation intensity
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Authors: C. Wan, and R. E. Sosebee
Date: 2002
Journal: Journal of the Arid Environment
Volume: 51
Number:
Pages: 577-585
Summary of Methods: Wan and Sosebee measured the effects of moderate and severe simulated herbivory on weeping lovegrass tiller dynamics. Perimeter and interior tiller recruitment and tiller and leaf weight were greater for plants that were moderately clipped than for plants that were severely clipped. Tiller senescence began 13 weeks after clipping; tiller senescence occurred much faster on interior tillers and in the plants that were severely clipped. These results suggest that moderate grazing of weeping lovegrass plants would not reduce central dieback but would enhance tiller production, whereas, severe grazing would be detrimental to tiller recruitment and plant health and would not likely be a sustainable management practice for these plants.
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, grazing impacts, central dieback of tussock, weeping lovegrass, hollow crown, tiller dynamics
Annotation: Plants grew in a greenhouse environment in individual pots.
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