Soil and plant water relations in a crested wheatgrass pasture: response to spring grazing by cattle
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Authors: J. M. Wraith
Date: 1987
Journal: Oecologia
Volume: 73
Number:
Pages: 573-578
Summary of Methods: Wraith et al. compared soil moisture and plant water status on grazed and ungrazed portions of a 10-paddock, short duration grazing system, on established crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) pastures. Soil moisture in the top 130 cm of the soil profile was depleted more rapidly in ungrazed plots than in grazed plots, during the spring and early summer. Soil moisture depletion was more rapid in grazed plots in one paddock after July 1 due to differential regrowth, but there was no difference in soil water depletion between plots in another paddock during the same period. Prior to July 1, grazing had no effect on predawn leaf water potentials, as estimated by a pressure chamber technique. However, after July 1, predawn leaf water potentials were lower for ungrazed plants. Midday leaf water potentials were lower for grazed plants before July 1, but did not differ between grazed and ungrazed plants after July 1.
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: soil moisture, water balance, leaf water potentials, defoliation, spring grazing, crested wheatgrass (agropyron cristatum)
Annotation: Grazing cycle: 2-day rotation through each pasture; with 1 day rotation during the final cycle; Paddock 7: 24/25 April, 14/15 May, 3 June; Paddock 2: 2/3 May, 22/23 May, 7 June
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