Defoliation of a northern wheatgrass community: Aboveground and belowground phytomass productivity
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Authors: J. Zhang, and J. T. Romo
Date: 1994
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 47
Number: 4
Pages: 279-284
Summary of Methods: Native northern wheatgrass range was defoliated at different frequencies (2 or 6 weeks) beginning in May, June, July or August, for 3 consecutive years to determine the effects on above- and below-ground plant yield. Defoliation reduced above-ground residual phytomass, however, plants that were defoliated earlier in the season, or more frequently, had less phytomass than those defoliated later in the season or less frequently. Clipping decreased below-ground phytomass and root and rhizome weight. However, plants clipped earlier in the season had greater below-ground phytomass when defoliated every 2 weeks, while plants clipped later in the season had greater below-ground phytomass when defoliated every 6 weeks. The authors concluded that managing northern wheatgrass mixed-prairie for multiple and/or early season defoliation would not be sustainable and suggest that a single grazing event, after July, should help to maintain productivity.
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 dasystachyum, northern wheatgrass, grazing, litter, mixed prairie, regrowth, roots, yield
Annotation: Clipping treatments varied frequency and start date of clipping. Plants were clipped to a 5cm stubble height every 2 or 6 weeks starting in May, June, July, or August and ending in September.
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