Tiller dispersion in populations of the bunchgrass Schizachyrium scoparium: Implications for herbivory tolerance
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Authors: D. D. Briske, and V. J. Anderson
Date: 1990
Journal: Oikos
Volume: 59
Number:
Pages: 50-56
Summary of Methods: Briske and Anderson measured the effects of defoliation on tiller characteristics and plant production in Schizachyrium scoparium gardens planted at different levels of tiller dispersion, but equal tiller density. Gardens planted at intermediate and maximum dispersion levels had greater increases in tiller density, basal area, and annual production, during the study, than gardens planted at minimum dispersion levels. Defoliation did not affect tiller or annual biomass production, but enhanced xylem water pressure potential and stomatal conductance. The results of this study suggest that tiller dispersion does not affect the response of S. scoparium to defoliation and that this species is capable of recovering from short-term heavy grazing events, without decreased plant production.
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: plant height, plant density, tiller density, defoliation, population structure, plant production
Annotation: Approximately 70% of the above-ground biomass was removed with clippers from all plants within one-half of the plots in mid-April, early June, mid-August, and early October to simulate herbivory.,Baseline data were collected in September 1986.,Plant responses were monitored by estimating tiller number and basal area on each plant within a plot in June and October.
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