Contribution of flexible allocation priorities to herbivory tolerance in C4 perennial grasses: An evaluation with 13C labeling
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Authors: D. D. Briske, T. W. Boutton, and Z. Wang
Date: 1996
Journal: Oecologia
Volume: 105
Number:
Pages: 151-159
Summary of Methods: In an experiment at Texas A & M, Briske et al. found the tallgrass, A. geradii, exhibited inflexible allocation priorities, while the shortgrass, B. rigidiseta, exhibited flexible allocation priorities in response to defoliation, which corresponded with their initial designations as herbivory-sensitive and herbivory tolerant species, respectively. The concentration of 13C within new leaves of S. scoparium increased in response to a single defoliation, while the percentage and concentration of 13C within roots was reduced. Selective herbivory may contribute to S. scoparium's designation as an herbivory-sensitive species, even though it possesses flexible allocation priorities in response to defoliation. Alternatively, the recognized herbivory resistance of A. purpurea may be a consequence of infrequent and/or lenient herbivory associated with the expression of avoidance mechanisms.
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: c4 perennial grasses, grazing resistance, carbon allocation, herbivory tolerance, andropogon geradii, schizachyrium scoparium, aristida purpurea, bouteloua rigidiseta
Annotation: Measurements were taken from four perennial grasses at 6 hours, 72 hours, and 168 hours following exposure to 12CO2.,Clippers were used to remove 60% of the shoot weight from each of the species. Season of use is not specified.
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