Root and shoot responses of sand bluestem to defoliation
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Authors: R. K. Engel, J. T. Nichols, and J. L. Dodd
Date: 1998
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 51
Number: 1
Pages: 42-46
Summary of Methods: Root weight, area, and length of sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) in Nebraska were reduced by defoliation during the growing season, with multiple defoliations having 2-3 times the impact than a single defoliation in June (the least detrimental). There was no difference in the concentration of TNC (total non-structural carbohydrates) between treatments, although TNC weight in the roots was reduced by 34% and 12% for multiple and single defoliation, respectively. Above-ground production was not affected by a single year defoliation (single or multiple), but the effects on roots could reduce plants ability to absorb water and nutrients and reduce its competitiveness. Grazing sand bluestem during the dormant season or once during the early part of the growing season should be least detrimental.
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: sand bluestem, andropogon hallii, total non-structural carbohydrates (tnc), clipping, root area, root length
Annotation: Plants were clipped to 7 cm stubble height.,Plants were grown in containers in a greenhouse for three weeks and transplanted to the field. October defoliated plants served as control.
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