Clipping effects on growth dynamics of Japanese brome
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Authors: M. R. Haferkamp, and M. G. Karl
Date: 1999
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 52
Number: 4
Pages: 339-345
Summary of Methods: This three-year greenhouse study in eastern Montana examined the plant height, biomass and number of tillers of Japanese brome when plants were clipped to a height of 75 mm or 150 mm, weekly or biweekly. Five clipping treatments (including control treatment) were applied for a 65 to 70 day period. Leaf height was measured from the soil surface to the tip of the longest leaf and tiller numbers were counted and documented every week before clipping treatments were applied. Seed heads emerged soon after clipping began in two years (1992 and 1997) of three. Total above and below ground production was determined by clipping plants to the designated height and then harvesting above ground production by removing it at the soil surface 84 days after each trial began.
Article Summary / Main Points: Clipping vegetative plants reduced the number of tillers and total leaf height, though clipping plant with reproductive shoots increased the number of tillers and reduced total leaf height. Plants clipped to 75 mm yielded less above ground biomass than plants clipped to 150 mm. Furthermore, increasing the frequency of both clippings resulted in a reduction in above ground biomass. Plants clipped to 75 mm also produced less belowground biomass than plants clipped to 150 mm. While increasing the frequency of clipping did not generally affect belowground biomass production. To reduce total biomass, seed production and decrease the population of Japanese brome it should be heavy grazing or intensive clipping, ideally prior to seed head emergence.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: bromus japonicus, controlled environment, clipping intensity, clipping frequency, plant height, plant biomass, tiller count, japanese brome
Annotation: This greenhouse study is the key to understanding when and how to graze this species and potentially other cool season annuals to achieve grazing management goals.
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