Defoliation effects on yield and bud and tiller numbers of two Sandhills grasses
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Authors: J. J. Mullahey, S. S. Waller, and L. E. Moser
Date: 1991
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 44
Number: 3
Pages: 241-245
Summary of Methods: Researchers applied various timings and frequencies of simulated grazing to sand bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia) plants over three years, to determine initial and cumulative responses of these grasses to different grazing management techniques. Effects of defoliation effects after the first year were small but sometimes beneficial, dry matter yield varied by species, grazing frequency and precipitation levels and the number of buds and tillers were not affected. However, after three years of defoliation, dry matter yields of both plant species were reduced by treatments with three defoliations or a single August defoliation. Sand bluestem yield, tiller and bud numbers were maximized with a single June or July defoliation while yield, tiller and bud numbers of prairie sandreed were maximized with a twice yearly (June and August) defoliation frequency. Therefore, the authors suggested that grazing managers utilize pastures containing these species one time in June and that multiple defoliations within season were not recommended for long-term sustainability of these plant species.
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 gerardii, prairie sandreed, calamovilfa longifolia, clipping frequency, forage yield, grazing management
Annotation: Plants were clipped to 7-cm one time (either June 10th, July 10th, and August 10th), two times (June 10th and August 10th), or three times (June 10th, July 10th, and August 10th) during the summer. All plants were harvested in October.
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