Gas exchange of Idaho fescue in response to defoliation and grazing history
-
-
Authors: P. S. Doescher, T. J. Svejcar, and R. G. Jaindl
Date: 1997
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 50
Number: 3
Pages: 285-289
Summary of Methods: Doescher et al. measured the effects of simulated herbivory on photosynthesis, water conductance, xylem potential and carbon isotope ratios of Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) plants, removed from grazed or ungrazed pastures. All plants exposed to simulated herbivory during the study had greater photosynthesis and water conductance, which allowed plants to compensate for loss of photosynthetic area. Plants from grazed pastures had greater water conductance and carbon isotope ratios than plants taken from non-grazed pastures, indicating that plants with a history of grazing used water less efficiently. These authors concluded that previous grazing does affect plant response to future herbivory and speculated that the reduced water use efficiency of plants defoliated prior to and during the study may be a compensatory mechanism of grazed plants, although this theory would require further study.
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: photosynthesis, water use efficiency, idaho fescue, festuca idahoensis, simulated grazing, compensatory photosynthesis
Annotation: Ten plants from each collection area were selected at random and assigned to either a defoliation or no defoliation treatment. Approximately 60-70% of the tillers of plants in the defoliated treatment were clipped on April 22, 1992 and May 19, 1993. Defoliated plants were clipped at 5 cm above the ground to simulate livestock grazing. Plant measurements were measured for defoliated and nondefoliated plants on April 24, May 6, June 23, and July 6, 1992; and on June 17 and July 28, 1993.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-