Composition and soil–environment analysis of prairies on Walpole Island, southwestern Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2410-2419 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Faber-Langendoen ◽  
P. F. Maycock
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Environment Analysis ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Fragaria Virginiana ◽  
Profile Characteristics

Extensive prairie communities on Walpole Island Indian Reserve in Lake St. Clair, southwestern Ontario, were sampled for vegetation and soil profile characteristics. Two hundred and fifty-two species were found in the 20 stands. Dominant grasses included Calamagrostis canadensis, Andropogon gerardii, Sorghastrum nutans, Panicum virgatum, Poa pratensis, and Spartina pectinata. Dominant forbs were Pycnanthemum virginianum, Liatris spicata, Fragaria virginiana, Lysimachia quadriflora, and Viola papilionacea. Stands were ordered along a recognized moisture–substrate gradient divided into four segments; dry-mesic sandy, mesic sandy loam, wet-mesic sandy loam, and wet loam. Many species showed preferences for certain regions of the gradient. Species richness ranged between 44 and 91 species per stand. The composition of the vegetation was summarized for the four segments, using prevalent species lists. Effectiveness of the direct gradient analysis was assessed by ordination using reciprocal averaging and polar ordination. Percent sand, percent organic matter, and depth of A horizon were significant correlates of the primary axis. Frequent burning of the prairie by the Indians has effectively maintained these prairies. The composition of the Walpole Island prairies is similar to those in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, forming part of the eastern tallgrass prairie.

scholarly journals Vascular Plant Communities of the Green River Lowlands in Northwestern Illinois

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 39-78
Author(s):  
John E. Ebinger ◽  
Loy R. Phillippe ◽  
William C. Handel ◽  
Connie J. Cunningham ◽  
William E. McClain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Green River ◽  
Calamagrostis Canadensis ◽  
Spartina Pectinata ◽  
Vegetation Zones ◽  
Fragaria Virginiana ◽  
Amorpha Canescens

A few high-quality prairies still exist in the sand deposits of the Green River Lowlands. The most extensive remnants are in the Green River State Wildlife Area, Lee County, Illinois. Three upland prairie communities were surveyed; a dry sand prairie dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium, Ambrosia psilostachya, and Amorpha canescens; a dry-mesic sand prairie dominated by Sorghastrum nutans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Antennaria plantaginifolia, and Liatris aspera; and a mesic sand prairie where Sorghastrum nutans and Andropogon gerardii were the dominant grasses, and Parthenium integrifolium, Fragaria virginiana, Liatris pycnostachya, and Euthamia gymnospermoides the common forbs. The lowlands, which included approximately 325 ha, were dominated by the exotic Phalaris arundinacea, but high-quality wet sand prairie, sedge meadow, and marsh communities existed. The wet sand prairies were dominated by Spartina pectinata, Helianthus grosseserratus, and Solidago canadensis; the sedge meadows were dominated by Carex haydenii, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Persicaria coccinea; the marsh communities were divided into distinct vegetation zones. These vegetation zones were surveyed in 2002 and subjected to an extensive uncontrolled fire in 2005. Surveys completed in 2006 and 2007 were used to determine successional changes resulting from the fire. These studies suggested that most communities were returning to the species composition found before the 2005 fire.

Identifying Native Prairie Grass Seedlings

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 450e-451
Author(s):  
Virginia A. Gaynor ◽  
Mary Hockenberry Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Native Prairie ◽  
Switch Grass ◽  
Little Bluestem ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Central United States ◽  
Prairie Restorations ◽  
Sideoats Grama

There is great interest in prairie gardens and prairie restorations in the central United States. Small prairie gardens are often established with plugs, but most restorationists and landscape contractors use seed for large plantings. If initial establishment is poor, restorations are often interseeded the second or third season. However, to evaluate early establishment and determine if interseeding is necessary, contractors must be able to identify native grasses in the seedling and juvenile stages. In this study we investigated vegetative characteristics of native prairie grass seedlings. Seven species of native prairie grass were grown in the greenhouse: Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem), Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass), Panicum virgatum (switch grass), Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye), and Bromus kalmii (Kalmís brome). Every 2 to 3 weeks after germination, seedlings were photographed, pressed, and mounted. Additional photographs were taken through the dissecting scope at key stages of development. Ligules and auricles were found to be useful in distinguishing species, and our close-up photographs highlight these structures. Hairiness and color were variable within a species and could not be used reliably in identification. A seedling identification key will be presented for the species studied.

scholarly journals Corn Grain and Stover Nutrient Uptake Responses from Sandy Soil Treated with Designer Biochars and Compost

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 942
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Novak ◽  
Donald W. Watts ◽  
Gilbert C. Sigua ◽  
Thomas F. Ducey
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Corn Stover ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement ◽  
Corn Grain

Biochars are used for soil fertility improvement because they may contain certain elements that plants use as nutrients. However, few studies have demonstrated enhanced crop nutrient uptake. Our study examined nutrient uptake responses of corn (Zea Mays L.) grain and stover over 4 years (Y) after a Goldsboro sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, sub-active, thermic Aquic Paleudults) received different designer biochars and a compost. The designer biochars were produced from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) chip (PC), poultry litter (PL), blends with switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum), and a SG compost alone. Topsoil treated with 100% PL biochar and blended PC:PL biochar had significantly greater Mehlich 1 (M1) extractable P, K and Na contents compared to the control or other treatments. No significant differences were detected in annual grain nutrient concentrations. In the first corn stover harvest (Y1), significantly greater concentrations of P and K were taken up after treatment with 100% PL biochar, with PC:PL blend and with SG when compared to control. By the fourth corn stover harvest (Y4), nutrient uptake between treatments was not significantly different. Biochar impact on corn stover P, K and Na concentrations was time dependent, suggesting that repeated biochar applications may be needed.

scholarly journals Trigonelline Accumulation in Leaves of Panicum virgatum Seedlings

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1400900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Schwartz ◽  
Andrew J. Wood ◽  
David J. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Water Deficit ◽  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Water Deficit Stress ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Moisture Treatment ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Tallgrass Prairies ◽  
Response To Water ◽  
Physiological Markers

Panicum virgatum is a dominant, native, perennial species found in the tallgrass prairie. In this study, we report the biosynthesis and accumulation of trigonelline (TRG) in leaves of P. virgatum in response to water-deficit stress. Once established, half of the seedlings underwent a drought stress treatment while the other half were watered daily (control). Relative water content (RWC) and trigonelline (TRG) concentrations were determined. RWC showed an interaction between moisture treatment and time, in which upland cultivars had the highest mean RWC compared with the lowland cultivars. The moisture treatments showed a significant difference in TRG concentration across all P. virgatum cultivars, which ranged from 0.5–31.8 μg/gFW−1. There was a divergence in TRG accumulation between upland and lowland cultivars in relation to RWC. This study is the first to report TRG accumulation in the grass P. virgatum, and to test for differences in TRG with respect to water-deficit stress among cultivars. The effect of soil moisture levels on cultivars may be important in making an informed selection and the response of P. virgatum and other dominant grasses should be considered as a potential filter in tallgrass prairies for restoration. Physiological markers such as TRG and RWC can aid in this decision making process.

scholarly journals Rotation with Cover Crops Suppresses Weeds and Increases Plant Density and Yield of Strawberry

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1363-1366
Author(s):  
Dennis N. Portz ◽  
Gail R. Nonnecke
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Strawberry Plant ◽  
Rudbeckia Hirta ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass ◽  
A Site

Yield of strawberry grown continuously on the same site often declines over time as a result of proliferation of weed seeds and pathogenic organisms in the soil. Plots were established and maintained in seven different cover crops and as continuous strawberry or continuous tillage for 10 years (1996 to 2005) in a site that was previously in strawberry production for 10 years (1986 to 1995). Cover crops included blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), sorghum Sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), and Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash]. Treatments were ended in 2005 and plots were planted with ‘Honeoye’ strawberry in a matted row. Effectiveness of soil pretreatments in reducing weed populations and enhancing strawberry production was evaluated for four growing seasons by quantifying weed growth by type and biomass and strawberry plant density and yield. The results indicate that matted-row strawberry production plots that were either in continuous tillage or established in S. bicolor, P. virgatum, or A. gerardii before planting strawberry had lower weed biomass and greater strawberry plant establishment and yield than plots established in L. perenne or R. hirta or that had supported continuous strawberry production.

scholarly journals Amendements on Salinity and Water Retention of Sand Base Rootzone and Turfgrass Yield

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahayu Rahayu ◽  
Yang Geun Mo ◽  
Choi Joon Soo
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Bottom Ash ◽  
Bottom Layer ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Saline Irrigation ◽  
Growing Media

This research was column pot experiment with turfgrass was Kentucky bluegrass (<em>Poa pratensis</em>) plant irrigated saline irrigation and the column soaked in saline water. Rootzone profile consisted of 20 cm using saline lake dredged up sand. The sand amendments of the root zone were soil, zeolite, bottom ash, and peat. The mixtures of topsoil were; 90% sand + 10% peat moss, 80% sand + 10% soil + 10 % bottom ash, 80% sand + 20% soil, 90% sand + 5% peat + 5% zeolite, and 80% sand + 20% bottom ash. Interruption layer with coarse sand with diameters over 2 mm of 20 cm and 10 cm loamy soil as the bottom layer of the column. The result showed that Kentucky bluegrass could grow in sand based growing media amended by peat, sandy loam soils, bottom ash and zeolite being irrigated by 2 dS m<sup>-1</sup> saline water. Sand-based growing media amended by peat resulted in the highest clipping weigh but showed the highest salt accumulations. Sand amended by bottom ash and applied gypsum decreased clipping weigh, decreased SAR and increased calcium (Ca) when compared to the soil + peat (SP).  Sand amended by zeolite and gypsum decreased clipping weight, decreased sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and higher Ca. Higher soil moisture retention of growing media promoted the growth of Kentucky bluegrass in spring, and lower moisture content promoted the growth in summer and fall season.

Differential response of 14 weed species to seven herbicides in two plant communities

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Tomkins ◽  
W. F. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Fragaria Virginiana ◽  
Vicia Cracca ◽  
Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid

The responses of 14 weed species to seven different herbicides were compared. The species included five monocots: Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv., Agrostis alba L., Carex gracilescens Mack., Phleum pratense L., and Poa pratensis L.; and nine dicots: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Aster cordifolius L., Fragaria virginiana Duchesne, Oxalis europaea Jord., Pastinaca sativa L., Solidago canadensis L., S. nemoralis Ait., Taraxacum officinale Weber, and Vicia cracca L. A principal component analysis revealed that species responses to four auxin herbicides ((2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D), picloram, picloram + 2,4-D, and 2,4-D + (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4,5-T)) were very similar, although picloram was more effective in eliminating Aster cordifolius, Fragaria virginiana, Solidago nemoralis, and Vicia cracca. Auxin response differed markedly between monocots and dicots, whereas life-form was important in determining the response of the species to paraquat, simazine, and diuron treatments. Response to herbicide treatment was similar in both pioneer and mature old-field communities. However, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis were susceptible to all auxin treatments in the pioneer community but were resistant to the same treatments in mature fields.

TOLERANCE OF SOME TURFGRASS SPECIES TO DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SALT IN SOILS

1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. CORDUKES ◽  
A. J. MACLEAN
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Leaf Tissue ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Salt Addition

Addition of CaCl2∙2H2O at the rate of 2,000 ppm to give a conductivity of 7.2 mmhos/cm in a saturated paste extract of three soils varying in texture from sand to clay loam had no apparent effects on the quality of turf of Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra L., and perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., grown in pot tests. When the rate was increased to 8,000 ppm and the conductivity to about 20 mmhos/cm, the turfgrass deteriorated markedly in the clay loam and the sandy loam and to a lesser degree in the sand. All species reacted similarly to the detrimental effect of salt in the soils, and the deterioration in turf quality was accompanied by a decline in root production. The concentration of chloride in leaf tissue usually increased with increasing amounts of salt in the soils and tended to be highest in perennial ryegrass and lowest in creeping red fescue. At the higher rates of salt addition, the amounts of chloride in the turfgrass tended to be lower on the sand than on the other soils.

Competition and coexistence in grassland codominants: responses to neighbour removal and resource availability

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M Silletti ◽  
Alan K Knapp ◽  
John M Blair
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Andropogon Gerardii ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Konza Prairie ◽  
Plant Removal ◽  
Anthropogenic Alterations ◽  
Prairie Plant

We examined the role of interspecific competition in the regulation of abundance and coexistence of the dominant grasses in tallgrass prairie using a removal experiment with Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Sorghastrum nutans L. Nash, two of the most abundant grasses in tallgrass prairie. Plant removal treatments (using foliar herbicide), applied to 0.3-m2 plots at the Konza Prairie Biological Station (northeast Kansas, USA), included removal of all A. gerardii, removal of all S. nutans, and no removal. To determine whether soil fertility altered the outcome, we included a fertilizer addition treatment (10 g N·m–2) fully crossed with the removal treatments. Andropogon gerardii removal resulted in significantly increased net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and tiller mass in S. nutans. Sorghastrum nutans removal had little effect on A. gerardii, suggesting asymmetric competition. Fertilizer significantly increased tiller mass and flowering stalk production in S. nutans, but had little effect on A. gerardii. The ability of A. gerardii to suppress the performance of S. nutans is consistent with the greater abundance of A. gerardii over much of the tallgrass prairie, while the ability of S. nutans to take advantage of increased resources may be one mechanism by which it avoids competitive exclusion. Because of the greater variability in the performance of S. nutans than in that of A. gerardii, any natural or anthropogenic alterations to this grassland that lead to shifts in dominance between these species may affect ecosystem productivity and stability.Key words: Andropogon gerardii, competition, grassland, neighbour removal, photosynthesis, Sorghastrum nutans, tallgrass prairie.

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