Effects of mycorrhizae, phosphorus availability, and plant density on yield relationships among competing tallgrass prairie grasses

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. D. Hetrick ◽  
D. C. Hartnett ◽  
G. W. T. Wilson ◽  
D. J. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Phosphorus Availability ◽  
Andropogon Gerardii ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Competitive Release ◽  
Elymus Canadensis

A replacement series experiment was used to investigate the effects of mycorrhizae, phosphorus availability, and plant density on competitive relationships between three tallgrass prairie species of varying mycorrhizal dependencies. Under mycorrhizal conditions, the obligately mycorrhizal dependent warm-season grass Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) was a better competitor in mixture with the nonmycorrhiza-dependent cool-season grass Koeleria pyramidata (Junegrass). In the absence of mycorrhizae, however, competitive effects of big bluestem were greatly reduced and Junegrass experienced competitive release. Relative yield totals increased when mycorrhizae were suppressed, suggesting greater intensity of interspecific competition in the presence of mycorrhizae. Thus, the competitive dominance of big bluestem in tallgrass prairie is strongly related to its mycorrhizal status. Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye) outcompeted big bluestem both with and without mycorrhizae. Relative yield totals of this species mixture were also lower under mycorrhizal conditions, indicating that mycorrhizae increase the intensity of interspecific competition between them. Relative yields of wild rye competing with big bluestem increased in the absence of mycorrhizae, suggesting that it also experiences competitive release when big blue-stem are not mycorrhizal. The outcomes of competition were generally similar among the three total plant density treatments and between P-fertilized and nonfertilized treatments. However, interactions between mycorrhizal effects and plant density confirm that outcomes of interspecific competitive interactions may be density dependent in some cases. Key words: arbuscular mycorrhizae, de Wit replacement series, Andropogon gerardii, Elymus canadensis, Koeleria pyramidata.

Land cover change in eastern Kansas: litter dynamics of closed-canopy eastern redcedar forests in tallgrass prairie

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D Norris ◽  
John M Blair ◽  
Loretta C Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Lignin Content ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Andropogon Gerardii ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Eastern Redcedar ◽  
Litter Dynamics

In the Great Plains region, eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) abundance has increased dramatically in areas historically occupied by tallgrass prairie. This shift in dominant vegetation is likely to be accompanied by changes in ecosystem structure and function, including quantity, quality, and location (above- vs. below-ground) of litter inputs and subsequent effects on decomposition dynamics. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare patterns of litterfall and decomposition in mature redcedar forests and adjacent prairie. Annual redcedar litterfall was 500 g·m-2·year-1, a large increase in foliar litter inputs compared with annually burned grassland (52 g·m-2·year-1). Using a reciprocal transplant decomposition study with four substrates, redcedar leaves and roots, and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) foliage and roots, we found marginal habitat effects, but greater differences between species, presumably owing to litter quality (including both C:N and lignin content). Decay rates were significantly higher in the prairie relative to the forest for each substrate. Additionally, within any particular habitat, grass litter had significantly faster decay rates than forest litter. These results suggest a shift in patterns of litter input and decomposition processes with afforestation of tallgrass prairie, which may result in long-term changes in C sequestration and storage.Key words: litter dynamics, eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), decomposition, tallgrass prairie, nitrogen immobilization.

Distribution of polyploid variation in big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii, Poaceae) across the tallgrass prairie region

Genome ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen H. Keeler
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Missouri River ◽  
Andropogon Gerardii ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Native Prairie ◽  
Dna Values ◽  
River Plants ◽  
Prairie West ◽  
East West

The objective of this research was to describe the distribution of polyploid cytotypes of the grass big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) along an east–west transect across the tallgrass prairie region, as an integral part of understanding the function of intraspecific polyploid polymorphism. Andropogon gerardii shows intraspecific variation in amount of nuclear DNA as a result of intraspecific polyploidy. Nearly 600 plants from 15 prairies in 5 states were collected and nuclear DNA was determined by flow cytometry. In the eastern part of the tallgrass prairie region, higher polyploids were rarely found. However, at the western edge of the tallgrass prairie, west of the Missouri River, plants with high nuclear DNA values comprised about half of the plants sampled and in one native prairie formed 82% of the population. Although big bluestem is historically the dominant grass throughout this region, it is extremely variable only on the western extreme of region.Key words: polyploidy, polymorphism, big bluestem, Poaceae, Andropogon gerardii, tallgrass prairie.

scholarly journals Drought and Ozone Stress Effects on Competition among Selected Prairie Grass Species and Giant Foxtail

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Endress ◽  
Anton G. Endress ◽  
Louis R. Iverson
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Leaf Number ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Giant Foxtail ◽  
The Impact

Differential responses of species to environmental stress may interfere with restoration of prairie ecosystems or change community structure. The impact of increasing atmospheric ozone (O3) concentrations and/or low water on the growth of Andropogon gerardii Vitm. (big bluestem) and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash (indian grass), two common warm-season native grasses, and Setaria faberi Herrm. (giant foxtail), a vigorous annual weed species, were studied in replacement series. Giant foxtail grew better than either big bluestem or indian grass under all tested conditions. The leaf areas of all three species were primarily controlled by water availability. Big bluestem and indian grass accumulated biomass equally well under high water availability, but with low water, indian grass accumulated more biomass than did bluestem. Three-way analysis of variance showed biomass, leaf area, and leaf number differed among species; low water was significant in all cases except for indian grass leaf area; and the O3 effect was significant only in the case of foxtail biomass. The interaction of O3 concentration and low water was significant only for indian grass biomass and leaf number; the interaction of species combination and low water was significant only for big bluestem leaf area and biomass. Relative yield calculations indicated that under conditions of elevated O3 and low water, big bluestem was the least competitive, while indian grass was most competitive. Intraspecific competition was common, each species apparently utilizing the environment in different ways. The results also suggest that giant foxtail at a low relative density may be used as a nurse species in prairie restorations as growth of big bluestem and indian grass were improved when in mixtures with foxtail.

scholarly journals Competition Indices Identify Forb Species That Promote Overyielding of a Dominant Grass in Grassland Restoration

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Drew A. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Andropogon Gerardii ◽  
Grassland Restoration ◽  
Prairie Restoration ◽  
Desmanthus Illinoensis ◽  
Appearance Rate ◽  
Lespedeza Capitata ◽  
Tallgrass Prairie Restoration ◽  
Dominant Grass

Overyielding is a common phenomenon. Overyielding of dominant grasses when in competition with common forbs during grassland restoration could lead to lower plant diversity. My objective was to characterize overyielding of Andropogon gerardii in competition with fcommon forbs. I collected soils representing different stages of restoration (0, 4, and 16 years restored) and conducted a pairwise competition experiment with a dominant grass, Andropogon gerardii, in competition with four subordinate forbs (Oligoneuron rigidum L., Liatris punctata Hook, Lespedeza capitata Michx., or Desmanthus illinoensis Michx.). Relative yield indices (RY) were calculated by comparison with a two-individual monoculture of A. gerardii with both per grass biomass and per grass net absolute tiller appearance rate (TAR). Overyielding of A. gerardii was in competition with Oligoneuron rigidum was indicated by RY values (greater than1) using both biomass and TAR measurements. These findings suggest that O. rigidum should be given low priority for inclusion in tallgrass prairie restoration seed mixes.

Imazapic Effects on Competition Dynamics Between Native Perennial Grasses and Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayla A. Burnett ◽  
Brian A. Mealor
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Downy Brome ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Application Timing ◽  
Ecosystem Disturbance ◽  
Series Design ◽  
Species Establishment ◽  
Negative Impacts

AbstractDowny brome inhibits revegetation efforts following ecosystem disturbance. Imazapic is a commonly used herbicide for downy brome management, but more information is needed regarding effective application timing for restoration efforts. We wished to determine (1) if native species establishment exhibited a tradeoff between downy brome competition and injury from herbicide and (2) if this differed between pre- and postemergent applications of imazapic. We used a standard replacement series design and overlaid herbicide treatments. Nine weeks after planting, aboveground biomass was harvested and relative yield (RY) indices calculated. Both imazapic applications reduced downy brome biomass by 91% or more (P < 0.05). Imazapic caused drastic reductions in native biomass but less than what was caused by downy brome competition (P < 0.05). Natives were less injured by a pre- than postemergent application (P < 0.05). In situations where downy brome may impact restoration efforts, pre-emergent applications of imazapic at 70 g ai ha−1 (0.06 lb ai ac−1) may reduce downy brome with less negative impacts on newly-seeded native grasses than post-emergent applications. Ensuring sufficient proportions of native species seeds on restoration sites may reduce downy brome.

scholarly journals Plant size, nutrient composition and biomass productivity of oats and faba bean in intercropping, and the effect of controlling Rhopalosiphum padi (Hom., Aphididae) on these properties

1990 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Helenius
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Rhopalosiphum Padi ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Biomass Productivity ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Damage Function ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Replacement Series

Effects of mixed intercropping on plant size, content of mineral nutrients and biomass yields were examined in three field experiments in Southern Finland in 1983—1985. The stand types were monocrops and replacement series of mixtures with 2/3 and 1/3 or 1/3 and 2/3 of oats (Avena sativa) and faba bean (Vicia faba), respectively. In one of the experiments control of R. padi, by means of deltamethrin sprayings, was an additional experimental factor having two levels. The height of stems or the above ground biomass of oats either were not affected or were increased by crop diversification. Bean plants remained smaller in the mixtures than in the monocrop. In plant size, there was a significant interaction between stand type and the effect of aphicide spraying: Oat benefitted most from being grown in the mixture containing most bean, and there was an indication (not statistically significant) that in these mixtures bean had proportionately higher weight loss. This result was interpreted as giving some support to the hypothesis of interspecific compensation between oats and bean against aphid damage to oats. In oats, the content of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg all decreased from the stage of inflorescence emergence to the stage of the onset of milk development. Mixed cropping increased the content in oats of all these nutrients except Ca. At the same time, contents of P and K in bean were decreased. The changes in growth form and composition in oats induced by intercropping are discussed from the point of view of host plant relationship and damage function of the aphid pest. In terms of relative yield total (RYT), there was no overyielding in the dry matter, and in one case only was there overyielding in the nitrogen. During the period of population growth of R. padi, the daily maximum temperatures within the canopy were higher in the mixtures than in the monocrop of oats.

scholarly journals Effects of plant density and proportion on the interaction between wheat with alexandergrass plants

Bragantia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Bianco de Carvalho ◽  
Pedro Luis da Costa Aguiar Alves ◽  
José Valcir Fidelis Martins
Keyword(s):  
Growth And Development ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Mixture Experiment ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Production Characteristics

Determination of competitive relationships among plant species requires appropriate experimental designs and method of analysis. The hypothesis of this research was that two species growing in coexistence show different growth and development due to their relative competitiveness. This research aims to measure the relative competitiveness of wheat crop compared to Alexandergrass by the interpretation of plant density and proportional effects using replacement series experiments. Monocultures were cultivated in densities of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 plants per pot and analyzed by regression of dry mass data. Mixture experiment was cultivated in wheat:Alexandergrass proportions of 0:6, 1:5, 2:4, 3:3, 4:2, 5:1 and 6:0 plants per pot and analyzed by graphical interpretation of growth and production characteristics. Both experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Alexandergrass was more sensitive to intraspecific competition than wheat. Alexandergrass was lightly more competitive than wheat. Number and weight of spikes and number of tillers were the wheat characteristics more affected by Alexandergrass interference.

scholarly journals Genetic and environmental influences on stomates of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

2018 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 477-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick A. Varvel ◽  
Christina J. Hilt ◽  
Loretta C. Johnson ◽  
Matthew Galliart ◽  
Sara G. Baer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Andropogon Gerardii ◽  
Big Bluestem
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