Growth characteristics of rough fescue (<i>Festuca scabrella</i> var. <i>campestris</i>) after three years of repeated harvesting at scheduled frequencies and heights

Willms, Walter D.; Fraser, Joanna

doi:10.1139/b92-264

Cited by 18 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Other studies have indicated that all plants are sensitive to defoliation (Willms 1991;Willms and Fraser 1992). In the study by Willms and Fraser (1992), a severe defoliation treat- For personal use only.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effects of heavy grazing pressure on the random amplified polymorphic DNA marker diversity of mountain rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) in south western Alberta

Zhao¹,

Willms²,

Han³

et al. 2005

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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. 2005. Effects of heavy grazing pressure on the random amplified polymorphic DNA marker diversity of mountain rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) in south western Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 85: 623-629. The Fescue Grassland is found in the western portion of the Northern Great Plains in Canada. Grazing and cultivation threaten this grassland, and a better understanding of its character is needed to preserve its integrity. Mountain rough fescue is highly sensitive to grazing during the growing season, which results in smaller plants and the death of some. The death of plants suggests the potential loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, we compared the genetic diversity of mountain rough fescue plants from sites in south western Alberta (50°12′N, 113°54′W) that had either been heavily grazed by livestock or left ungrazed for 52 yr to determine if grazing pressure had affected their genetic composition. Thirty-four and 43 plants were sampled in the spring of 2001 from very heavily grazed and ungrazed subpopulations, respectively, and their DNA was analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Of the 15 primers used, 12 generated an average of seven polymorphic loci each. Ten loci were present at a frequency of 0.10 or less in the heavily grazed subpopulation and six in the ungrazed subpopulation. RAPD marker diversity between the heavily grazed and ungrazed subpopulations of mountain rough fescue was mainly the result of frequency differences (P < 0.05) produced by 20% of the total markers that were examined, while the subpopulations accounted for only 4.37% of total heterozygosity. Therefore, grazing affected frequency of some markers but did not eliminate genes that may be linked with grazing sensitivity or tolerance. Lack of clear genetic segregation between the subpopulations might be caused by a high gene flow (Nm = 10.92). This mechanism requires further testing in order to prescribe a suitable management response for restoring overgrazed grasslands. Les prairies à fétuque couvrent la partie occidentale du nord des grandes plaines canadiennes. La paissance et l'agriculture menacent ces prairies et il convient de mieux en comprendre la nature si on veut en préserver l'intégrité. Durant la période végétative, la fétuque scabre est très sensible à la paissance, ce qui entraîne le rabougrissement et parfois la mort des plants. La destruction des peuplements laisse supposer la disparition de la diversité génétique. Pour le savoir, les auteurs ont comparé la diversité génétique de la fétuque scabre dans des prairies surexploitées et à des endroits vierges après 52 années d'élevage, dans le sud-ouest de l'Alberta (50°12′N, 113°54′O), l'idée étant de déterminer si le taux de charge des pâturages modifie la composition génétique de l'espèce. Au printemps 2001, les auteurs ont respectivement prélevé 34 et 43 plants de populations secondaires situées sur des pâturages très exploités et des prairies intactes, puis en ont analysé l'ADN par amplification des régions polymorphes à l'aide de séquences aléatoir...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effects of heavy grazing pressure on the random amplified polymorphic DNA marker diversity of mountain rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) in south western Alberta

Zhao¹,

Willms²,

Han³

et al. 2005

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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“…Defoliation during the growing season is known to be detrimental to F. campestris (Willms & Fraser ; Willms et al ; Bogen et al ). Our observations suggest these negative effects further depend on seedling age and competition from neighboring plants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolating the role of soil resources, defoliation, and interspecific competition on early establishment of the late successional bunchgrassFestuca campestris

Tannas

Hewins

Bork

2015

Restoration Ecology

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Native grasslands are valued for biodiversity and supporting dormant season grazing, but are prone to invasion. In western Canada, revegetation of Festuca campestris grasslands may be hindered by Poa pratensis, an invasive grass. To determine the competitive interaction of these species during establishment, two greenhouse experiments were conducted where F. campestris seedlings were planted in monocultures or mixtures with P. pratensis. The first experiment used equal-aged (3-month old) seedlings of both species, while the second experiment used unequal-aged seedlings (4-month-old F. campestris and 2-month-old P. pratensis). Seedling performance was measured in response to manipulations of water and nitrogen, defoliation, and plant neighbor. While water and nitrogen reduced the biomass and vegetative reproduction (tillering) of F. campestris, exposure to P. pratensis most strongly limited the growth of F. campestris seedlings regardless of other treatments. More frequent and consistent decreases in F. campestris due to P. pratensis were observed in older F. campestris seedlings than younger seedlings. Defoliation also reduced the growth of F. campestris, and the added presence of P. pratensis during defoliation further enhanced these reductions in younger, equal-aged bunchgrass seedlings. Overall, these results suggest that when restoring native F. campestris grasslands, early establishment may be improved by reducing the negative impacts of P. pratensis, and avoiding severe defoliation.

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“…It may also be true that grazing reduces plant growth in grazing systems with long periods of grazing during the spring. Repeated defoliation beginning in the spring reduces vigor of plants (see Buwai and Trlica 1977;Lauenroth et al 1985;McLean and Wikeem 1985;Horton 1991;Willms 1991;Willms and Fraser 1992;Zhang and Romo 1994); other studies Harrison and Romo 1994;Romo et al 1995;Romo and Harrison 1999) have shown no adverse effects of a single defoliation on plant growth. In a similar light, greater reductions in plant growth occur when plants are defoliated later in the growing season or when dormant as compared to defoliation early in plant growth Harrison and Romo 1994;Romo et al 1995;Romo and Harrison 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant production after defoliation of native, Northern Mixed Prairie on hummocky terrain in Saskatchewan

Pantel¹,

Romo²,

Bai³

2010

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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Resting plants after grazing is central to sustaining potential plant production. Growth of graminoids and forbs was determined for 3 yr after a single defoliation to 7.5 cm in May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or April on five different landform elements in the Northern Mixed Prairie. Green standing crop and cumulative green standing crop of forbs, graminoids, and their total varied with months of defoliation, landform elements, and years after defoliation. Green standing crop and cumulative green standing crop of forbs, graminoids, and their total was less than the control (P ≤ 0.05) on at least one of five landform elements until the second year after defoliation. This pattern of growth suggests the need to defer grazing for at least 1 yr after use to allow plants to regain their production potential. Plants defoliated early in the growing season recovered their production sooner or at the same time as those defoliated later in the growing season or when dormant. Generalizations that spring or early summer defoliation of native range reduces production and late summer or dormant season grazing has no effect on production warrants reconsideration where adequate rest is provided following a short period of grazing.Key words: Landform, landscape, primary production, rangeland, regrowth, standing crop

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Growth characteristics of rough fescue (Festuca scabrella var. campestris) after three years of repeated harvesting at scheduled frequencies and heights

Cited by 18 publications

References 14 publications

Effects of heavy grazing pressure on the random amplified polymorphic DNA marker diversity of mountain rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) in south western Alberta

Effects of heavy grazing pressure on the random amplified polymorphic DNA marker diversity of mountain rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) in south western Alberta

Isolating the role of soil resources, defoliation, and interspecific competition on early establishment of the late successional bunchgrassFestuca campestris

Plant production after defoliation of native, Northern Mixed Prairie on hummocky terrain in Saskatchewan

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