Seasonal Changes of Herbage Biomass on the Fescue Prairie

Willms, Walter D.; Adams, Barry W.; Dormaar, J. F.

doi:10.2307/4002676

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…The grasses tested in this study could not account for the biomass losses of 53% or more observed on the fescue grassland community (Willms et al 1996). This indicates that other plants, probably represented mostly by forbs, are more degradable and may disappear almost completely.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Smooth aster, as a model of a forb, seemed to degrade more rapidly than grasses in the litter mass (Table 5) and is more susceptible to physical erosion when suspended on a stem. Loss of forb biomass was almost 60% compared with 27% for grasses (Willms et al 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…leaves lost 41 and 52% of their biomass from October to March in 2 different years, respectively (Willms 1991). In rough fescue communities, biomass losses over winter were up to 60% of total biomass present in October but losses differed between grasses and forbs (Willms et al 1996). Therefore, the species composition of the grassland is important in determining the proportion of biomass that is lost and is an important consideration in determining the value of grasslands that are used for winter grazing.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weathering losses of forage species on the fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta

Willms¹,

King²,

Dormaar³

1998

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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Weathering losses of forage species on the fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 78: 265-272. Rough fescue grasslands are readily damaged by heavy grazing pressure in the summer but tolerate grazing in winter. The grasslands have physical and nutritive properties that make them suitable for winter grazing by cattle thereby reducing the cost of winter feeding while preserving the integrity of the grasslands. However, their forage value declines during winter through the degradation of biomass yield and quality. This study took place at the Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, Range Research Substation located on the Porcupine Hills in southwest Alberta. The objectives of this study were to determine the dynamics of litter biomass for important forage species over winter, to examine the role of leaf position in the plant on biomass loss from leaves, and to determine the associated changes in crude protein, phosphorus, and acid detergent fibre of the leaves, and carbon and nitrogen. Leaves of Parry oat grass (Danthonia parryi Scribn.), Idaho fescue (F. idahoensis Elmer), and rough fescue (F. campestris Rydb.) were sampled at monthly intervals from August to March over 3 yr to determine weight and chemical composition. Decomposition of these species, together with smooth aster (Aster laevis L.), was also tested for decomposition in the litter mass using nylon bags. Degradation of standing litter was most rapid in late summer and tended to decline toward stability by December. Biomass losses in leaves from August to March were similar (P > 0.05) among grass species. Overwinter losses in the litter mass tended to be greatest for smooth aster. Changes in the mineral and fibre concentrations of the herbage were typical of the trends expected for the period, that included late senescence and weathering, and followed closely the losses of biomass for the period. Forage decomposition is an important ecological process in mineral cycling and affects the quantity and quality of forage available for delayed grazing. Il reste que leur valeur fourragère baisse durant l'hiver, à la fois en quantité qu'en qualité. Nos expériences avaient lieu à la Sous-station de recherches sur les parcours (ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Agroalimentaire du Canada) dans les Porcupine Hills au sud-ouest de l'Alberta. Nos objectifs étaient d'établir la dynamique de la formation de la litière à partir des espèces fourragères importantes durant l'hiver, d'examiner le rôle de la position des feuilles sur la tige sur les pertes de biomasse foliaire et d'élucider les modifications concomittantes des teneurs en protéine brute, en P et en lignocellulose des feuilles ainsi que celle du bilan du carbone et de l'azote. Les feuilles de la danthonie de Parry (Danthonia parryi Scribn.), de la fétuque de l'Idaho (F. idahoensis Elmer) et de la fétuque rude (F. campestris Rydb.) étaient prélevées tous les mois à partir d'août jusqu'en mars pendant 3 ans, pour en mesurer le poids et la composition chimique. La décomposition de ces espèces ain...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weathering losses of forage species on the fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta

Willms¹,

King²,

Dormaar³

1998

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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“…Areas with a history of grazing are generally characterized by reduced litter (Willms et al 1986), decreased annual production, increased losses of herbage over winter, and delayed spring growth (Willms et al 1996). The maximum seasonal phytomass of each herbage component documented in summer coincided with wet soil conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High herbage yield in summer was dependent on precipitation during the growing season. Shallow-rooted, rhizomatous species (like those dominant in this community) are most productive with frequent showers since moisture conservation tends to be inefficient with reduced litter (Willms et al 1996). Clipping or grazing can also change the distribution of roots in the soil by reducing the rooting depth and packing more roots in the soil surface (Willms 1991;Smoliak et al 1972).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Dynamics and Defoliation Impact on Herbage Yield in Aspen Boreal Habitats of Alberta

et al. 2003

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Within the aspen boreal ecosystems, little information exists on the seasonal dynamics of available herbage and the effects of varying defoliation regimes on accumulated herbage growth and associated opportunities for animal production. We examined seasonal changes in herbage phytomass in conjunction with defoliation treatments in Bromus inermis-Poa pratensis grasslands in central Alberta. Changes in herbage pools were examined by sampling at five monthly intervals from April to September 1997 and 1998, inclusive. Vegetation was also subjected to a factorial experiment with an initial defoliation in late-May, June or July, at heights of 2.5, 7.5, or 15 cm, and repeated at 3-, 6- or 9-week intervals until the end of September. Green herbage, standing dead and fallen litter increased from spring to summer and decreased from summer to fall. Average growing conditions resulted in a peak phytomass of 350 g m-2, and varied by year. Weathering losses of green herbage, standing dead and fallen litter over winter were 34%, 52% and 51%, respectively. Dry matter losses of total herbage (all three pools) over winter were 58% of 1997 summer green phytomass. Initial timing, height, and frequency of clipping all affected accumulated herbage yield (P < 0.001). The greatest accumulated herbage yield was from clipping initiated in May. Light clipping resulted in less phytomass accumulation relative to moderate and heavy clipping. Clipping frequencies of six and nine weeks resulted in similar phytomass removal, but were greater than herbage removal associated with three weeks frequency. The interaction between clipping date and frequency of clipping demonstrates the importance of temporal rest and sensitivity of forage plants to defoliation, and lends support to the use of rotational grazing systems.

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Long-Term Grazing Accelerated Litter Decomposition in Northern Temperate Grasslands

et al. 2018

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Seasonal Changes of Herbage Biomass on the Fescue Prairie

Cited by 22 publications

References 10 publications

Weathering losses of forage species on the fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta

Weathering losses of forage species on the fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta

Seasonal Dynamics and Defoliation Impact on Herbage Yield in Aspen Boreal Habitats of Alberta

Long-Term Grazing Accelerated Litter Decomposition in Northern Temperate Grasslands

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