Mesquite,Tobosagrass, and Common Broomweed Responses to Fire Season and Intensity

There has been increasing interest in the use of summer fires to limit woody plant encroachment on grasslands, but information regarding effects of such fires on perennial grass recovery and annual forb production is also needed. Our objective was to examine effects of fire seasonality and intensity on the woody legume honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.), the C₄ midgrass tobosagrass (Pleuraphis mutica Buckl.), and the annual forb common broomweed (Amphiachyris dracunculoides [DC.] Nutt.). Treatments included summer fires, high-intensity winter fires, low-intensity winter fires, and no burn in replicated plots. None of the fire treatments caused whole-plant mortality (root kill) in mesquite. Mesquite aboveground mortality (top kill) was much greater after summer and high-intensity winter fires than low-intensity winter fires. Tobosagrass total yield (live + dead) was lower following summer fires and was not enhanced by any of the fire treatments for two growing seasons postfire when compared to the no-burn condition. However, tobosagrass live yield was 40% greater in the high-intensity winter fire treatment than the no-burn condition the first summer postfire and recovered in the other fire treatments by the end of the first growing season postfire. Tobosagrass percentage of live tissue was greatest in the summer fire treatment at the end of each of the two growing seasons postfire. Common broomweed cover increased in the summer fire treatment and decreased in both winter fire treatments relative to the no-burn condition by the end of the first growing season postfire. Summer fire offered no clear advantage over high-intensity winter fire with respect to mesquite suppression. However, the increase in late-season tobosagrass percentage live tissue caused by summer fire may be advantageous for forage quality. In addition, patch burning summer fires to increase broomweed cover in selected areas may be useful for wildlife habitat.     

The dynamics of Themeda Triandra tillers in relation to burning in the natal Drakensberg

Abstract

Marked tillers of Themeda triandra were sampled regularly over a two year period in Highland Sourveld burnt annually in winter, biennially in spring and after a single summer and early winter burning treatment. Parameters recorded were height of shoot apex, tiller mass, number of new lateral tillers and time of flowering. Monitoring of marked tillers before and after each burn enabled the life history of populations of tillers to be followed.

There were no significant differences in survivorship between tillers in the annual winter and biennial spring burn treatments but winter burning stimulated the development of a greater number of daughters per parent. Both populations exhibited a constant death rate over the two year period. Only 8% of the marked T. triandra tillers survived the single summer burning treatment.     

Veld burning in giant's castle game reserve,natal Drakensberg

A basic aim in the management of a wildlife reserve is to maintain ecological diversity. In the Giant's Castle Game Reserve the vegetation is largely composed of fire sub‐climax grasslands. Under the natural fire‐regime, before man influenced the system much, fires probably occurred at any time of the year, but mostly in summer. At present there are acute problems in controlling wildfires which occur mostly in late winter when there is an extreme fire hazard. Most of the Natal Drakensberg is now burnt by wildfires in late winter and deliberate fires in early spring. The ecological effect of the natural and present fire regimes are discussed, and a burning plan for Giant's Castle is outlined.     

The growth of veld in response to defoliation by various means in late winter and spring

An experiment was conducted on Dohne Sourveld to determine the effect of mowing and burning during the late winter and spring on subsequent herbage yields. Mowing in spring and burning in late winter before rain gave the highest and lowest yields respectively. There was no difference between burning after the late winter and the spring rains. Mowing both before and after the late winter rains yielded less material than the previous two burning treatments. Reasons for these results are suggested and their implications discussed. Growth curves revealed that at no time did late winter burning before rain stimulate earlier grazing than mowing or burning after rain.     

Grassland research priorities: Ideas for the future

Abstract

Four levels of available dry matter (DM) were maintained on a continuously grazed irrigated Midmar Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture by means of a “put‐and‐take” grazing procedure. The pasture was stocked with three successive sets of weaned lambs in winter, spring and early summer respectively. The relation between average daily gains (ADG) and available DM was positively linear At equivalent levels of available DM, gains were greater in spring than in either the winter and summer periods (P ≤0,01), but there were no differences in gains between winter and summer. There was a negative linear relation between average stocking rate (the rate required to achieve a given level of herbage availability) and available DM. Stocking rates in spring and summer were not significantly different, but both were higher (P≤0,01) than those in winter. Within the range of the differential treatments applied, relations between stocking rate and ADG were negatively linear, and there was an interactive effect (P≤0,01) between stocking rate and grazing period. Changes in ADG with a unit change in stocking rate were greatest in winter, intermediate in summer and least in spring. Gains/ha were curvilinearly related to available DM. The curves indicate that the amounts of available DM required for maximum gains/ha were least in spring, intermediate in summer and greatest in winter.

From a serial cutting trial conducted concurrently with the grazing, a growth rate curve was developed for Midmar ryegrass. This curve had two maxima, with the maximum growth rate in spring being more than double that in autumn. The in vitro digestible organic matter content and crude protein content decreased from 80,6% and 24,1% in autumn to 63,1% and 10,6%, respectively, in summer. Crude fibre content increased from 10,1 % in autumn to 30,1 % in summer.     

Long-Term Effects of Fire,Livestock Herbivory Removal,and Weather Variability in Texas Semiarid Savanna

We examined how the occurrence and structure of grasses and woody plants changed after 12 yr of a fire season manipulation and removal of livestock herbivores. Applying high intensity fires in the summer preserved the structural integrity of this semiarid live oak (Quercus virginiana Mill.) savanna while decreasing or eliminating numerous problematic plants in the understory and overstory, such as prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.), sacahuista (Nolina texana S. Watson), Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei J. Buchholz), Pinchot's juniper (J. pinchotii Sudw.), and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.). In the less intense repeat winter burning treatments, undesirable woody plants were generally maintained at pretreatment levels in the overstory but all woody plants except Ashe juniper increased in the understory. Alternatively, areas excluded from fire in the control treatment rapidly transitioned from a grass-tree codominated savanna environment to one that is heavily dominated by woody plants. In the grass community, the most frequently occurring grass species in the winter burn treatment differed from summer burn and control treatments, whereas the summer burn treatment was not different from the control. Of the herbaceous plants, only little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium [Michx.] Nash) responded to fire treatments. Little bluestem increased in the winter burn treatment, remained fairly constant in the summer burn treatment, and decreased in the control. Other grasses varied largely as a function of annual weather variability, the removal of livestock, and legacy effects resulting from pre-existing variability. These findings suggest that fire can reduce or eliminate woody plant species that threaten the stability of live oak savannas while having little long-term effect on grasses desired by rangeland managers.     

A preliminary survey of viruses in pasture grasses in South Africa

Little work has been done in South Africa on the incidence of viruses in pasture grasses. The aim of this work was to carry out a survey of virus infections of some of the economically‐important pasture grasses in South Africa. Twelve winter and summer pasture grass species and one cereal forage crop species were collected from six different regions in early, mid‐ and late winter and summer. Plants were tested for virus(es) by means of symptomatology, transmission, dot‐blot immunoassays, Ouchterlony tests and electron microscopy. Serological tests indicate that Avena sativa from Roodeplaat and Bromus unioloides from Potchefstroom, Cedara and Nooitgedacht are positive for maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV). Lolium multiflorum from Cedara appears to be infected with two viruses, brome mosaic virus (BMV) and a potyvirus‐like agent, possibly ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV).     

Factors affecting the survival and migration of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematode parasites of cattle in central queensland

Faecal pats containing parasitic nematode eggs were deposited monthly on worm-free pasture, from mid-1975 to early in 1979, near Rockhampton in central Queensland. Pasture samples were collected monthly from beside these pats and the number of infective larvae on the samples was counted.

Cooperia spp. were the most numerous larvae on pasture all year round and Haemonchus placei were commonly present in low numbers. Small numbers of Oesophagostonum radiatum larvae were found, mostly during summer.

Dung beetle activity and rainfall influenced larval populations on pasture, but temperature did not. Beetles were not active in winter, and pats deposited in spring, summer and autumn when beetles were active yielded only 42, 44 and 26%, respectively, as many larvae per 1000 eggs deposited as winter pats. Pats in which beetle activity was minimal (feeding only), moderate and intense (complete destruction), yielded 43, 10 and 6%, respectively, as many larvae per 1000 eggs as intact pats.

Larval densities on pasture were highest after the first saturating rains during the spring-summer period and most of these larvae migrated from unattacked pats deposited in winter. Beetle numbers and activity increased with the summer rains and so few larvae were available to migrate onto pasture during late summer and autumn when the highest falls of rain were recorded. The regression of larval recovery on rainfall was positive and statistically significant when data collected soon after these very heavy rainfall periods were omitted from the analysis.

In 1977, drought-breaking rains increased the normal larval density on pasture 10-fold because larvae in pats deposited in the last 4 months of the drought migrated onto pasture immediately after the rains.

This work suggests that in summer rainfall areas where dung beetles are active, helminth control may be achieved by reducing the worm egg output from cattle during the winter.     

Long-Term Response Patterns of Tallgrass Prairie to Frequent Summer Burning

Knowledge of how tallgrass prairie vegetation responds to fire in the late growing season is relatively sparse and is based upon studies that are either spatially or temporally limited. To gain a more robust perspective of vegetation response to summer burning and to determine if repeated summer fire can drive vegetational changes in native tallgrass prairie, we evaluated species cover and richness over a 14-yr period on different topographic positions from ungrazed watersheds that were burned biennially in the growing season. We found that annual forbs were the primary beneficiaries of summer burning, but their fluctuations varied inconsistently among years. Concomitantly, species richness and diversity increased significantly with summer burning but remained stable through time with annual spring burning. After 14 yr, species richness was 28% higher in prairie that was burned in the summer than in prairie burned in the spring. Canopy cover of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans [L.] Nash) increased significantly over time with both summer and spring burning, whereas heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides [L.] Nesom), aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium [Nutt.] Nesom), and sedges (Carex spp.) increased in response to only summer burning. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cover declined in both spring-burned and summer-burned watersheds. Repeated burning in either spring or summer did not reduce the cover or frequency of any woody species. Most perennial species were neutral in their reaction to summer fire, but a few species responded with large and inconsistent temporal fluctuations that overwhelmed any clear patterns of change. Although summer burning did not preferentially encourage spring-flowering forbs or suppress dominance of the warm-season grasses, it is a potentially useful tool to increase community heterogeneity in ungrazed prairie.     

冬季火烧对青藏高原亚高山草甸草地地上生产力和植物群落的影响

以2010年1月21日发生于青藏高原亚高山草甸草地火灾的过火草地为对象,通过对比2010年生长季火烧与未火烧草地生产力及植物群落的变化,发现火烧后第1年草地生产力有不同程度提高,以高寒灌丛草甸线叶嵩草+发草+苔草草地增产影响最大(P0.05)。火烧对植物群落中的种类成分没有明显影响,但在各火烧草地牧草经济类群中,以占优势的莎草科植物呈现出明显的增产效果(P0.05),说明火烧对根茎型莎草科植物起着刺激生长的作用。群落中禾本科植物产草量均有较大幅度下降(P0.05),表明火烧对根茎型禾本科高草的叶层高度有明显的抑制。火烧对各类草地植物生长期产生不同的影响,牧草返青期提前15~25d,生长期延长。     

Response of lambs to continuous and rotational grazing at four grazing intensities on Midmar Italian ryegrass

Abstract

Irrigated Midmar Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was grazed either continuously or rotationally at four grazing intensities by three successive sets of weaned lambs for the winter, spring and summer periods, respectively. The “put‐and‐take” system was applied. In the case of continuous grazing, amounts of available dry matter (DM) per hectare were varied, whereas with rotational grazing different grazing intensities were established by allocating different amounts of DM per unit livemass. Amounts of DM on offer were determined in both systems to provide a basis for comparison.

There were no differences in average daily gain (ADG) at equivalent levels of available DM between grazing procedures in winter. In both spring and summer, however, ADG at given levels of available DM was greater (P ≤0,01) with continuous than with rotational grazing. Stocking rate at equivalent levels of available DM was higher (P ≤0,01) for rotational as compared with continuous grazing in winter and summer, but in summer, grazing procedure had no effect on stocking rate. There was an interaction between stocking rate and grazing method in winter (P ≤0,01). At high stocking rates, ADG were higher (P ≤0,01) under rotational than under continuous grazing. In spring and summer the ADG for continuous grazing was higher (P ≤0,01) than that for rotational grazing at equivalent stocking rates. The estimated stocking rates for maximum gains/ha ranged in the different seasons from 45 to 123 lambs/ha.     

Texas Wintergrass and Buffalograss Response to Seasonal Fires and Clipping

There is increased interest in the use of summer-season fires to limit woody plant encroachment into grasslands, but effects of these fires on grasses are poorly understood. We quantified effects of repeated winter fires, repeated summer fires, and clipping (to simulate grazing) on aboveground total yield, live yield, and percentage of live tissue of C₃ Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha [Trin. & Rupr.] Pohl.), and C₄ buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides [Nutt.] Engelm.) in 2 experiments. Monospecific patches of each species were exposed to 1 of 3 fire treatments (no-fire, 2 winter fires in 3 years, or 2 summer fires in 3 years) and 1 of 2 clip treatments (no clip or clip once each spring). Experiment 1 evaluated effects of fire without grazing or clipping on late-growing season (late-season) yields. Late-season total yield of both species recovered from winter and summer fires within 1 or 2 growing seasons post-fire. By 3 years post-fire, Texas wintergrass late-season total yield was 2 times greater in the summer fire treatment than the winter fire or no-fire treatments, and buffalograss late-season total yield was 3 times greater in summer and winter fire treatments than in the no-fire treatment. Experiment 2 evaluated combined effects of fire and clipping the previous spring on spring-season yields. Clipping alone or with fire (summer or winter) reduced Texas wintergrass yields on more sample dates than occurred with buffalograss. By 3 years post-fire, buffalograss spring total yield was greater in all fire and fire + clip treatments than in the clip only or untreated controls. Results suggest: 1) both species were tolerant of summer fire, 2) fire in either season with or without clipping stimulated buffalograss production, and 3) buffalograss was more tolerant than Texas wintergrass to the combined effects of clipping + fire (either season).     

Semiarid Rangeland Is Resilient to Summer Fire and Postfire Grazing Utilization

Most wildfires occur during summer in the northern hemisphere, the area burned annually is increasing, and fire effects during this season are least understood. Understanding plant response to grazing following summer fire is required to reduce ecological and financial risks associated with wildfire. Forty 0.75-ha plots were assigned to summer fire then 0, 17, 34 or 50% biomass removal by grazing the following growing season, or no fire and no grazing. Root, litter, and aboveground biomass were measured before fire, immediately after grazing, and 1 yr after grazing with the experiment repeated during 2 yr to evaluate weather effects. Fire years were followed by the second driest and fifth wettest springs in 70 yr. Biomass was more responsive to weather than fire and grazing, with a 452% increase from a dry to wet year and 31% reduction from a wet to average spring. Fire reduced litter 53% and had no first-year effect on productivity for any biomass component. Grazing after fire reduced postgrazing grass biomass along the prescribed utilization gradient. Fire and grazing had no effect on total aboveground productivity the year after grazing compared to nonburned, nongrazed sites (1 327 vs. 1 249 ± 65 kg · ha^-1). Fire and grazing increased grass productivity 16%, particularly for Pascopyrum smithii. The combined disturbances reduced forbs (51%), annual grasses (49%), and litter (46%). Results indicate grazing with up to 50% biomass removal the first growing season after summer fire was not detrimental to productivity of semiarid rangeland plant communities. Livestock exclusion the year after summer fire did not increase productivity or shift species composition compared to grazed sites. Reduction of previous years' standing dead material was the only indication that fire may temporarily reduce forage availability. The consistent responses among dry, wet, and near-average years suggest plant response is species-specific rather than climatically controlled.     

Growth patterns of Italian ryegrass cultivars established in different seasons

Abstract

A comparison is made between various Italian ryegrass cultivars established under irrigation on a well‐drained upland site during the traditional autumn months, with plantings of the same cultivars at other times of the year.

The dates on which pastures could be utilized for the first time, their relative growth patterns as well as weed infestation, flowering behaviour and persistency, were investigated. Some herbage quality determinations were also made.

February plantings are considered the most favourable for maximum late autumn, winter and spring production. First utilization following late autumn/winter plantings is, however, delayed considerably with the onset of cold weather. Late winter/early spring plantings, on the other hand, delay flowering for up to 16 months and the biennial growth pattern indicates vigorous growth immediately after planting, the possibility of variable late summer production followed by extremely poor autumn and winter production. This casts serious doubt on the merit of such a practice at the total exclusion of the traditional autumn plantings. Summer weed infestation from such spring plantings also gave cause for concern.     

Research note: The short‐term effect of fire on the woody component of the Sourish Mixed Bushveld

Abstract

The short‐term effect of an early‐spring, moderately hot fire on the woody component of the Sourish Mixed Bushveld was monitored before, directly after, and for two successive seasons following the fire. The average height of trees less than three metres was reduced due to severe topkill, but trees higher than three metres were unaffected by the fire. Tree volume, leaf volume, total biomass and available browse initially decreased, but recovered within two seasons. Fire damage and regeneration depended on the structure of the woody component. Biomass production and woody seedling establishment was stimulated by the fire.     

冬季放牧和春季火烧对新麦草生长与种子产量的影响

研究前一年冬季放牧和春季火烧对新麦草(Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski)植株生长与种子增产效应,旨在提出新麦草种子高产的田间管理技术。结果表明:前一年冬季放牧和春季火烧处理均可明显促进新麦草种子田的生育进程,返青分别较对照提前23 d和19 d,以冬季放牧更为显著;两种处理可提高地上生物量、单位面积的平均分蘖数和分蘖株的大小,而且收获期基部功能叶的叶面积有所增加,均以冬季放牧最高,表明冬季放牧能够促进新麦草生殖生长,抑制营养生长;两种处理均可提高单位面积的生殖枝数,从而显著提高单位面积的潜在种子产量、表现种子产量和实际种子产量,均以冬季放牧最高,实际种子产量可达2303.9 kg/hm²,较春季火烧(1384.8 kg/hm²)和对照(928.4 kg/hm²)增产66%和148%;冬季放牧既可提高新麦草种子产量,又可充分利用种子田的饲草贮存,可作为重要的种子增产手段加以推广利用。     

Fire and Nitrogen Effects on Purple Threeawn (Aristida purpurea) Abundance in Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie Old Fields

Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea Nutt. varieties) is a native grass capable of increasing on rangelands, forming near monocultures, and creating a stable state. Productive rangelands throughout the Great Plains and Intermountain West have experienced increases in purple threeawn abundance, reducing overall forage quality. Our objectives were to 1) reveal the effects of prescribed fire and nitrogen amendments on purple threeawn abundance and 2) assess nontarget plant response posttreatment. Season of fire (no fire, summer fire, fall fire) and nitrogen addition (0 kg N · ha^?1, 46 kg N · ha^?1, and 80 kg N · ha^?1) were factorially arranged in a completely randomized design and applied to two similar sites in southeastern Montana. We evaluated fire and nitrogen effects on purple threeawn basal cover, relative composition, and current-year biomass one growing season postfire at two sites treated during different years. Spring weather following fire treatments was very different between years and subsequently impacted community response. Initial purple threeawn biomass at both sites was 1 214 ± 46 kg · ha^?1 SEc. When postfire growing conditions were wet, current-year biomass of purple threeawn was reduced 90% and 73% with summer and fall fire, respectively. Under dry postfire growing conditions, purple threeawn current-year biomass was reduced 73% and 58% with summer and fall fire, respectively. Nitrogen additions had no effect on purple threeawn current-year biomass at either site. Current-year biomass of C₃ perennial grass doubled with nitrogen additions and was not impacted by fire during a wet spring. Nitrogen additions and fire had no effect on C₃ perennial grass current-year biomass following a dry spring. Prescribed fire appears to be a highly effective tool for reducing purple threeawn abundance on semiarid rangelands, with limited detrimental impacts to nontarget species.     

the utilization by sheep of winter and spring Smuts finger and Kikuyu pastures

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on Smuts finger (Digitaria eriantha ssp. eriantha) and Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pastures during a winter and spring period to study the effect of postruminal energy and/or protein supplementation on the selection pattern and performance of sheep. In a further experiment the digestion and utilization of these pastures were quantified. Voluntary intake on both pastures was not significantly affected by postruminal addition of casein but glucose tended to depress intake. In vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM) and crude protein content of oesophageal samples were not significantly influenced by either casein or glucose. Consequently, it was concluded that postruminal amino acid and energy supply do not alter the quality of pasture selection but, depending on circumstances, the amount eaten may be affected. The amount of non‐ammonia nitrogen (NAN) in winter and spring samples flowing through the abomasum was proportional to the nitrogen (N) content in the grass organic matter (OM), while the volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was approximately associated with the digestible OM (DOM) intake. N retention on Smuts finger was significantly higher than on Kikuyu. One of the reasons appears to be less unavailable N in the cell wall of Smuts finger than in the cell wall of kikuyu grass.     

Seasonal Timing of Fire Alters Biomass and Species Composition of Northern Mixed Prairie

Fire plays a central role in influencing ecosystem patterns and processes. However, documentation of fire seasonality and plant community response is limited in semiarid grasslands. We evaluated aboveground biomass, cover, and frequency response to summer, fall, and spring fires and no fire on silty and clayey sites in semiarid, C₃-dominated grassland. The magnitude of change in biomass between years was greater than any differences among fire treatments. Still, differences existed among seasons of fire. Summer fire reduced non-native annual forb frequency (3% vs. 10% ± 2%) and Hesperostipa comata, reduced native annual forbs the first year, increased Poa secunda and bare ground, and increased Vulpia octoflora the second year. Fall fire increased grass biomass (1224 vs. 1058 ± 56 kg ? ha^? 1), but fall fire effects were generally similar to those of summer fire. Spring fire effects tended to be intermediate between no fire and summer and fall fire with the exception that spring fire was most detrimental to H. comata the first growing season and did not increase bare ground. All seasons of fire reduced litter, forb biomass, and frequency of Bromus japonicus and Artemisia spp., and they reduced H. comata, V. octoflora, and native annual forbs the first year, but increased basal cover of C₃ perennial grasses (2.2% vs. 0.6% ± 0.4%). Fire during any season increased dominance of native species compared with no fire (6.6% vs. 2.0% ± 1.0% basal cover) and maintained productivity. Seasonal timing of fire manipulated species composition, but increased C₃ perennial grass cover and native species dominance with fire during any season indicated that using fire was more important than the season in which it occurred. In addition, fire effects on the vegetation components tended to be counter to previously observed effects of grazing, suggesting fire and grazing may be complementary.