Ontogeny of Themeda triandra tillers in the false thornveld of the eastern cape

Abstract

Marked populations of Themeda triandra tillers were sequentially sampled at fortnightly intervals under normal conditions and without moisture stress respectively, covering a period from tiller initiation through to senescence after flowering. Parameters recorded were height of shoot apex, tiller mass, leaf area, leaf number, secondary tiller development and premature tiller mortality. Tillers of irrigated plants had a significantly higher mass, more elevated shoot apices, and produced a greater total number of leaves than those of non‐irrigated plants. Fewer unstressed tillers senesced prematurely than those experiencing moisture stress.     

The importance of the ecological view of agriculture

Abstract

Marked populations of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus tillers were sequentially harvested at fortnightly intervals both under irrigation and under unamended moisture conditions. Sampling covered a period from tiller initiation through to senescence after flowering.

Tiller masses and green leaf areas were used to derive absolute growth rates, relative growth rates, net assimilation rates and leaf area ratios respectively. Growth rates of Themeda triandra were higher, or were maintained at high levels for longer than those of Sporobolus fimbriatus. Moisture stress resulted in considerably depressed growth rates. Photosynthetic efficiency of spring emerging tillers was potentially greatest in midsummer, but this seasonal influence was masked by moisture stress on non‐irrigated treatments.     

The influence of tiller age and time of year on the growth of Themeda tri andra and Sporobolus fimbriatus in semi‐arid grassveld

Abstract

Sequential growth measurements were made on successive populations of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus tillers initiated at different times of the year. The independent influences of tiller age and time of year on tiller growth were isolated by deriving growth indices for tillers of the same age at different times of the year and for tillers of all ages at each time of the year respectively.

Isolating the effect of plant age on growth showed that T. triandra is most productive under a regime of long periods of undisturbed growth, while S. fimbriatus is better suited to frequent interruptions in growth. Isolating the effect of time of year shows that both species are particularly sensitive to perturbations in spring. However, the photosynthetic efficiency of T. triandra is strongly influenced by time of year while S. fimbriatus seems to be a more opportunistic assimilator of sunlight.     

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.     

Influence of grazing frequency and intensity on aerial and reproductive tillering in Lolium perenne L. under subtropical conditions

Abstract

Reproductive and aerial tillering dynamics in Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) was monitored for two years under grazing. Reproductive tillers were observed from winter (June) to midsummer (February) with the main period of initiation occurring in spring to early summer (August to October). For infrequent lenient grazing, reproductive tiller densities ranged from 102 (July 1993) to 1 900 (September 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 29 (June 1994) to 980 (September 1994) tillers m^?2. By contrast, simulated continuous grazing (CG) resulted in reproductive tiller densities ranging from 13 (August 1993) to 100 (October 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 25 (July 1994) to 46 (September 1994) tillers m^?2. Aerial tillers were initiated mainly during spring, and to a lesser extent autumn and winter, with no appreciable number being recorded during summer. For infrequent lenient grazing, aerial tiller densities ranged from 25 (February 1993) to 1 620 (September 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 362 (August 1994) to 1 524 (September 1994) tillers m^?2. By contrast, CG resulted in aerial tiller densities ranging from 123 (May 1993) to 14 (June 1993) tillers m^?2, and from 5 (July 1994) to 29 (May 1994) tillers m^?2. There was no indication that reproductive or aerial tillers contribute to the persistence of perennial ryegrass under the grazing frequencies and intensities tested.     

Tiller population dynamics in eight cultivars of elephant grass during undisturbed growth

The aim of the study was to assess tiller population dynamics of aerial and basal tillers in eight cultivars of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach.), syn. Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone, in a warm humid climate in Veracruz, Mexico. This is a pioneer study on tiller population dynamics in elephant grass under conditions of undisturbed growth. The tiller population assays included data from 14 days after cutting until 154 and 182 days after cutting for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. On each sampling date, a distinctive ring was placed on every new tiller, and rings were removed from dead tillers. Tiller density, mortality and appearance were determined. In wet seasons, copious tillering occurred on initial regrowth (by day 42, mostly aerial tillers, with a ratio of 2:1 to 4:1 for aerial to basal tiller appearance), and on day 98 (a higher proportion of basal tillers, with an aerial to basal tiller ratio of 1.5:1). Aerial tillers showed a higher overall mortality rate than basal tillers (29.0 vs 14.4). Younger basal tillers showed higher mortality than older tillers. Higher tiller density occurred during the dry season, where it increased gradually until day 70 and then declined. The cultivars ‘Cameroon‘, ‘CT115‘ and ‘OM22‘ showed remarkably high tillering ability. The findings indicate that harvesting a forage bank is possible from day 70 during a dry season.     

Growth and tiller production of Themeda triandra as affected by NPK fertilisation

Themeda triandra Forssk. is a common perennial grass in southern African grasslands that tolerates low nutrient soils. Establishment of the species into degraded or transformed areas is difficult, but there have been some advances with clonal propagation using tillers. To generate propagules (tillers), tiller production of plants must be maximised. This research focused on the growth response of T. triandra to fertilisation with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) each at three levels in a fully factorial pot experiment. Fertilisation increased growth. The number of tillers and aerial shoot mass were controlled by an N × P interaction, and total mass and root mass were controlled by N and by P, with N having a larger effect. Mass per tiller was not related to treatment. Shoot:root ratio and root mass per tiller were controlled by N. Potassium had no effect on any response. For maximum tiller production of T. triandra, plants should be fertilised with high levels of N and P.     

不同放牧强度下高寒草甸矮嵩草无性系分株构件的研究

对放牧强度分别为０、２、４、８（藏羊只／ｈｍ２）的矮嵩草无性系各构件数量和地上生物量进行了研究。结果表明随放牧强度的加重每分株生殖分蘖数、分蘖地上生物量、营养和生殖地上生物量呈下降的趋势，而营养生物量占分蘖生物量的分配比例呈上升趋势。在不放牧的情况下，矮嵩草无性系分株总数小，其各构件地上生物量和生殖分蘖数高（Ｐ＜０．００１）；每分株分蘖数、营养分蘖数及杆叶比低（Ｐ＜０．００１）。     

新疆伊犁两种生境无芒雀麦种群的年龄结构

2010年8月,通过单位面积取样的方法,对新疆伊犁草甸和干旱两种生境无芒雀麦（Bromus inermis）自然种群分蘖株、根茎、冬性苗和芽的年龄结构进行了分析,旨在揭示无芒雀麦种群在不同生境条件下的繁殖潜力。结果表明,无芒雀麦种群分蘖株、根茎、冬性苗和芽在两种生境中均以最低的两个龄级占优势。种群生殖分蘖株有3个龄级,营养分蘖株、根茎、冬性苗和芽均有4个龄级;根茎分蘖节最多繁殖4个世代,最多可存活5个生长季。种群的分蘖株数量、芽数量和根茎长度为草甸生境＞干旱生境,冬性苗数量为草甸生境＜干旱生境。营养分蘖株和冬性苗数量为1龄＞2龄＞3龄＞4龄,芽数量为0龄＞1龄＞2龄＞3龄。两种生境下,无芒雀麦种群分蘖株、根茎、冬性苗和芽等构件均呈增长型年龄结构。     

Effects of selective defoliation and height of defoliation on tiller dynamics and herbage yield of Themeda triandra in a semi-arid rangeland in Zimbabwe

Understanding the impacts of intensity and selection of grazing on the performance of grasses is important in the management of grazing areas. It is especially important in semi-arid environments where, apart from moisture, the levels at which grasses are utilized has a major influence on their persistence in the environment. The effects of selective defoliation and height of defoliation (5 cm and 10 cm stubble heights) on the performance of the grass, Themeda triandra, were investigated in a field experiment for two growing seasons. Performance was measured as tiller production, rate of production, tiller mortality, herbage yield and quality. Tiller production was greater (81 tillers per plant) under non-selective defoliation than under selective defoliation (49 tillers per plant) in the 1995/1996 season. Tiller mortality was higher (66.45%) under heavy selective defoliation than under nonselective defoliation (21.98%). Herbage yield, apart from the control treatment, was high (13.6 g per plant) under light non-selective defoliation. Heavy selective defoliation reduced the nutrient levels (e.g. levels of soluble carbohydrates under heavy selective defoliation were 6 g kg^?1 glucose compared to 20 g kg^?1 glucose under light non-selective defoliation).     

Growth and desiccation of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus in relation to diminishing moisture availability

Abstract

Water was withheld from individual plants of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus growing in pots in a greenhouse. Leaf extension growth, followed by successive degrees of tiller desiccation, were monitored on a daily basis and related to diminishing moisture availability. Leaf extension growth ceased after about 40 % soil water depletion in both species on the sandy clay loam used in the trial. Thereafter, leaves and growing points senesced progressively with increasing evaporative demand, despite a relatively small drop in soil moisture content. The tentative conclusion is that active leaf growth in semi‐arid grassveld takes place in short sporadic spells subsequent to each effective rainfall event. It seems, for example, that after a rain of 50 mm in midsummer, the duration of active leaf growth could be no more than a week.     

The effect of prolonged heavy grazing pressure on the regrowth of two perennial grass species in a semi-arid communal rangeland

We tested the hypothesis that initial above-ground regrowth of defoliated grass tufts would be reduced in sites which have been exposed to prolonged heavy grazing. The regrowth of Themeda triandra and Urochloa mosambicensis tufts was compared between three heavily grazed sites close to a village and three relatively lightly grazed sites far from a village, in a semi-arid communal rangeland in the South African lowveld. A clipping experiment was done in the field using T. triandra and U. mosambicensis tufts. Regrowth was lower (P≤0.01) in the heavy grazing sites for both species. This was more a function of tiller production rate, in terms of numbers of tillers, than of tiller extension rate. Rate of regrowth was not strongly affected by tuft size.     

新疆霍城假苇拂子茅种群构件的年龄结构

通过生长季末期单位面积取样的方法,对新疆霍城县沟谷中不同生境的假苇拂子茅(Calamagrostis pseudophragmits)种群构件的组成及其年龄结构进行了研究。结果表明,3个生境的假苇拂子茅分蘖节的存活年限最长为6 a,分蘖株在数量上均由5个龄级组成,属稳定型年龄结构。就单株生产力的整体水平而言,3个生境的生产力水平表现为生境H2>生境H3>生境H1,且各生境间存在显著差异(P<0.05),反映了单株生产力在不同生境间具有一定的差异。根茎的存活年限最长为5 a,根茎的生产力则以1 a或2 a龄级最高,各生境根茎长与根茎生物量均以1 a或2 a龄级所占比例最高,且随龄级的增加而递减,反映出潮湿、疏松的沙质土壤有利于假苇拂子茅根茎的生长和物质储存。     

The response of Acacia karroo plants to defoliation by hand compared to defoliation by goats

Abstract

The leaf and shoot growth of Acacia karroo plants defoliated by goats was compared to that of plants in which leaf only or leaf plus shoot‐tips were removed by hand, to simulate goat browsing.

There were no differences in leaf or shoot production between plants whose leaf only was removed compared to those that had both leaf and shoot‐tips removed. Leaf growth on the plants defoliated by goats at moderate levels was approximately three‐fold that on plants defoliated moderately by hand. The plants defoliated by hand produced approximately twice the amount of leaf that the undefoliated plants produced. Heavy defoliation by both hand and goat, produced approximately half the leaf growth that moderately defoliated plants produced, following equivalent defoliation. Shoot production of all plants defoliated by hand was no different to that of the undefoliated control plants and was considerably less than that of the plants defoliated by goats.     

行距对老芒麦种群构件组成、生物量结构及能量分配的影响

试验对30,45,60,75,90 cm行距下,第3年盛花期老芒麦种群的根、茎、叶、花序等构件数量性状、生物量结构、能量累积及分配比例进行比较分析。结果表明,行距对单位面积分蘖数与生殖枝比例有极显著影响;对叶长、叶宽、单蘖叶片数均无显著影响;对单蘖节数、节间长有显著影响,致使自然高度间差异极显著;根系深度与分布范围、花序柄及小穗数显著受行距影响;叶、茎、花序、根系的生物量均显著受行距的影响,顺序为茎＞叶＞根系＞花序;行距对叶、茎、根、花序的单位生物量能量值均无显著影响;对叶、茎、根、花序的能量累积有显著影响,影响由大到小的顺序为茎＞叶＞花序＞根;行距极显著影响老芒麦能量在构件间的分配,影响由大到小为叶＞茎＞花序＞根。30 cm是适合饲草生产的最佳行距,60 cm是适合种子生产的最佳行距。     

封育年限对典型草原大针茅无性系构件组成与生长的影响

研究不同封育年限对黄土高原大针茅(Stipa grandis)无性系构件结构组成和生长的影响,可为阐明无性系构件组成和资源分配提供一定基础。在黄土高原典型草原选取不同封育年限区(10和20年)和放牧地(对照)作为试验样地,采用整个无性系完整挖掘的方法进行大针茅无性系构件特征的研究。结果表明：1)与放牧相比,封育10年显著增加了大针茅无性系丛径、生殖枝高度和花序高度(P < 0.05),而封育20年则显著提高了大针茅无性系丛径、总枝数、生殖枝数、营养枝数、分蘖芽数、生殖枝高度、花序高度、地上总生物量、营养枝生物量和花序生物量(P < 0.05)。封育降低了大针茅生殖枝数、生殖枝高度、花序高度、地上总生物量、生殖枝生物量和花序生物量的变异系数。2)随封育年限增加,营养枝生物量比例明显提高,生殖枝生物量比例下降,但花序生物量比例基本不变。3)封育措施显著提高了营养株单株生物量(P < 0.05),但生殖株单株生物量和全体分枝单株生物量与放牧处理差异不显著(P > 0.05)。4)大针茅丛径与地上总生物量、生殖枝数、生殖枝生物量、花序生物量呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.001),与营养枝生物量呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.01),与总枝数呈显著正相关关系(P < 0.05)。而地上总生物量与生殖枝数、营养枝数、总枝数、营养枝生物量呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.001),与分蘖芽数、生殖枝生物量和花序生物量呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.01)。分蘖芽数与营养枝数、总枝数、营养枝生物量呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.001),与地上总生物量呈极显著正相关关系(P < 0.01)。综上所述,短期封育提高了大针茅的生殖分配,使大针茅迅速成为群落优势种,而长期封育使大针茅更依靠无性繁殖进行种群更新。     

Presidential address

In intact plants C¹⁴‐assimilates were translocated from the treated leaf on the primary tiller to young leaves on that tiller, to secondary tillers, and also to the roots. Plants defoliated after labelling revealed movement of materials from the storage organs to all the new leaves. Here these materials were used as a respiratory substrate and for the production of structural materials. Although initially after defoliation new leaves retained all their assimilates, presumably for their own growth, assimilates were soon translocated from these leaves to the roots.     

老芒麦同龄种群的种内竞争与结构研究Ⅱ．自疏与密度调节

老芒麦同龄种群以４个密度播种。分蘖数的增加，平均干重的增长以及源株和分蘖的死亡共同起作用调节种群的密度，这种调节属于低补偿效应的密度依赖性繁殖调节，它使分蘖种群的重量──密度关系值趋向于一个相似值而独立于播种密度。源株种群的重量──密度关系与－３／２法则相符，但分蘖种群则与之不符。源株种群的自疏线（ｒ＝１．１４）在第１年位于竞争自疏线（ｒ＝１．５）与竞争无自疏线（ｒ＝１）之间，但第２年自疏线斜率为０．７３，表明源株种群的自疏效应减少了。     

中国西南区野生芒居群表型变异研究

生物能源被认为是21世纪最有希望在解决能源危机方面有所作为的能源。芒植株普遍高大、生物质产量高、燃烧品质好,加之其分布广泛、抗逆性强、适宜在广袤的边际土地上种植,成为一种极为理想的生物能源植物。为探明中国西南区野生芒居群的表型多态性及表型变异规律,对37个野生居群材料的9个植物学形态特征及产量性状进行了研究。结果表明,11个表型性状在居群间的差异均达到极显著(P＜0.01)水平,各性状特征在居群间存在广泛的变异,变异系数由大到小依次为单株产量干重、单株产量鲜重、分蘖数、旗叶长、旗叶宽、叶宽、茎节数、茎节长度、茎粗、株高和叶长。11个性状特征间存在显著的相关性,叶片长而且宽的芒,旗叶长而宽,植株高大,茎秆粗壮,分蘖较少,反之亦然。此外发现分蘖数、株高、叶长3项指标对芒单株产量存在显著正相关(P＜0.01),是评价芒单株产量的3项主要指标。9个植物学形态特征可归成为4个主成分因子,累计贡献率达到82.551%,最大程度上反映了所有材料测定的表型特征。采用欧氏距离系统聚类法将37个芒野生居群依据9个植物学形态特征分为3类:植株高大叶片窄长型、植株高大叶片宽长型和植株低矮叶片窄短型。     

不同退化程度高寒草甸矮嵩草分株结构数量的研究

对不同退化程度下矮嵩草分株结构及数量关系进行了初步研究。结果表明不同退化程度下矮嵩草均以营养繁殖为主扩大无性系繁殖后代 ,单株无性系和无性系分株的分蘖芽占无性系分蘖总数的比例最大 ,分别为 41 97%～ 56 44%和 36 35 %～ 49 2 0 %。矮嵩草无性系分株构件结构可以概括为二级芽分蘖 (1年 )、一级芽分蘖 (1～ 2年 )、复合主分蘖 (2～ 3年 )、单分蘖 (2～ 3年 )、生殖分蘖 (3～ 4年 )和种子 6个组成部分。随放牧强度的增加 ,矮嵩草无性系分株各构件除生殖分蘖外均以中度退化程度为高。矮嵩草无性系分株的分蘖数、叶片数以及生物量都比单株无性系分株的为多。矮嵩草无性系分株生物量表现为根茎 >叶 >根 >生殖 ,地上生物量是地下生物量的 41 85 %～ 47 37%。