scholarly journals Photosynthetic regulation in seed heads and flag leaves of sagebrush-steppe bunchgrasses

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik P Hamerlynck ◽  
Elsie M Denton ◽  
Kirk W Davies ◽  
Chad S Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Sagebrush Steppe ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Specific Mass ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Flag Leaves ◽  
Seed Head ◽  
Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency

Abstract Native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrass populations are threatened by the spread and dominance of exotic invasive annual grasses, in part due to low, episodic seed production. In contrast, the widespread exotic bunchgrass, crested wheatgrass, readily produces viable seed cohorts. The mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear. To address this, we measured seed head specific mass (g m−2) and net photosynthetic assimilation (Anet) as a function of internal [CO2] (A/Ci curves) in pre- and post-anthesis seed heads and flag leaves of crested wheatgrass and four native bunchgrasses to determine if differences in allocation and photosynthetic characteristics of seed heads was consistent with differential reproductive success. Crested wheatgrass seed heads had 2-fold greater specific mass compared to the native grasses, concurrent with greater CO2-saturated photosynthesis (Amax), mesophyll carboxylation efficiency (CE), and higher intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi; Anet/stomatal conductance (gs)), but with similar relative stomatal limitations to photosynthesis (RSL). Post-anthesis seed head Amax, CE, RSL and gs decreased in native grasses, while crested wheatgrass RSL decreased and CE increased dramatically, likely due to tighter coordination between seed head structural changes with stomatal and biochemical dynamics. Our results suggest native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrasses have greater stomatal and structural constraints to reproductive photosynthesis, while the exotic grass has evolved seed heads functionally similar to leaves. This study shows elucidating reproduction-related ecophysiological mechanisms provide understanding of plant attributes that underlie restoration success and could help guide the development of native plant materials with functional attributes needed to overcome demographic bottlenecks that limit their restoration into degraded sagebrush-steppe.

scholarly journals Anticariogenic Potential of Korean Native Plant Extracts against Streptococcus mutans

Planta Medica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (16) ◽  
pp. 1242-1252
Author(s):  
Yun-Chae Lee ◽  
Sung-Gook Cho ◽  
Sang-Woo Kim ◽  
Jeong Nam Kim
Keyword(s):  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Minimal Bactericidal Concentration ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Adhesive Proteins

AbstractNumerous chemically synthesized compounds are widely used in oral hygiene products. However, due to their potential risk, there is a need to improve the safety and quality of dental care by seeking alternative control agents such as those naturally found in plant materials. Here we assessed antibacterial potentials of extracts from 100 species of Korean native plants against Streptococcus mutans on cariogenesis. Among those, extracts from five plants (Arctii Fructus, Caryopteris incana, Aralia continentalis, Symplocarpus renifolius, and Lamium amplexicaule) showed a growth inhibition of S. mutans. The five extracts were further individually evaluated for their minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration. Interestingly, a synergistic antibacterial activity was observed with the combination of sodium fluoride and the plant extracts. To determine the anti-biofilm activity of plant extracts, S. mutans was treated with increasing concentrations of the extracts in the range from 1250 to 3750 µg/mL. When S. mutans was grown in the defined biofilm medium containing the individual extracts of 47 species, the biofilm amount markedly decreased compared to that of a negative control. Notably, the extract of S. renifolius significantly downregulated the gtf and spaP genes for synthesis of glucan and adhesive proteins in S. mutans, and L. amplexicaule decreased the expression of gtfD gene. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the five plant extracts modulate survival and pathogenesis of S. mutans by growth inhibition and downregulation of the gene(s) implicated in biofilm formation.

Effect of Forage Kochia on Seedling Growth of Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and Perennial Grasses

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-207
Author(s):  
Parmeshwor Aryal ◽  
M. Anowarul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Bromus Tectorum ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Competitive Effect ◽  
Forage Kochia

AbstractForage kochia [Bassia prostrata(L.) A. J. Scott] is competitive with annual weeds and has potential for use in reclamation of disturbed land. However, land managers are reluctant to use forage kochia in revegetation programs due to lack of understanding of its compatibility with or invasiveness in the native plant community. We conducted two greenhouse experiments, one to compare the competitive effect of forage kochia versus perennial grasses on growth of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorumL.) and one to study the effect of forage kochia on growth of native perennial grasses. In the first experiment, a single seedling ofB. tectorumwas grown with increasing neighbor densities (0 to 5 seedlings pot−1) of either forage kochia, crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum(L.) Gaertner ×A. desertorum(Fisch. ex Link) Schultes; nonnative perennial grass], or thickspike wheatgrass [Elymus lanceolatus(Scribn. & J. G. Sm.) Gould; native perennial grass].Bromus tectorumgrowth was reduced moderately by all three perennial neighbors, butA. cristatumandE. lanceolatushad more effect onB. tectorumwhen compared with forage kochia. This experiment was repeated and similar results were observed. In the second experiment, forage kochia was grown with each of four native cool-season grass species: basin wildrye [Leymus cinereus(Scribn. & Merr.) Á. Löve], bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata(Pursh) Á. Löve],E. lanceolatus, and western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii(Rydb.) Á. Löve]. Forage kochia had no effect on height, tiller number, and aboveground biomass of native grasses. Similarly, native grasses did not show a significant effect on forage kochia seedlings. This experiment was also repeated, and forage kochia somewhat reduced the aboveground biomass ofL. cinereusandP. spicata. However, all native grasses significantly reduced change in height, branching, and aboveground biomass of forage kochia. These results suggest that forage kochia interfered withB. tectorumseedling growth, but it showed little competitive effect on native grass seedlings.

scholarly journals Cheatgrass invasion alters the abundance and composition of dark septate fungal communities in sagebrush steppe

Botany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Gehring ◽  
Michaela Hayer ◽  
Lluvia Flores-Rentería ◽  
Andrew F. Krohn ◽  
Egbert Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Sagebrush Steppe ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Native Plant Species ◽  
Dark Septate Fungi

Invasive, non-native plant species can alter soil microbial communities in ways that contribute to their persistence. While most studies emphasize mycorrhizal fungi, invasive plants also may influence communities of dark septate fungi (DSF), which are common root endophytes that can function like mycorrhizas. We tested the hypothesis that a widespread invasive plant in the western United States, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), influenced the abundance and community composition of DSF by examining the roots and rhizosphere soils of cheatgrass and two native plant species in cheatgrass-invaded and noninvaded areas of sagebrush steppe. We focused on cheatgrass because it is negatively affected by mycorrhizal fungi and colonized by DSF. We found that DSF root colonization and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness were significantly higher in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) and rice grass (Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth) from invaded areas than noninvaded areas. Cheatgrass roots had similar levels of DSF colonization and OTU richness as native plants. The community composition of DSF varied with invasion in the roots and soils of native species and among the roots of the three plant species in the invaded areas. The substantial changes in DSF we observed following cheatgrass invasion argue for comparative studies of DSF function in native and non-native plant species.

PERFORMANCE OF SOME NATIVE AND INTRODUCED GRASSES IN A SEMIARID REGION OF WESTERN CANADA

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. LAWRENCE ◽  
C. D. RATZLAFF
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Management System ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Slender Wheatgrass

Twelve strains of native grasses which had undergone selection prior to testing were compared with three introduced grasses under the same management system. On the basis of the 5-yr mean D M yield, crested wheatgrass and meadow bromegrass produced 79% more forage than the native species. Crested wheatgrass and intermediate wheat-grass produced 167% more seed on average than other species. The native species, especially slender wheatgrass and awned wheatgrass suffered considerable winter injury and winter killing. This study supports the belief that most native grasses are shortlived and low-yielding compared to introduced species and that breeders should concentrate their efforts on the introduced species which have an inheritantly higher yield potential.Key words: native grasses, introduced grasses, Agropyron, Bromus, Elymus, Thinopyrum, winter killing, breeding

Development of Native Plant Materials for Restoration and Rehabilitation of Colorado Plateau Ecosystems

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy E. Wood ◽  
Kyle Doherty ◽  
Wayne Padgett
Keyword(s):  
Colorado Plateau ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Plant Materials

scholarly journals Survey of Master Gardener Use of Native Plants in the Southeastern United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 462-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Brzuszek ◽  
Richard L. Harkess ◽  
Lelia Kelly
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Educational Outreach ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Master Gardener ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Interest Level ◽  
Cooperative Extension Services

The Master Gardener program is a volunteer horticultural training and an educational outreach program developed and managed by state cooperative extension services. Previous research in the southeastern United States revealed that landscape architects and contractors are increasingly using native plant materials in their projects and this often exceeds regional plant availability. A survey of green industry in the region showed supply is driven by consumer demand and education. To determine if native plant demand is encountered by plant purchasers other than landscape architects, this study evaluates the interest level and market use of native plants by Master Gardeners of six southeastern states. A web-based survey was developed, and Master Gardeners were invited to participate by their state Master Gardener coordinators. The survey included questions on how Master Gardeners use native plants in their home landscape, how they best learn about them, the species they have purchased, and their interest level. A total of 979 Master Gardeners completed the survey. Results revealed that this particular consumer group is enthusiastic about native plants and supports the landscape professionals' claims that marketing for native plants could improve if plants were available at more retail outlets, by having more types (herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees) and species for sale, and by offering greater quantities of plants.

scholarly journals Indaziflam controls non-native annual mustards but negatively affects native forbs in sagebrush steppe

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Jordan Meyer-Morey ◽  
Matthew Lavin ◽  
Jane Mangold ◽  
Catherine Zabinski ◽  
Lisa J. Rew
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Sagebrush Steppe ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Forage Production

Abstract Non-native plant invasions can have devastating effects on native plant communities; conversely management efforts can have non-target and deleterious impacts on desirable plants. In the arid sagebrush steppe rangelands of the western United States, non-native winter annual species affect forage production and biodiversity. One method proposed to control these species is to suppress the soil seed bank using the pre-emergent herbicide indaziflam. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of indaziflam to control non-native annual mustards (Alyssum spp.) and to understand potential non-target effects of management on the diverse mountain sagebrush steppe plant communities within Yellowstone National Park. Six sites were established along an elevation gradient (1615 – 2437m), each with high and low Alyssum spp. infestations. We applied 63g ai ha−1 of indaziflam in late summer of 2018 and evaluated plant community cover in situ for two years after treatment, and emergence of forb species from the soil seed bank ex situ. Indaziflam was highly effective at controlling Alyssum spp. emergence for two years. Richness and Shannon’s diversity of the non-target plant community were significantly lower in sprayed plots than the control, and both decreased along the elevation gradient. These reductions were due to a decrease in perennial forbs and native annual forbs in the sprayed plots; perennial graminoids were not affected. Overall, the above ground and seed bank community composition was negatively impacted by indaziflam, and these effects were strongest for the native annual forbs that rely on annual regeneration from the seed bank. The effects of this herbicide to the non-target community should be evaluated beyond the length of our study time, however we conclude indaziflam should likely be reserved for use in areas that are severely invaded and have seed banks that are comprised of non-desirable species rather than diverse, native mountain sagebrush communities.

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