scholarly journals Effect of Standing Litter on Rough Fescue Utilization by Cattle

Rangelands ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene Moisey ◽  
Walter Willms ◽  
Edward Bork
Keyword(s):  
Rough Fescue ◽  
Standing Litter

scholarly journals Effect of Standing Litter on Rough Fescue Utilization by Cattle

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene M. Moisey ◽  
Walter D. Willms ◽  
Edward W. Bork
Keyword(s):  
Rough Fescue ◽  
Standing Litter

Response of rough fescue (Festuca scabrella) to light, water, temperature, and litter removal, under controlled conditions

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Willms
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Plant Response ◽  
Litter Removal ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Rough Fescue ◽  
Standing Litter ◽  
Water Contents

Defoliation of dormant native plants often results in reduced plant height and productivity when growth resumes. To identify a possible mechanism for this effect, three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the response is determined by a modified environment at the crown. Rough fescue (Festuca scabrella Torr.) sod was removed from native grassland during dormancy and transplanted into pots. In the first experiment, clipped plants were subjected to radiation densities (PAR) varying from 80 to 360 μE∙m−2∙s−1. In the second experiment, plants were grown in five soil water contents: 100, 100–80, 100–60, 100–50, and 100–40% of field capacity. In the third experiment, plant response to two levels of each factor (PAR, water, and temperature, 20:10 or 15:5 °C (light:dark)) were examined in relation to litter removal by clipping or burning. Plant response was measured as plant height, number of tillers, and tiller weight. Plant growth was most responsive to soil water deficits and least responsive to temperature. Plant height and tiller weight were 32% less than the control (field capacity) when soil water content was allowed to decline to 60% of field capacity. Plant height was decreased, but not tiller density, with increased PAR. Removing standing litter by clipping resulted in increased tillering (14%) and reduced plant height (15%). Since soil water was not limiting, the effect of clipping was attributed to increased PAR near the crown following litter removal.

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

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Willms ◽  
J. King ◽  
J. F. Dormaar
Keyword(s):  
Late Summer ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Litter Mass ◽  
Litter Biomass ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Forage Value ◽  
Rough Fescue ◽  
Standing Litter

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 Agri-Food 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. Over-winter 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. Key words: Standing litter, buried litter, biomass, forage quality, winter, Parry oat grass, Idaho fescue, rough fescue, smooth aster

Effects of long-term protection from grazing on phenotypic expression in geographically separated mountain rough fescue populations

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Thompson ◽  
W. D. Willms
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
History Of ◽  
Genetic Makeup ◽  
Rough Fescue ◽  
Geographic Sources ◽  
Lake Site ◽  
Summer Grazing

Thompson, D. J. and Willms, W. D. 2014. Effects of long-term protection from grazing on phenotypic expression in geographically separated mountain rough fescue populations. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 33–39. Whether or not long-term grazing or protection from grazing alters the genetic makeup of grass populations has been debated. Mountain rough fescue [(Festuca campestris (Rydb.)], which is highly sensitive to summer grazing, and becomes dominant in plant communities with long-term protection, was chosen to address this question. Plants from three geographic sites (Stavely in AB, Milroy in the Kootenay trench, BC and Goose Lake on the BC interior plateau) with divergent grazing histories were vegetatively propagated from tillers. Daughter plants were planted into two field nurseries (at Kamloops, BC, and Stavely, AB) and morphological measurements were taken in two field seasons post-establishment. Plants from all three populations were taller, flowered earlier, and were more productive at the Kamloops nursery site. Of the three geographic sources, plants from the Goose Lake site were most distinct with narrower leaves, later flowering, and greater yield. Plants with a long history of grazing had slightly shorter fertile tillers and leaves than plants with a history of long-term protection.

Detection of genetic diversity in rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb) populations of southern Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, using RAPD markers

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-312
Author(s):  
Zhao Mengli ◽  
Han Bing ◽  
Walter D Willms
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Genetic Distance ◽  
Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽  
Geographic Distance ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Gene Frequencies ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Potential Adaptation ◽  
Rough Fescue

Mountain rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) is a tufted native grass in southern Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, and has attracted interest for use in reclamation. However, its seed is often available from only a few localized sources and may not be adapted for areas removed from the collection site. We conducted a study to determine the genetic variability among rough fescue populations to assess its potential adaptation. Thirty plants were collected from each of six populations and analyzed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). One population (Kamloops, BC) was separated by several mountain ranges from the five easterly Alberta populations.The Kamloops population was also separated from the Alberta populations by genetic distance in two clusters. Of the total genetic variation present in the data, 21% was found among populations while the remaining (79%) was found within populations. Nei’s genetic distances among populations were related to their geographical distances. Genetic differences among populations appeared to be caused primarily by differences in gene frequencies rather than rare genes. Also, genetic diversity appeared to increase from west to east suggesting that the more easterly populations had greater adaptation potential. We speculate that the more easterly populations are less likely to share genes since the prevailing winds are from the west. Germplasm from the more easterly populations may be used with suitable precautions within Alberta and possibly around Kamloops. Key words: Genetic distance, geographic distance, reclamation, potential adaptation

scholarly journals Reactivation of nutrient cycling in an urban tropical dry forest after abandonment of agricultural activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-365
Author(s):  
Juan D. León-Peláez ◽  
◽  
William Caicedo-Ruiz ◽  
Jeiner Castellanos-Barliza ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Mean Residence Time ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Leaf Litterfall ◽  
Passive Restoration ◽  
Standing Litter

Introduction: Standing leaf litter represent an essential source of organic matter and nutrients to dynamize biogeochemical processes at the ecosystem level. Objectives: To characterize the accumulation and decomposition of organic materials and flow of nutrients from standing litter in an urban dry tropical forest in a successional stage, after 10 years of abandonment of agricultural activities, and to determine the potential use of three species in future active restoration activities. Materials and methods: Standing litter samples were collected from a forest fragment in Santa Marta, Colombia, separating leaves, reproductive material, woody material and other residues. Additionally, leaves of three species of interest for ecological restoration (Albizia niopoides Spruce ex Benth., Cordia alba [Jacq.] Roem. & Schult. and Machaerium milleflorum Dugand G. A.) were separated and Ca, Mg, K, N and P concentrations were determined. Results and discussion: Total standing litter was 8.3 Mg∙ha-1 with a mean residence time of two years. The leaves represented 20% of the standing litter, with a mean residence time of 1.4 years. Based on the decomposition constant (kj = 0.73) and the rate of leaf litterfall, organic matter returns accounted for 3.4 Mg∙ha-1∙year-1. Leaf decomposition rate decreased in the following order C. alba > M. milleflorum > A. niopoides. P represented the greatest limitation with low release rates (0.1 to 1.2 kg∙ha-1∙year-1). Conclusions: The passive restoration strategy allowed reactivation of biogeochemical cycle via fine leaf litter. Cordia alba showed potential for inclusion in restoration activities, with lower values for leaf N/P ratio, and higher rates for leaf litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient release.

scholarly journals Grazing Effects on Snow Accumulation on Rough Fescue Grasslands

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter D. Willms ◽  
David S. Chanasyk
Keyword(s):  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Grazing Effects ◽  
Rough Fescue

EFFECT OF SOIL TEMPERATURE ON SEEDLING EMERGENCE

1962 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Dubetz ◽  
G. C. Russell ◽  
D. T. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Sweet Clover ◽  
Sugar Beets ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Wild Oats ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Rate Of Emergence ◽  
Rough Fescue

Rate and percentage of emergence of 19 native and cultivated herbaceous species were studied at the following soil temperature: 6°, 13°, 18°, and 24 °C. The soil temperatures were held uniformly constant, and emergence data at the end of 5 weeks from four replications in time were obtained. The rate of emergence of all species was greater at 18 °C. than at 6 °C., and of all but five species was greater at 24 °C. than at 18 °C.The percentage of emergence of barley, bromegrass, crested wheatgrass, mustard, oats, peas, spring wheat, and wild oats was not significantly affected by soil temperature. Beans, corn, sugar beets, and sunflowers showed significantly lower emergence percentages at 6 °C. than at the three higher soil temperatures. Alfalfa, creeping red fescue, winter wheat, orchardgrass, rough fescue, sweet clover, and flax emerged best at moderate soil temperatures.

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