Potential Distribution of Five Native Grass Species in Northern Mexico and their Dynamics due to Climate Variability

AbstractSulfur cinquefoil is an exotic, perennial forb that invades a wide range of ecosystems in western North America. It forms dense populations and often threatens native plant species and communities. In this study, we address the following questions: (1) what herbicides, rates, and application times are most effective at reducing sulfur cinquefoil abundance while having the least impact on native plants; and (2) does postherbicide seeding with native grass species increase native plant abundance? In 2002, we experimentally examined the effects of five herbicides (dicamba + 2,4-D; metsulfuron-methyl; triclopyr; glyphosate; and picloram) at two rates of application (low and high), three application times (early summer, fall, and a combined early summer–fall treatment), and two postherbicide seed addition treatments (seeded or not seeded) on sulfur cinquefoil abundance, plant community composition, and species richness. Experimental plots were monitored through 2005. Picloram was the most effective herbicide at reducing sulfur cinquefoil density, the proportion of remaining adult plants, and seed production. The effects of picloram continued to be evident after 3 yr, with 80% reduction of sulfur cinquefoil in 2005. In addition, seeding of native grass seeds alone (no herbicide application) reduced the proportion of sulfur cinquefoil plants that were reproductively active. Despite reductions in sulfur cinquefoil abundance, all treatments remained dominated by exotic species because treated areas transitioned from exotic forb- to exotic grass-dominated communities. However, a one-time herbicide application controlled sulfur cinquefoil for at least 3 yr, and therefore might provide a foundation to begin ecological restoration. Herbicide applications alone likely are to be insufficient for long-term sulfur cinquefoil control without further modification of sites through native grass or forb seeding. Integrating herbicides with native plant seeding to promote the development of plant communities that are resistant to sulfur cinquefoil invasion is a promising management approach to ecological restoration.

Download Full-text

Allelopathic effect of Aconitum pendulum (Ranunculaceae) on seed germination and seedlings of five native grass species in the Tibetan Plateau

Nordic Journal of Botany ◽

10.1111/j.1756-1051.2011.01120.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 488-494 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Zhan-Huan Shang ◽

Yan Tang ◽

Rui-Jun Long

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Grass Species ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Native Grass

Download Full-text

Smoke affects the Germination of Native Grasses of New South Wales

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt97124 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 563 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Tamara R. Read ◽

Sean M. Bellairs

Keyword(s):

New South ◽

Germination Rate ◽

New South Wales ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Grass Species ◽

Native Grasses ◽

Environmental Stimulus ◽

Native Grass ◽

South Wales ◽

Stimulation Of

The germination responses to plant-derived smoke of seeds of 20 native grass species from New South Wales, Australia, were tested under laboratory conditions. The species belonged to 14 genera including Bothriochloa, Chloris, Cymbopogon, Danthonia, Dichanthium, Digitaria, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Microlaena, Panicum, Paspalidium, Poa, Stipa and Themeda. The interaction between smoke and husk-imposed dormancy was examined by removing the floral structures surrounding the seeds, when sufficient seeds were available. Smoke was shown to be an important environmental stimulus for breaking the dormancy of native grasses; however, the response differed considerably between different genera and between species of the same genus. For almost half of the species, smoke significantly increased the germination percentage. Panicum decompositum showed the greatest response, with germination increasing from 7.7 to 63.1% when smoke was applied. Panicum effusum had no germination in the absence of smoke, but 16.7% germination when smoke was applied. Stipa scabra subsp. scabra had germination significantly reduced by smoke from 30.2 to 19.9%. Five species had their germination rate, but not the final germination percentage, affected by smoke, and a third of the species were unaffected by smoke. For five of the species, Chloris ventricosa, Dichanthium sericeum, Panicum decompositum, Poa labillardieri and Stipa scabra subsp. falcata, this is the first report of a smoke-stimulated germination response. For those species with germination promoted by smoke, retention of the covering structures did not prevent smoke stimulation of germination. Sowing smoke-treated husked seeds is likely to be preferable as it would still promote greater germination, whereas dehusking seeds can result in the seeds being more susceptible to desiccation and fungal attack in the field. It is suggested that other grassland communities that respond to pyric conditions may also contain species that respond to smoke.

Download Full-text

Seed-to-seed potential allelopathic effects between Ligularia virgaurea and native grass species of Tibetan alpine grasslands

Ecological Research ◽

10.1007/s11284-010-0751-x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 47-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Shiting Zhang ◽

Junpeng Liu ◽

Xiaohui Bao ◽

Kechang Niu

Keyword(s):

Grass Species ◽

Alpine Grasslands ◽

Native Grass ◽

Ligularia Virgaurea ◽

Allelopathic Effects

Download Full-text

Effects of a New Herbicide (Aminocyclopyrachlor) on Buffalograss and Forbs in Shortgrass Prairie

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-11-00126.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 455-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Keith R. Harmoney ◽

Phillip W. Stahlman ◽

Patrick W. Geier ◽

Robert Rupp

Keyword(s):

Growth Regulator ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Leaf Growth ◽

Growing Season ◽

Grass Species ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Native Grass ◽

Synthetic Auxin ◽

Shortgrass Prairie ◽

And Control

Herbicides used to control many forb species in pastures may injure desirable native grass species. Buffalograss, a major component of shortgrass rangeland, often is injured by some growth regulator herbicides, such as 2,4-D and dicamba. Aminocyclopyrachlor (formerly known as DPX-MAT28 and herein termed ACPCR), a new synthetic auxin herbicide chemistry for control of broadleaf weeds, was investigated for injury to buffalograss and control of forbs in shortgrass prairie at varying rates of application. In the season of application, ACPCR at rates of 140 g ai ha−1or less caused buffalograss injury that was either negligible or short-lived, and visual estimates of grass injury were 8% or less at the end of the growing season. At ACPCR rates of 280 g ha−1, more injury was evident at 3 wk after treatment (WAT) than at the end of the season if adequate precipitation was available for new leaf growth. When precipitation was lacking, evidence of injury persisted through to the end of the season when treated at the greatest rate of ACPCR. Buffalograss injury was mainly in the form of browned leaf tips, but total buffalograss dry matter yield was not different between any treatments in either year. The year after treatment, no buffalograss injury was evident from any of the herbicide rates. Final forb control was 97% or greater each year for ACPCR at the 140 and 280 g ha−1rates. In this experiment, rates as low as ACPCR at 140 g ha−1provided excellent forb control and maintained buffalograss productivity.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of California Native Grass Species for Sod Development

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.807-809.1848 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 807-809 ◽

pp. 1848-1851

Author(s):

Jing Gong ◽

Ming Huang ◽

Li Sheng Liu

Keyword(s):

Weed Suppression ◽

Grass Species ◽

Field Site ◽

Native Grass ◽

Sediment Control ◽

Development Potential ◽

Reinforcement Material

The objective of this research was to develop and demonstrate native grass sod for sediment control from disturbed lands associated with California highways. The research evaluated native grass species for inclusion in sod and evaluated the sod at a California highway field site. Seed mixes, including rhizomatous and bunchgrass species, were evaluated in a greenhouse setting for six California ecoregions. Growth and sod development potential of each seed mix for each ecoregion were evaluated. Seed mixes for three California ecoregions were further evaluated with a reinforcement material, and for establishment and weed suppression. Establishment and weed suppression of select ecoregion seed mixes and reinforcement materials were evaluated. Results indicated that multispecies sod has potential for use in revegetation of disturbed lands associated with highways.

Download Full-text