Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Defoliation responses of western wheatgrass populations with diverse histories of prairie dog grazing

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Photosynthesis and regrowth were compared over a 10-day period following defoliation of about 75% of the tillers of western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) plants collected from a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) town and a grazing exclosure at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. Prior to defoliation, dog town plants had more tillers, but fewer leaves per tiller, shorter and narrower leaf blades, more horizontal leaves, and higher leaf blade/leaf sheath ratios than plants from the grazing exclosure. Rates of net photosynthesis (PN) did not differ significantly among plants of the two populations, either prior to or following defoliation. From Days 2–10 following defoliation, PN of remaining undamaged leaves averaged 104% of predefoliation rates while PN of similar leaves on non-defoliated plants declined steadily with time. averaging only 79% predefoliation rates during this period. Following defoliation, transpiration rates followed similar trends to CO2 exchange, and rates did not differ between plants of the two populations. Absolute rates of leaf elongation and shoot production were greater in plants from the exclosure. However, defoliation of plants from the exclosure population resulted in a 20% reduction in their cumulative shoot dry weight, while cumulative shoot dry weight of plants from the prairie dog town was not significantly affected by defoliation. This apparent ability of plants from the prairie dog town population to withstand defoliation better than plants from the exclosure was atributed to factors such as the higher leaf blade/leaf sheath ratio and more horizontal leaf angles of plants from the former population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackerson RC, Chilcote DO (1978) Effects of defoliation and TIBA (Triiodobenzoic acid) on tillering, dry matter production, and carbohydrate reserves of two cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass. Crop Sci 18:705–708

    Google Scholar 

  • Brougham RW, Harris W (1967) Rapidity and extent of changes in genotypic structure induced by grazing in a ryegrass population. N Z J Agric Res 10:56–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Chew RM (1974) Consumers as regulators of ecosystems: An alternative to energetics. Ohio J Sci 74:359–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Coppock DL, Detling JK, Dyer MI (1980) Interactions among bison, prairie dogs and vegetation in Wind Cave National Park. Final Report to National Park Service, Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, South Dakota. 177 pp

  • Deinum B (1976) Photosynthesis and sink size: An explanation for the low productivity of grass swards in autumn. Netherlands J Agric Sci 24:238–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Detling JK, Dyer MI, Winn DT (1979a) Net photosynthesis, root respiration, and regrowth of Bouteloua gracilis following simulated grazing. Oecologia (Berl.) 41:127–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Detling JK, Dyer MI, Winn DT (1979b) Effect of simulated grasshopper grazing on CO2 exchange rates of western wheatgrass leaves. J Econ Entomol 72:403–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Detling JK, Dyer MI, Procter-Gregg C, Winn DT (1980) Plantherbivore interactions: Examination of potential effects of bison saliva on regrowth of Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. Oecologia (Berlin) 45:26–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan WG, Loomis RS, Williams WA, Hanau R (1967) A model for simulating photosynthesis in plant communities. Hilgardia 38:181–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaastra P (1959) Photosynthesis of crop plants as influenced by light, carbon dioxide, temperature, and stomatal diffusion resistance, Mededelingen Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen 59:1–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Gifford RM, Marshall C (1973) Photosynthesis and assimilate distribution in Lolium multiflorum Lam. following differential tiller defoliation. Aus J Biol Sci 26:517–526

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray AJ, Scott R (1980) A genecological study of Puccinellia maritima Huds. (Parl.). I. Variation estimated from single plant samples from British populations. New Phytol 85:89–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregor JW, Sansome FW (1926) Experiments on the genetics of wild populations. Part I. Grasses. J Genet 17:349–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall FR, Ferree DC (1976) Effects of insect injury simulation on photosynthesis of apple leaves. J Econ Entomol 69:245–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickey WC, Jr. (1961) Growth form of crested wheatgrass as affected by site and grazing. Ecol 42:173–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson KC (1974) Influence of partial defoliation on photosynthesis, photorespiration, and transpiration by lucerne leaves of different ages. Aust J Plant Physiol 1:561–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson KC, Smith NG, Miles GE (1972) The photosynthetic capacity of stubble leaves and their contribution to grouth of the lucerne plant after high level cutting. Aust J Agric Res 23:225–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Jameson DA (1963) Responses of individual plants to harvesting. Bot Rev 29:532–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemp WB (1937) Natural selection within plant species as exemplified in a permanent pasture. J Hered 28:329–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Kigel J (1980) Analysis of regrowth patterns and carbohydrate levels in Lolium multiflorum Lam. Ann Bot 45:91–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud A, Grime JP, Furness SB (1975) Polymorphism in Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv. ex J.&C. Presl. New Phytol 75:269–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall C, Sagar GR (1965) The influence of defoliation on the distribution of assimilates in Lolium multiflorum Lam. Ann Bot 29:365–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall C, Sagar GR (1968) The distribution of assimilates in Lolium multiflorum Lam. following differential defoliation. Ann Bot 32:715–719

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattson WJ, Addy ND (1975) Phytophagous insects as regulators of forest primary production. Sci 190:515–522

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton SJ (1974) Developmental control of net productivity in Typha latifolia ecotypes. Ecol 55:864–869

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton SJ (1979a) Grassland-herbivore dynamics. In: ARE Sinclair, M Norton-Griffiths (eds) Serengeti, Dynamics of an Ecosytem. Univ of Chicago Press Chicago p 46–81

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton SJ (1979b) Grazing as an optimization process: Grass-ungulate relationships in the Serengeti. Amer Nat 113:691–703

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA (1972) The carbon balance of plants. Ann Rev Ecol Syst 3:315–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueggler WF (1975) Rate and pattern of vigor recovery in Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. J Range Manage 28:198–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Painter EL, Detling JK (1981) Effects of defoliation on net photosynthesis and regrowth of western wheatgrass. J Range Manage 34:68–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson RA (1962) Factors affecting resistance to heavy grazing in needle-and-thread grass. J Range Manage 15:183–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Pond FW (1960) Vigor of Idaho fescue in relation to different grazing intensities. J Range Manage 13:28–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Pym RVE, Milham PJ (1976) Selectivity of reaction among chlorine, ammonia, and salicylate for determination of ammonia. Anal Chem 48:1413–1415

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn JA, Miller RV (1967) A biotic selection study utilizing Muhlenbergia montana. Bull Torrey Bot Club 94:423–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Satoh M, Kriedemann PE, Loveys BR (1977) Changes in photosynthetic activity and related processes following decapitation in mulberry trees. Physiol Plant 41:203–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims PL, Singh JS, Lauenroth WK (1978) The structure and function of ten western North American grasslands. I. Abiotic and vegetational characteristics. J Ecol 66:251–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Stapledon RG (1928) Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata L.): Ecotypes in relation to the biotic factor. J Ecol 16:71–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas RL, Shead RW, Moyer JR (1967) Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium analysis of plant material using a single digestion. Agron J 59:240–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Wareing PF, Khalifa MM, Treharne KJ (1968) Rate-limiting processes in photosynthesis at saturating light intensities. Nature 220:453–457

    Google Scholar 

  • Warwick SI (1980) The genecology of lawn weeds. VII. The response of different growth forms of Plantago major L. and Poa annua L. to simulated trampling New Phytol 85:461–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams GJ, III, Kemp PR (1978) Simultaneous measurement of leaf and root gas exchange of shortgrass prairie species. Bot Gaz 139:150–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Youngner VB (1972) Physiology of defoliation and regrowth. In: VB Youngner, CM McKell (eds), The biology and utilization of grasses. Academic Press, New York and London pp 292–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Youngner VB, Nudge F, Ackerson R (1976) Growth of Kentucky bluegrass leaves and tillers with and without defoliation. Crop Sci 16:110–113

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    J. K. Detling & E. L. Painter

Authors
  1. J. K. Detling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. L. Painter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Detling, J.K., Painter, E.L. Defoliation responses of western wheatgrass populations with diverse histories of prairie dog grazing. Oecologia 57, 65–71 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379563

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379563

Keywords

Search

Navigation