Experimental evidence that the perennial grass persistence pathway is linked to plant growth strategy.

ABSTRACT: Grass species can be classified into different functional types based on their growth strategies, and contrasting persistence strategies are observed in different grass species. Excluding seedling recruitments, changes in populations of grasses are basically a trade-off between natality and mortality of tillers. We hypothesised that the persistence pathway of perennial grasses is linked to their growth strategy, regardless whether they are growing as monoculture or as a mixture. Species with contrasting growth strategies (Arrhenatherum elatius L., Dactylis glomerata L., and Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were cultivated as monocultures and as a mixture and their tiller natality and mortality were evaluated for two years after swards establishment. All pastures maintained their population siz

SUBMITTER: Duchini PG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6261051 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature