Phenology of perennial, native grass, belowground axillary buds in the northern mixed-grass prairie
| Autor: | Morgan L. Russell, John R. Hendrickson, Amy C. Ganguli, Lance T. Vermeire |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2017 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Perennial plant Population Plant Science Biology Poaceae 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Soil Axillary bud Genetics education Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics education.field_of_study food and beverages Pascopyrum 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences Mixed grass prairie biology.organism_classification Grassland Hesperostipa comata Agronomy North America Bouteloua gracilis 040103 agronomy & agriculture 0401 agriculture forestry and fisheries Dormancy Seasons |
| Zdroj: | American Journal of Botany. 104:915-923 |
| ISSN: | 1537-2197 0002-9122 |
| DOI: | 10.3732/ajb.1700132 |
| Popis: | PREMISE OF THE STUDY Vegetative reproduction from belowground bud banks is the primary driver of grassland systems. Despite the importance of bud banks, the timing of recruitment and the crucial link between formation and maintenance is unknown. METHODS We assessed patterns of belowground bud development, dormancy, and mortality associated with three perennial native grasses in the northern Great Plains. Temperature and soil moisture were measured below the soil surface to determine relationships with belowground bud development. KEY RESULTS Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) generated more buds over winter that remained dormant; whereas, C3 species needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), maintained limited dormant buds throughout winter. Soil temperature was a good predictor for C4 species bud production; whereas, soil moisture was a reliable predictor for C3 buds. Distinct differences existed between C4 species blue grama and C3 species needle-and-thread, whereas C3 species western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) was intermediate, indicating there is likely a species-specific continuum between the C3 and C4 extremes rather than a stark difference. CONCLUSIONS The ability to predict belowground bud development is a novel insight to native perennial grasses. Native grass species' strategies and adaptability regarding belowground bud bank size and bud phenology are important factors optimizing tiller recruitment given the variable growing conditions. Patterns of bud dormancy and development will provide insight to the underlying mechanisms by which management practices and fluctuations in precipitation amount and growing season length can alter mixed-grass prairie plant community dynamics. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
Plný text