Abstract
The native prairies of the Great Plains USA are dominated by perennial C4 grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). Spring hard freeze injury to C4 perennial grasses is rare but information is lacking in the literature. Our objective was to document effects of spring hard freeze damage to C4 perennial grasses native to the Great Plains USA. On 2 May at 24:00 pm, air temperature near Mead, Nebraska was below freezing and remained below freezing until 8:00 am on 3 May, with a minimum air temperature of -2.8°C. Based on 50-year of weather data for this site, a minimum threshold temperature of 0°C on or after 3 May occurred 16 times, but a minimum threshold temperature of -2.8°C on or after 3 May occurred only twice. Grass tillers were visually evaluated to determine extent of freeze damage. The terminal 3- to 5-cm of the leaf lamina was blackened 4-d after freezing and had complete browning, rolling, and desiccation 14-d after freezing. Tiller survival was not negatively affected by the freezing temperatures in May 2004. As the growing season progressed, all agronomic and livestock responses were within normal ranges for these C4 grasses. This is the first field report of multiple C4 prairie grass species responses to a spring hard freeze following significant spring growth. Plant recovery to this late-spring hard freeze demonstrates the ecological resilience of these C4 prairie grasses. These rare spring hard freezes had short-term impacts on C4 grasses but did not negatively impact agronomic performance for forage or bioenergy later in the growing season.
Highlights
The Great Plains of the central USA are characterized by a continental climate with cold dry winters, hot humid summers, and highly variable weather patterns
The Prairie Parkland Province of the eastern Great Plains USA is dominated by perennial C4 grasses, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) [1] [2]
Our objective was to document the damage to field-grown C4 perennial grasses native to the Great Plains USA associated with a naturally-occurring spring hard freeze
Summary
The Great Plains of the central USA are characterized by a continental climate with cold dry winters, hot humid summers, and highly variable weather patterns. The Prairie Parkland Province of the eastern Great Plains USA is dominated by perennial C4 grasses, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) [1] [2]. Extreme temperatures during spring and autumn periodically expose living tissues of perennial grasses to a range of high and low temperatures, often within a 24-h period. Spring frost damage to C4 turfgrasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and Zoysia grass (Zoysia spp.) is mentioned in the extension literature [5], but the literature includes minimal field research information on the C4 perennial prairie grasses native to the Prairie Parkland Province of the Great Plains USA. Our objective was to document the damage to field-grown C4 perennial grasses native to the Great Plains USA associated with a naturally-occurring spring hard freeze
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