Abstract
We investigated the response of the important forage plant Luzula arcuata Swartz ssp. confusa (Lindeb.) Blytt to simulated grazing during two growing seasons in a phytotron. Plants were clipped at five levels of intensity and fertilized at two levels of nitrogen. There was no reduction in net primary production of clipped compared with unclipped plants after either of the two growing seasons. Such results indicate that L. arcuata ssp. confusa can compensate for defoliation. Plants overcompensated in net aboveground primary production (NAPP) in the first season and compensated in NAPP in the second season. Plant traits contributing to the compensation in NAPP were stimulation of tillering in clipped plants, increase in specific leaf area of the most heavily clipped plants, and a higher proportion of NAPP occurring below clipping height in frequently clipped plants. Sexual reproduction (number of flowering shoots) was enhanced in the second season in plants clipped at 6 cm above the soil and reduced in plan...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
