Chrysopogon Gryllus Research Articles

Impact of fertilizing on biodiversity in pasture ecosystems

Biodiversity in grazing systems determines production efficiency, system stability and resilience, and nutrient retention. In this relation during the period 2016-2018, a scientific research experiment was conducted on a natural grass stand of the Nardus stricta L. type at an altitude of 1400 m in the area of Chuchul (Bulgaria) of the following rates of fertilization: 1. Untreated (Control); 2. Annual fertilizing with N60P60; 3. First-year fertilizing with N60, and second and third with P60; 4. First-year fertilizing with P60, and second and third with N60; 5. First and second year fertilizing with N60, and third with P60; 6. First and second year fertilizing with P60, and third with N60; 7. First year fertilizing with N60, second year with P60, third year with N60; 8. First-year fertilizing with P60, second year with N60, third year with P60. The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of fertilizing with mineral fertilizers on the biodiversity of a pasture ecosystem and to propose an appropriate way of fertilizing to improve the species diversity of useful components in the grass stand. Biodiversity was determined by the indicator botanical composition of the grass stand, and the species diversity of the components in the grass stand by botanical groups was observed under eight variants of variable mineral fertilizing. It was found that the fertilization increased share of perennial grasses and motley grasses. The species Nardus stricta L., defining the type of pasture, was replaced from the more useful types of grasses, such as: Nardus stricta L., Agrostis capillaris L., Phleum alpinum L., Festuca ovina L., Festuca rubra L., Agrostis alba L., Chrysopogon gryllus L., Dactylis glomerata L., Lolium multiflorum L. The fertilizing effect is most significant in the third year, when both the representatives of grasses and legumes were significantly increased.

Бобовият компонент на горски садинови ливади в условията на „детелинова година“

A study of the species composition, biological, morphological and productive characteristics of the legume component of forest Chrysopogon gryllus meadows a year with high spring moisture availability was conducted. A very high species diversity of leguminous grasses was found - 17 species from 7 genera. Until the mowing of the meadows, a distinct turnover of species and an almost equal total productivity of dry mass from the legume component per ten-day period was observed. Thus, the productivity of fresh and dry mass of the legume component and, accordingly, the nitrogen fixation levels in the orchard meadows have a stable high level until mowing. The annual clovers can be identified as the legume with the strongest response to increasing moisture availability. A high productivity of mesophytic perennial clover species has also been reported, which significantly increase the fodder value of the grasslands. The species Dorycnium herbaceum and Medicago falcata have the highest productivity of fresh and dry mass when mowing the Chrysopogon gryllus meadows and have the greatest contribution to the forage value of the harvested hay. According to the morphological analysis, the legume component is characterized by a very high variability, both in plant height and in the relative share of leaves and flowers in the formed biomass, which determines its importance for the functional and biological diversity in the studied meadow type. The results are indicative of a great self-recovery potential of the Chrysopogon gryllus meadows in the the foothills of the Central Balkan, as well as a lack of degradation processes under their current mode of use.

Acidophilous grasslands in the Locarnese region (Southern Switzerland): description and classification of main plant communities

This paper presents a phytosociological study of dry and mesophilous meadows and pastures in the Locarnese region (Insubria - Southern Switzerland). Seventy-one vegetation relevés were analysed using both hierarchical classification and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination. Seven main clusters were identified and described as follows: (i) xerophytic grasslands on sandy soil dominated by Koeleria macrantha; (ii) mesophilous meadows with Arrhenatherum elatius and Centaurea transalpina; (iii) semi-dry meadows with Chrysopogon gryllus; (iv) semi-dry grasslands with Carex fritschii and Thalictrum minus; (v) nutrient-poor Phyteuma betonicifolium-Festuca nigrescens montane zone grasslands; Nardus stricta grasslands dominated by (vi) Festuca paniculata or (vii) Carex pilulifera. From a phytosociological point of view, a new association named Phyteumo betonicifolii-Festucetum nigrescentis, classified into the Nardo strictae-Agrostion tenuis alliance was proposed. In addition, we confirmed the presence of the Holco-Chrysopogonetum grylli association, within the Bromion erecti, which up to now was provisional only.

Effect of a compost fertilizer on the productivity and botanical composition of a natural grass stand under mountain conditions

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of compost of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum L.) and fresh cattle manure on the yield and the change in the botanical composition of a natural grass stand under mountain conditions. The annual application of compost in a natural meadow of a transitional type with Chrysopogon gryllus–Agrostis capillaris, increased significantly (P <0.001) the amount of dry matter in the treated variants from 57.77% (at a fertilizer rate of 3000 kg/dka) to 73.79% (at a fertilizer rate of 2000 kg/dka) compared to the untreated control. Grass stands fertilizerd at a rate of 2000 kg/dka increased to the highest degree the presence of legume components (from 44.7% to 71.2%) in the biomass, which is a prerequisite for the production of fodder with a high crude protein content. The compost application had a positive impact on the grass mass composition and contributed to positive changes in the group of desirable legume and grass meadow species. An increased share of useful legume (Trifolium pratense, T. hybridium, T. agrarium and Lotus corniculatus) and grass meadow species (Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra, Cynosurus cristatus and Poa pratensis) and stimulation of their productive potential was found. In the fertilized variants, the percentage share of weeds participate followed a downward trend compared to the control. Fertilizing with compost of bracken and manure is a highly effective measure and can be recommended to increase hay yields in natural grass stand (а transitional type with Chrysopogon gryllus-Agrostis capillaris) in the conditions of the Central Balkan Mountain. URL: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts/

Molecular characterization of endangered endemic plant Aloe pseudorubroviolacea using chloroplast matK and plastid rbcL gene

An endangered and rare species Aloe pseudorubroviolacea from the plant family Asphodelaceae which is presently recorded as endangered in Saudi Arabia collected from Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia its GPS Latitude and Longitude coordinates 19.8345, 41.5481. The chloroplast matK and rbcL gene was considered in this study based on molecular identification the size is about 571 and 664 bp respectively. From the sequence analysis the gene matK and rbcL confirm that this species is very much closely related with A. rubroviolacea and also inter related with the species Astroloba rubriflora, Chrysopogon gryllus, Chortolirion angolense shows about 98.7% sequence homology. The partial matK and rbcL gene sequence discriminate Aloe pseudorubroviolacea from the closely related plant species, A. rubroviolacea. The gene sequence of rbcL discriminates the species from Chrysopogon gryllus and Chortolirion angolense, demonstrates the nucleotide variations in 3 different sites (623C/T; 653C/T; 700C/A). This study showed that matK and rbcL sequence region of chloroplast gene used to authenticate the samples of A. pseudorubroviolacea and which provide to help in correct identification and conservation process of this medicinally valuable endangered plant species.

THE EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION AND GRAZING APPLICATIONS ON ROOT LENGTH AND ROOT BIOMASS OF SOME RANGELAND GRASSES

ABSTRACT It is important to know the effects of applications such as fertilization and grazing on the vegetation improvement of certain species. This study was conducted to examine the effect of grassland improvement by fertilization and grazing on root length and biomass of various grassland grasses ( Festuca ovina L., Koeleria cristata (L.) Bertol, Chrysopogon gryllus (L.) Trin ., Bothriochloa ischaemum L. Keng) of the Tokat province of Turkey in the years 2008 and 2009. Great variations were observed among grass species in all applications. All different fertilization and ungrazed applications increased root length and root biomass parameters. Root lengths and root biomass of the species varied from 8.16 to14.27 cm and from 0.73 to 4.73 g, respectively. The longest root lengths and root biomass results were obtained from ungrazed land+ 75 kg ha -1 N+P 2 O 5 fertilization application. Key Words: Belowground biomass, Fertilization, Rangeland, Grazing,

DEFICIT WATERING REDUCES PLANT GROWTH TO A SMALLER EXTENT WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATION THAN WITHOUT IT FOR NON-INVASIVE GRASS SPECIES BUT NOT FOR INVASIVE GRASS SPECIES

Symbiotic associations with the soil microbiota, particularly with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), might ameliorate the effects of environmental stress on plants, and this capacity may be different for resident and alien species. In a growth room pot experiment we tested if imposed water deficit leads to greater growth reduction in the absence of AMF than in the presence of AMF for two non-invasive resident (Danthonia alpina, Chrysopogon gryllus) and two invasive (Calamagrostis epigejos, Cynodon dactylon) grass species from semiarid temperate grasslands in Hungary. Both deficit watering and soil sterilization decreased biomass accumulation, but the non-invasive Danthonia and Chrysopogon performed better when grown in intact soil containing AMF than in sterilized soil. In contrast, the invasive Calamagrostis and Cynodon displayed mostly no difference in growth and biomass accumulation between intact and sterilized soil when subjected to water deficit. When plants were grown well-watered but deprived of AMF symbionts, both Danthonia and Chrysopogon achieved poorer growth than in AMF containing soil, while neither Calamagrostis nor Cynodon displayed any reduction. These results indicate that the influence of deficit watering was ameliorated by the presence of AMF in the soil for the resident non-invasive species, while not for the invasive species.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation of roots of grass species differing in invasiveness

Recent research indicates that the soil microbial community, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), can influence plant invasion in several ways. We tested if 1) invasive species are colonised by AMF to a lower degree than resident native species, and 2) AMF colonisation of native plants is lower in a community inhabited by an invasive species than in an uninvaded resident community. The two tests were run in semiarid temperate grasslands on grass (Poaceae) species, and the frequency and intensity of mycorrhizal colonisation, and the proportion of arbuscules and vesicles in plant roots have been measured. In the first test, grasses representing three classes of invasiveness were included: invasive species, resident species becoming abundant upon disturbance, and non-invasive native species. Each class contained one C3 and one C4 species. The AMF colonisation of the invasive Calamagrostis epigejos and Cynodon dactylon was consistently lower than that of the non-invasive native Chrysopogon gryllus and Bromus inermis, and contained fewer arbuscules than the post-disturbance dominant resident grasses Bothriochloa ischaemum and Brachypodium pinnatum. The C3 and C4 grasses behaved alike despite their displaced phenologies in these habitats. The second test compared AMF colonisation for sand grassland dominant grasses Festuca vaginata and Stipa borysthenica in stands invaded by either C. epigejos or C. dactylon, and in the uninvaded natural community. Resident grasses showed lower degree of AMF colonisation in the invaded stand compared to the uninvaded natural community with F. vaginata responding so to both invaders, while S. borysthenica responding to C. dactylon only. These results indicate that invasive grasses supposedly less reliant on AMF symbionts have the capacity of altering the soil mycorrhizal community in such a way that resident native species can establish a considerably reduced extent of the beneficial AMF associations, hence their growth, reproduction and ultimately abundance may decline. Accumulating evidence suggests that such indirect influences of invasive alien plants on resident native species mediated by AMF or other members of the soil biota is probably more the rule than the exception.

The determination of indicator plant species for steppe rangelands of Nevşehir Province in Turkey

Monitoring and interpretation of the changes to the vegetation of rangelands are key functions for ecological models and sustainable management. Field work was well organized to generally represent the rangelands in the province of Nevsehir, in Central Anatolia, Turkey, in the year 2008. A modified wheel-point method with a loop was used to detect the basal cover of species of vegetation. There were 185 species in 31 sample sites throughout Nevsehir Province. Ordination analysis was performed with the Integrated System for Plant Dynamics software package, which includes detrended correspondence analysis and sample-centered principal components analysis. A gradient analysis showed that 30 sample sites represented a relatively homogeneous area, and there were 50 plant species found as promising indicators. Only 8 plant indicator species (Poa pratensis, P. alpina, Chrysopogon gryllus, Festuca valesiaca, Bromus cappadocicus, Stipa holosericea, Cynodon dactylon, and Trachynia distachya) and bare ground demonstrated clear responses along the pastoral impact gradient. For this reason, changes in the abundance of these indicators occurred on 3 management units of this ordination gradient. It is recommended that these species be used to monitor and assess trends in vegetation change and range conditions in Central Anatolia.

Diet overlap between small ruminants and the European hare in a Mediterranean shrubland

Abstract Seasonal diets of goats, sheep and European hares (Lepus europaeus) were examined using microhistological analysis of feces collected when these herbivores grazed together in a typical Mediterranean shrubland. Approximately half of the total diet content of goats was shrubs (mainly kermes oak, Quercus coccifera), while that of hares was grasses (mostly brush grass, Chrysopogon gryllus). Sheep had a more balanced diet consisting mainly of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Dietary overlap between goats and sheep was high throughout the year. In contrast, there was very low dietary overlap between small ruminants and hares. Dietary diversity was high in spring and low in winter across all species, with sheep in general displaying higher dietary diversity across all seasons than goats and hares. Goats had intermediate and hares had low dietary diversity across all seasons. Communal grazing by small ruminants and hares ensures that there is a more uniform use of the available forage resources than if a single herbivore is left to graze an area.

Syntaxonomy and synecology of Erica cinerea L. communities in the Alps (north-western Italy)

The paper aims to assess the syntaxonomy of Erica cinerea disjointed communities in the southern Alps (Italy). A new subassociation ericetosum cinereae subass. nova is described within the Chamaecytiso hirsuti—Callunetum vulgaris. Two main geographical races are identified: geogr. race typicum in the Cozie Alps, and geogr. race with Fraxinus ornus in the Pennine Alps. Within the geographical races with Fraxinus ornus, two edaphic variants are described: var. edaph. with Chrysopogon gryllus, located on rocky soils and characterized by ingressive species of Festuco-Brometea, and var. edaph. with Betula pendula, located in relatively deeper soils and characterized by high total canopy cover. Shrub invasion is very rapid in particular in the geogr. race typicum and in the geogr. race with Fraxinus ornus var. edaph. with Betula pendula.

Leaf gas exchange responses to abrupt changes in light intensity for two invasive and two non-invasive C 4 grass species

Transient and steady state responses of leaf gas exchange (photosynthesis ( A) and stomatal conductance to water vapor ( g s)) to marked changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were studied for two invasive [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] and two non-invasive, native [ Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng and Chrysopogon gryllus (Torn.) Trin.] perennial C 4 grass species from semiarid temperate grasslands or croplands. Following an abrupt drop in PPFD from 1300 to 270 μmol photon m −2 s −1, the two invasive species reduced g s to a greater extent than A, resulting in higher intrinsic photosynthetic water use efficiency (PWUE = A/ g s) at low, compared to high-light conditions. For non-invasives, a comparable drop in g s and A led to invariant PWUE, which was lower than that for the invasive group under low light. The duration and speed of stomatal closure was similar for the four species. However, unlike the other grasses, the noxious weed S. halepense exhibited a negligible net loss in PWUE during the high-to-low light transition. Responses of the native B. ischaemum were mostly intermediate between those of the two invasive species and the non-invasive C. gryllus, which is in agreement with the species’ ecological intermediacy: non-invasive but often reaches local dominance following a disturbance. With a sudden reverse change in PPFD photosynthetic light induction was not faster for invasives than for non-invasives. These results indicate more efficient water use under variable light for invasive compared to non-invasive perennial C 4 grasses which may contribute to their success in semiarid temperate habitats with a heterogeneous light regime. Yet, rapid photosynthetic light induction appears to be of less importance in such environments.

Leaf morphology and anatomy in two contrasting environments for C3and C4grasses of different invasion potential

Leaf morphology, coarse structure and anatomy were compared for two invasive C4, two non-invasive C4, and two expanding native C3 grass species grown in their original, high-light semiarid temperate habitat, and in a growth room under variable moderate light and favourable supply of water and nutrients. It was hypothesised that (H1) among C4 grasses leaf structural response will be greater for invasive than for non-invasive species, and (H2) for plants of high spreading capacity C4 species will be less responsive than C3 species. Leaf mass per area was lower in the growth room than in the field by 43.4–54% and 5.7–21.2% for grasses of high spreading capacity and for non-invasive C4 species, respectively. Little or no response was observed in the proportion of epidermis and mesophyll, but the proportional area of veins plus sclerenchyma was greater in the field than in the growth room for the invasive C4 Sorghum halepense, and the spreading C3 Bromus inermis and Calamagrostis epigeios, while it did not differ for the two non-invasive C4 grasses and the invasive C4 Cynodon dactylon. Leaf intervenial distance was invariant for C4 grasses (except for the non-invasive Chrysopogon gryllus) and the C3 C. epigeios, but changed by 25.1% for the C3 B. inermis. These results suggest that among C4 grasses invasive species exceed non-invasive ones in the plasticity of leaf coarse structure, but not that of leaf morphology and anatomy. However, leaf structure was not less plastic in invasive C4 than in expanding C3 grasses except for intervenial distance.

Total phenolics and phenolic acids content in low (Chrysopogon gryllus) and mediocre quality (Festuca vallesiaca) forage grasses of Deliblato Sands meadow-pasture communities in Serbia

 Chrysopogon gryllus and Festuca vallesiaca are components of a number of meadow-pasture communities in Serbia. We performed the analyses of phenolics that influence quality and digestibility of grasses to a great extent. Total phenolics were measured spectrophotometrically and phenolic acids by HPLC analysis. The aboveground parts of C. gryllus contained 10.6 mg/g whereas F. vallesiaca of 21.6 mg/g total phenolics. Bound phenolics dominated over free ones in both species. The content of both free and bound p-coumaric, ferulic, p-hydroxybenzoic and syringic acid was higher in C. gryllus (6.34 mg/g) than in F. vallesiaca (3.96 mg/g). Derivatives of cinnamic acid prevailed in both species compared to the benzoic acid derivatives. Low quality of C. gryllus is connected with its high tissue phenolic acids and mediocre quality of F. vallesiaca with the high content of total phenolics that act unfavourably on digestibility of such grasses.  

Decomposition of dominant plant species litter in a semi-arid grassland

Dominant plant species in semi-arid environments differ in their effects on litter decomposition. The present study was conducted to investigate the contribution of dominant plant species found in a natural semi-arid grassland to nutrient cycling through their litter decomposition. Aboveground litter (stems and leaves) of Dichanthium ischaemum, Chrysopogon gryllus, Festuca ovina and Trifolium purpureum was placed on the soil for 24 months and chemical characteristics were monitored. The rate of mass loss from stems was significantly lower than that of leaves for all species. The influence of mesh size on the studied parameters for both leaves and stems was similar in most cases for the grass species, Chrysopogon and Festuca (e.g. litter, lignin, TNSC, Energy and Total C, N, K, Ca). Generally, mean decomposition rate ( k′= k×10 5) had the highest value for Trifolium ( k′=188), followed by Dichanthium ( k′=133), Chrysopogon ( k′=120) and Festuca ( k′=118). Chrysopogon and Festuca by being the most dominant species in the grassland and having low decomposition rates contribute more organic matter to the soil.

Chemical composition of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) in Hungary

under the influence of the prognosticated climatic changes, the increasing rate of degradation and the extension of uncultivated lands, it is expected that the dominance of some C4 plants will increase. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is the most common C4 species in Hungary. The chemical composition of Cynodon dactylon and its substrate was investigated on 3 soil types (Arenosol, Solonchak soil and a waste place) typical of the country. It was established that in comparison with other perennial C4 grasses (Andropogon ischaemum, Chrysopogon gryllus, Cleistogenes serotina) the total element content of Cynodon dactylon was the highest. A detailed quantitative and qualitative knowledge of the chemical components of C4 plants could help to determine the expected changes in the chemical composition of the uppermost soil layer and in its mineralization dynamics on areas dominated by these plants. As a result of the expansion of Cynodon dactylon the element concentration and the chemical composition of the soils might change, thus influencing successional processes as well.

Differential drought tolerance of five coexisting plant species in Mediterranean lowland grasslands

To investigate how soil water content affects plant productivity; phenology and changes in aboveground biomass of five species were recorded in a Mediterranean lowland grassland during a relatively wet year (1991) and a dry year (1992); soil-water potentials were related to changes in soil water content. Species examined were the early-season C3grasses Poa bulbosa and Anthoxanthum odoratum, the late-season C4grasses Chrysopogon gryllus and Cynodon dactylon, and the mid-season C3forb Rumex acetosella. Species were also grown as monocultures in pots under two watering treatments (irrigation, no irrigation). The soil-water potential at the times of maximum aboveground biomass for Poa and Anthoxanthum were similar in the un-irrigated pots and in the dry year (1992) in the field. Aboveground biomass of all species in the field, except Cynodon, was lower in 1992 than in 1991. The early-season species Poa and Anthoxanthum showed the greater decrease in biomass in response to drought, and tended to exhibit an earlier maximum aboveground biomass. Similarly, these species exhibited an earlier maximum shoot biomass in the un-irrigated pots than in the irrigated pots. The mid- and late-season species tolerated lower soil matric potential. In comparison with the early-season species, they had higher leaf water potentials and greater values of relative water content when leaf water potential was lower than −1·5 MPa. These results indicate that the early-season species are more drought-sensitive than late-season species and that their productivity and phenology is influenced greatly by variation in soil water content between years.

Decomposition and nutrient release from C3 and C4 plant litters in a natural grassland

The rate of litter loss, and the release of N, P, K, Ca during litter decomposition of two C 4 plants ( Dichanthium ischaemum L. and Chrysopogon gryllus L.) and one C 3 plant ( Festuca ovina H.) were studied for 24 months. This was achieved by placing leaf and culm litter in nylon screen bags close to the soil surface, sampling every three months to mease the changes in litter weight and chemical composition during the experimental period. Litter decomposition was faster during the first 12 months for both leaves and culms of all species. The order was D. ischaemum > F. ovina > C. gryllus . The mean rate litter loss for the 12 and 24 month period was similar for leaf and culm litter. Nitrogen accumulation was observed during the entire experimental period for all species. Phosphorus release had occurred during the experimental period in the decreasing order: C. gryllus > D. ischaemum > F. ovina . Potassium release was observed after 12 and 24 months in the decreasing order D. ischaemum > C. gryllus > F. ovina , while calcium was accumulating. The decomposition rates were similar for C 4 and C 3 plants and their contribution to nutrient cycling depended on the release of the various elements during decomposition.

Nutrient cycling in an excessively rainfed subtropical grassland at Cherrapunji

Cycling of six mineral elements (N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg) was studied in a humid subtropical grassland at Cherrapunji, north-eastern India during 1988–1989. Elemental concentrations in the shoot of four dominant grass species,viz., Arundinella khaseana, Chrysopogon gryllus, Eragrostiella leioptera andEulalia trispicata were very low, and none of the species appears suitable for fodder use. Among different vegetation compartments, live root was the largest reservoir of all the nutrients (except Ca) followed by live shoot, dead shoot, litter and dead root. For Ca, live shoot was the major storage compartment. The total annual uptake (kg ha-1) was 137.3, 10.4, 51.1, 5.5, 8.7 and 18.2 for N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg, respectively. In an annual cycle 98% N, 77% P, 49% K, 109% Na, 87% Ca and 65% Mg returned to the soil through litter and belowground detritus. A major portion of N, P and Na was recycled through the belowground system, whereas nearly half of K, Ca and Mg was recycled through the shoot system. Precipitation acts as the source of N and P input, but at the same time causes loss of cations.

Ökologische Untersuchungen auf einer auf metallhaltigem Boden entwickelten Wiese

AbstractEcological Investigation of a Meadow Developed on a Metal‐Rich SoilThe floristic structure of a meadow over a copper‐rich soil was studied, and four different stages of vegetation succession were described. The following species dominate over the different stages: Minuartia verna, Thymus sibthorpii, Rumex acetosella and Chrysopogon gryllus. Soil analysis showed that the most undeveloped soil of the Minuartia stage exhibits the highest concentration of Cu and of twelve other elements, while the mature soil of the Chrysopogon stage exhibits the highest concentrations of Al, Ca, Na and Ni.An inverse relationship was found between the concentrations of Cu in the soil and the number of species in the forty sampling quadrats. Plant analysis showed that Minuartia verna and Rumex acetosella accumulate more copper in their tissues than the other two dominant species.