Deschampsia Cespitosa Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF HUMIC PREPARATIONS ON DEGRADED SOILS PROPERTIES OF TECHNOGENIC BARRENS

This research aim was testing the applicability of exogenic organic matter – extracted humic substances – for the remediation of technogenic barrens soils near Cu-Ni smelter (Kola Peninsula). In short-term laboratory experiments we studied the possibility of stabilization of heavy metals labile forms by commercial humic substances (HS) of different origin (peat humate “Flexom” and coal humate “Extra”) in comparison with HS, inoculated by microorganisms – nitrogen fixers and mycorrhizae-forming fungi and mineral fertilizers (NPK и CaCO3). Experiments were provided during 45 days after 14 days of pre-incubation under controlled conditions in climate chamber with light, temperature and humidity imitating the polar day conditions in Kola Subarctic. After experiments we evaluated changes in soil chemical properties, soil microbial community and test-culture (Deschampsia cespitosa). Peat humate application is ineffective without additional manipulations (e.g. combination with CaCO3), cooperation with biological applicants cannot be pointed out. Application of coal humate favours to metals stabilization, soil microorganism’s activation, test-culture growth. It may be effective to combine coal humate with biological applicants like mycorrhizae-forming fungi. So, coal-humates may be perspective growth-stimulator, ameliorant and detoxicant in remediation of degraded soils in conditions of polymetallic contamination.

The effects of mountain grazing abandonment on plant community, forage value and soil properties: observations and field measurements in an alpine area

Progressive abandonment of pastoral activities, a common phenomenon in most mountainous economically developed areas worldwide, has been causing continuous land-use changes and inducing rapid ecological succession. Pastures are being abandoned, degraded, reforested, or disturbed by natural events. This study aims to investigate the effects of such change from different perspectives: from plant community and forage value changes, to differences in soil properties and soil stability indicators. Phytosociological relevés, forage quality analyses and field measurements of soil properties were carried out in 7 different study sites characterized by different grazing intensity (abandoned/under-grazed, moderately grazed, heavy grazed) and environmental conditions (disturbed by hillslope processes or reforested). Results showed significant discrepancies in terms of soil stabilization and ecological aspects. In particular, an increase in soil stabilization occurred where larches (Larix decidua) recolonized the completely abandoned pastures, whereas a decrease was observed in under-grazed pastures. In both cases, forage composition showed impoverished nutritional value for grazing animals. Conversely, an excellent balance between ecological advantages and contribution to soil engineering properties by roots was provided by the moderately grazed areas, mainly covered by Deschampsia cespitosa. This highlights how pasturing facilitates environmental conservation and combats natural processes such as soil erosion and shallow instabilities.

Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. parviflora (Poaceae) - an overlooked woodland grass

Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv. subsp. parviflora (Thuill.) Dumort was, to British and Irish botanists, a little known taxon prior to1988, and current distribution mapping shows a marked geographical recording bias. It is confirmed as being primarily a woodland taxon, at low altitudes; modal mean altitude 50-75 m AOD, with 97% of locations at ≤300 m AOD. A combination of woodland or shaded habitat, bright green narrow leaves, and delicate panicle, with small spikelets, is suggestive of subsp. parviflora. In combination, degree of leaf blade scabridity on the adaxial surface, appearance of papillae on flat surfaces of adaxial ridges of the leaf, and spikelet length, provide the most reliable means of distinguishing this subspecies from subsp. cespitosa. There is no reason to suspect that subsp. parviflora is increasing, rather it had previously been overlooked.

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Mould Contamination of Selected Plants from Meadows Covered by the Agri-Environmental Program.

The aim of the study was the evaluation of selected species of meadow plants obtained from the first cut from the area covered by the agri-environmental program ‘Natura 2000’ in terms of the presence of cytotoxic compounds detected by the MTT test and the level of fungal contamination. The research was carried out on plant species that were evaluated differently in previously used methods for quality assessment of pasture feeds according to Klapp and Filipek. Twenty-six plant species were harvested in 2014 from meadows located in the valley of the Bydgoszcz Canal. Mycological examination of meadow plant samples was carried out according to PN-ISO 7954:1999. Cytotoxicity evaluation was performed using the MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] test. Selected samples were also subjected to evaluation of the endophytes occurrence in grasses using PCR. Natural meadow positions included in the study were dominated by moulds belonging to Humicola spp., Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., Torula spp., Fusarium spp. and Mucor spp. The highest level of fungal contamination was observed for Carex acutiformis Ehrh. The most infested grasses were Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P.Beauv., Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Lolium perenne L. The MTT test showed that the most cytotoxic species were Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P.Beauv. (IC50 1.563 mg/mL) and Ranunculus repens L. (IC50 3.125 mg/mL). Epichloë endophytes were detected in one of 13 examined grass samples. Our own research suggests that previously used feed quality assessments should be verified by introducing modern methods of molecular biology and instrumental analysis. Results of this study may broaden the knowledge of the causes of problems resulting from feeding of roughage, mainly from natural meadows, and help in creating new rankings of the feed value of meadow sward components.

Changes in the vascular flora of a postflotation zinc–lead ore spoil heap of the “Orzeł Biały” mining and smelting works in Bytom (Silesian Upland) after 15 years

A study on vascular flora of a Zn–Pb ore spoil heap of the “Orzeł Biały” mining and smelting works in Bytom, Poland, was carried out in the 2017–2018 growing seasons. The aim of this study was to: (i) present the characteristics of current vascular flora that colonizes the Zn–Pb heap, (ii) describe its dynamic tendencies and directions of changes after 15 years, and (iii) identify species that can be useful for planting as a part of biological reclamation. Ninety-two mostly native species of vascular plants, belonging to 36 families and 77 genera, were found on the examined heap. In the spectrum of life forms, hemicryptophytes prevailed over therophytes and geophytes. The most numerous ecological groups were ruderal and meadow species. As regards life strategies, highly competitive species and taxa with mixed CSR strategies dominated. The basic mode of seed dispersal was anemochory. In terms of habitat preferences, species associated with moderately light, warm, fresh, neutral, and medium fertility soil dominated in the species composition of the studied flora. In 2017–2018 compared to the 2002 growing season, statistically significant differences were found in the origin, life forms, ecological groups, life strategies, mode of seed dispersal of species and their habitat preferences relative to light, temperature, pH, and productivity. Frequently recorded pseudometallophytes (<em>Agrostis capillaris</em>, <em>Cardaminopsis arenosa</em>, <em>Daucus carota</em>, <em>Deschampsia caespitosa</em>, <em>Leontodon hispidus</em>, <em>Plantago lanceolata</em>, <em>Silene vulgaris</em>, <em>Rumex acetosa</em>) can be used for planting as part of biological reclamation of the area.

The Plastid Genome of Deschampsia cespitosa (Poaceae).

Plastid genome analysis of non-model organisms provides valuable information for basic research e.g., molecular evolutionary genomics, phylogeny and phylogeography. Deschampsia cespitosa is the most widespread species of the genus and it is a common grass that is found across Eurasia and North America. Scattered populations in regions of appropriate ecological conditions are also found in Australia, New Zealand and southern South America, where it is sympatric with D. antarctica. We analyzed the plastid genome of a sample of Deschampsia cespitosa of the Austrian Alps using high-throughput sequencing. The plastid (cp) genome shows the typical quadripartite structure with a length of 135,340 bp, comprising a large single-copy (LSC) region of 79,992 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,572 bp and two inverted repeats (IR) regions of 21,388 bp each. It contains 115 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes and 30 transfer RNA genes. The GC content (%), number of repeats and microsatellites, RNA editing sites and codon usage were highly similar to those of D. antarctica. The results of this present study highlight the extremely conserved nature of the cp genome in this group, since the comparison involved individuals separated by about 13,000 km, from the Alps to Antarctica.

Луга класса Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937 в пойме р. Варзуга (Мурманская область)

In the Murmansk Region floodplain meadows of class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937 being there on the northern limit of distribution in Europe, rarely occur along the large rivers. The research with purpose of classification was conducted in lower stream of the Varzuga River, which is one of the largest (254 km long) river on Kola Peninsula. Few large islands are disposed in the lower course of the river. Riverbanks are formed mainly by sandstones and moraine deposits which prevent the formation of a vast floodplain formation; its the largest area is situated downstream the Varzuga village, that is one of the oldest settlements of Kola Peninsula, arisen in 15 century. The agriculture period on floodplains around the village has about 500 years of regular mowing and grazing. The river basin is located in the taiga zone. Adjacent spruce and pine forests belong to associations Empetro–Piceetum obovatae (Sambuk 1932) Morozova 2008 and Cladonio arbusculae–Pinetum sylvestris (Cajander 1921) K.-Lund 1967, bogs — to ass. Empetro–Sphagnetum fusci (Du Rietz (1921) 1926) Dierssen 1982. Ferns and tall herbs dominated birch forests occur on Varzuga River islands. Sandy beach vegetation of Ammophiletea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Westhoff et al. 1946 and halophytic marshes of Junceteamaritimi Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1952 were described in the river mouth (Koroleva, 1999; Koroleva et al., 2011). Floodplain meadows (Fig. 1) were studied on the river banks and on islands from the Varzuga village to river mouth, in July and August in 2013 and 2015. 46 relevés were performed on sample plots mainly 10×10 m on the base of Braun-Blanquet approach. The syntaxa of high level are in accordance with latest survey by L. Mucina et al. (2016). Floodplain meadows belong to the alliance Astragalo subpolaris–Festucion rubrae all. nov. hoc loco (holotypus — Anthoxantho alpini–Geranietum sylvatici ass. nov. hoc loco) (Table 1) with following diagnostic species: Sanguisorba polygama, Dianthus superbus, Astragalus subpolaris, Oxytropis sordida, Myosotis asiatica, Veratrum lobelianum, Hedysarum arcticum, Senecio nemorensis, Allium schoenoprasum, Potentilla crantzii. Plant communities include mesophytic herbs, diagnostic species of classes Molinio-Arrhenatheretea and Mulgedio-Aconitetea Hadač et Klika in Klika et Hadač 1944, with group of species characteristic for tundra meadows (Dianthus superbus, Astragalus subpolaris, Oxytropis sordida, Bistorta vivipara and Potentilla crantzii). More than half of diagnostic species of alliance Astragalo subpolaris–Festucion rubrae have arctic, arctic-alpine and hypoarctic distribution. Two associations belong to this alliance: ass. Diantho superbi–Festucetum ovinae ass. nov. (Table 2; holotypus hoc loco — relevé 2 (186/13), Fig. 2) with diagnostic species Dianthus superbus, Thymus subarcticus, Campanula rotundifolia, Antennaria ­dioica, Calluna vulgaris, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, Viola canina, Potentilla crantzii, P. erecta, Sonchus arvensis, Pilosella laticeps. Low-herb meadows, being used as a pasture, occur mainly on higher and dryer habitats, than the next association. Ass. Antho­xantho alpini–Geranietum sylvatici ass. nov. (Table 3; holotypus hoc loco — relevé 17 (136/13), Fig. 3) includes regularly mowed tall-herb meadows formed after deforestation. Diagnostic taxa are Anthoxanthum alpinum, Geranium sylvaticum, Angelica sylvestris, Phleum pratense, Trollius europaeus, Anthriscus sylvestris, Cirsium heterophyllum, Vicia cracca. Ass. Filipendulo ulmariae–Deschampsietum cespitosae Shushpannikova et Yamalov 2013 of alliance Deschampsion cespitosae Horvatić 1930 (Table 4) was described in wet depressions near the village. Diagnostic taxa are Deschampsia cespitosa and Filipendula ulmaria. Community type Festuca rubra–Ligusticum scothicum of alliance Conioselinion tatarici Golub et al. 2003 (Table 5) occurs on the islands and in floodplain in the Varzuga river mouth. Diagnostic taxa are Ligusticum scothicum, Festuca rubra, Potentilla egedii, Primula finmarchica, Alopecurus arundinaceus, Calamagrostis neglecta, Lathyrus aleuticus, Carex lanceolata, Eleocharis palustris. Floodplain meadows of class Molinio-Arrhena­the­retea are rich of species, with about 140 vascular plants, 20 % of which occur with high constancy (more than 60 % of presence in at least one syntaxa), and 20 % with high cover (more than 5 % at least in one community). The composition of meadows reflects the habitats specific, with short spring flood, regular grazing and mowing, close neighboring of birch and pine forests, tundra zone and White Sea shore. These meadows are worth status of the special protected area «Floodplain meadows in the valley and islands of Varzuga River». If the idea of the National Park «Terskiy Bereg» is revived, the analyzed meadows are to be included in the protected area of natural and cultural heritage, with special regime of mowing and moderate grazing.

Chelator production by Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. in adaptive Ni/Cu hyper-tolerance derived from fields in the Sudbury region and lab assessment

Plants possess a complex network of mechanisms to utilize and, if necessary, detoxify metals. Plants utilize constitutive basal tolerance mechanisms to maintain appropriate internal metal levels under normal conditions. However, adaptive hyper-tolerance mechanisms are used in order to tolerate excess metal exposure. The production of metal binding chelators could be one way to convey these tolerances. Chelator production of field and greenhouse-derived materials was investigated to determine any multi-metal hyper-tolerances in different populations of the grass Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. Plant tissue was collected from metal-contaminated mine sites, and from specimens grown in metal exposure hydroponic experiments. The chelator metabolites from these samples were simultaneously analyzed using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. In the hydroponic grown grass, histidine was produced at high concentrations solely in the hyper-tolerant populations during metal exposure. In all of the populations, the responses of chelators were metal-specific, where levels of nicotianamine were at high concentrations during Ni exposure, and levels of phytochelatins were high during Cu exposure. Moreover, a similar pattern of chelator production was seen in the root specimens collected from mine sites contaminated with Ni and (or) Cu. Histidine was the strongest Ni chelator involved in adaptive hyper-tolerance, while constitutive basal tolerance to Ni and Cu was observed via the responses of nicotianamine and phytochelatin, respectively.

Long‐term effects of nutrient enrichment controlling plant species and functional composition in a boreal rich fen

AbstractQuestionsHow does long‐term increase in nutrient availability affect species composition, species diversity and functional composition in boreal rich fens, and how does this differ from short‐term effects? What are the possible mechanisms behind the observed changes, and how does nutrient limitation influence species diversity in these communities?LocationSølendet Nature Reserve, central Norway.MethodsA full‐factorial field experiment. Plots in two localities received one of following treatments (n = 3): no nutrient addition (control), N, P, K, NP, NK, PK and NPK addition. Cover of plant species was recorded before treatment, and after two and 15 years of treatment.ResultsTwo years of nutrient addition caused small changes in species composition, but addition of NP led to large increase in abundance of species with high ability to exploit the added nutrients—a direct result of the elimination of nutrient limitation in the communities. After 15 years of nutrient addition there were significant changes following three different pathways, one for each of N, P and NP addition. The addition of NP led to large community shifts, considerable species turnover and reduced species and functional richness, mainly caused by increase in cover of highly competitive and tussock‐forming grasses like Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina and Molinia caerulea, out‐competing other species, especially bryophytes. Addition of N led to smaller changes in species turnover, and without clear dominant species. Addition of P led to considerable species turnover, but no reduction in species or functional richness, and the bryophyte diversity increased. This is explained by the bryophytes’ association with N‐fixing cyanobacteria, suggesting less N limitation and a greater ability to utilize the added P when vascular plants suffer from N shortage. In addition, bryophytes are more sensitive to low P availability, due to larger P requirements compared to vascular plants. There was no effect of K addition.ConclusionsBoth N and P limitation is essential for the maintenance of high species diversity in boreal rich fens, and P limitation controls bryophyte diversity. From a management perspective, N and P limitation is vital in the conservation of boreal rich fens or when a functional fen system is reestablished through restoration measures.

The Influence of Plant Dominants on the Associated Species Abundance in Wet Tall-Herb Meadow Plant Communities

Abstract Plant interactions in wet tall-herb meadow plant communities were described through dominant and edificator species identification. Five dominant species were identified: Alopecurus pratensis, Filipendula ulmaria, Deschampsia cespitosa, Anthriscus sylvestris, and Angelica sylvestris. The effects of species were studied using ANOVA and correlation analyses. Not all dominants were recognised as edificators. Edificators (Alopecurus pratensis, Filipendula ulmaria, Deschampsia cespitosa, Angelica sylvestris) had a negative effect on the various abundance indicators of associated species: percent cover, number, phytomass, and height. The edificator effects differed significantly in their level and duration and depended on the biomorphs of dominants. The perennial species Alopecurus pratensis, Filipendula ulmaria, and Deschampsia cespitosa were strong constant edificators. Angelica sylvestris, a short-lived monocarpic from the Apiaceae, is a weak seasonal edificator, while Anthriscus sylvestris is not an edificator. Analysis of the life strategies of species showed that competitors are not always edificators (Anthriscus sylvestris), whereas stress-tolerant may show edificator properties (Deschampsia cespitosa). The associated plant species often show positive interactions. Most of the associated species are stress-tolerant and have not an edificator effect.

Plant Species and Heavy Metals Affect Biodiversity of Microbial Communities Associated With Metal-Tolerant Plants in Metalliferous Soils.

We here assess the biodiversity of the rhizosphere microbial communities of metal-tolerant plant species Arabidopsis arenosa, Arabidopsis halleri, Deschampsia caespitosa, and Silene vulgaris when growing on various heavy metal polluted sites. Our broad-spectrum analyses included counts for total and metal-tolerant culturable bacteria, assessments of microbial community structure by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling and community-level analysis based on BIOLOG-CLPP to indicate functional diversity. The genetic-biochemical diversity was also measured by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and metabolomic analysis (HPLC-MS). Different rhizospheres showed distinctive profiles of microbial traits, which also differed significantly from bulk soil, indicating an influence from sampling site as well as plant species. However, total bacterial counts and PCR-DGGE profiles were most affected by the plants, whereas sampling site-connected variability was predominant for the PLFA profiles and an interaction of both factors for BIOLOG-CLPP. Correlations were also observed between pH, total and bioavailable Cd or Zn and measured microbial traits. Thus, both plant species and heavy-metals were shown to be major determinants of microbial community structure and function.

Winter plant phenology in the alpine meadow on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

There is no knowledge of winter plant phenology and its controlling factors on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Thus, we conducted a 4 year winter phenology and growth dynamics study in the alpine meadow on the eastern QTP. From November 2013 to March 2017, the phenology of the 'winter-growth' and 'winter-green' species was recorded every 5 d. In November-February from 2014 to 2015, the above-ground biomass (AGB) in random plots was calculated to distinguish different growth patterns among winter growing species. The percentage of winter abundance relative to the summer population for forbs and the percentage of absolute coverage for grasses (W/S) were calculated to describe the importance of the winter population to the summer population. The soil moisture (SM) and soil temperature (ST) were used to explore the controlling factors on the AGB. Pearson's correlation analysis between winter phenology data and environmental variables, including air temperature (Tair), snow cover fraction (SCF), SM and ST, was used to investigate the factors affecting winter phenology during November-February from 2014 to 2017. There were 107 species in total in the sites, including ten 'winter-growth' species and four 'winter-green' species. Among the 'winter-green' species, Festuca ovina and Deschampsia cespitosa were the dominant species in the sites. The 'winter-growth' species grew new leaves or ramets or transitioned to reproductive growth. Gentiana spathulifolia even flowered in winter. 'Winter-growth' made important contributions to the annual AGB, e.g. winter growth of G. spathulifolia accounted for 23.26 % of its annual AGB, while 14.74 % of the annual AGB of G. crassuloides was from winter growth. In addition, winter warming and snowfall reduction under global climate change on the eastern QTP may decrease the AGB increment of the 'winter-growth' and delay the green-up onset date of 'winter-green' species. Also, winter warming and snowfall reduction may advance the first flowering date of 'winter-growth' species. In contrast to previous views that plants on the QTP were generally considered to remain dormant in winter, our study revealed that alpine meadow plants had strong winter growth which suggested the importance of re-evaluating the dynamics of ecosystem function of alpine meadow, including its contribution to the global carbon balance. It was also shown that soil moisture availability is more important than warmer temperature in controlling the green-up onset of 'winter-green' species on the eastern QTP, which contrasts with the traditional view that warmer winters could advance green-up. As snowmelt is the only source of soil water in winter, the prediction of the green-up trend may be further complicated by snowfall variation in winter.

Improved Deschampsia cespitosa growth by nitrogen fertilization jeopardizes Quercus petraea regeneration through intensification of competition

Plant–plant interactions show differential responses to different combinations of available resources that has been under-explored.The short-term functional response of Quercus petraea seedlings and Deschampsia cespitosa tufts grown alone or in mixture was monitored in contrasting combinations of soil inorganic nitrogen×light availabilities in a greenhouse experiment. Growth, biomass allocation, functional traits and resource acquisition were quantified. Intensity and importance of interactions were calculated by organ biomass-based indices.Competition exerted by D. cespitosa on oak was primarily driven by light availability and secondly, for each light level, by nitrogen supply, leading to a strong hierarchy of resource combinations for each considered plant organ. Under high light, oak preferentially allocated biomass to the roots, underlining the indirect role of light on the belowground compartment. Unexpectedly, Deschampsia cespitosa grew better in the presence of oak seedlings under high nitrogen supply whatever the light availability.Oak short-term nitrogen storage instead of investment in growth might be a long-term strategy to survive D. cespitosa competition. Why Deschampsia had a higher biomass in the presence of oak under nitrogen fertilization is an intriguing question. The role of root exudates or change in balance between intra- vs interspecific interactions may hold the answer. There may be an active mechanism of competition rather than only competitive resource exploitation.Forest managers sometimes practice adding nitrogen fertilizer to improve oak seedling growth in plantations or natural regeneration. Here, the higher biomass in mixture to the benefit of the competitor clearly questions this practice: oak may provide extra nitrogen to competitors during the early period of plant–plant interaction or it may influence the balance between intra- vs interspecific interactions. The identification and quantification of active competition may result in new practices for a broad diversity of plant–plant interactions such as tree regeneration, intercrop management and weed control in agriculture.

Carry-over benefit of high internal N pool on growth and function of oak seedlings (Quercus petraea) competing with Deschampsia cespitosa

In contrast to N soil availability or carbon (C) reserves, the role of N reserves in plant interactions has been under-researched. The N-loading of tree seedlings in nurseries before plantation within a forest community to increase their survival and early growth is still controversial. We hypothesized that a larger N-loaded pool in oak seedlings during year n − 1 might favor growth and function during year n through higher N remobilization, and thus lessen the impact of competition from Deschampsia cespitosa (tussock grass).In 2015, we cultivated two sets of one-year oak seedlings in 20 L pots with two nitrogen supply levels: no supply (N-unloaded) and 87 kg ha−1 (N-loaded), without competition and without water limitation. A greenhouse experiment was then undertaken in 2016 with the same two oak batches, but with 0, 1, 2 or 3 tillers of D. cespitosa in both N-loaded and N-unloaded batches. Half the pots were subjected to drought for one month (August 2016).Soil water availability was the prime factor driving plant growth and photosynthetic responses in oak, both with and without competition. Under well-watered conditions, a greater internal N pool was correlated with higher oak photosynthesis. A high internal N pool was also beneficial to oak seedlings under low competitive pressure from D. cespitosa. However, when grass density increased, intraspecific competition outweighed interspecific competition, and attenuated the negative effect of D. cespitosa on oak seedlings.A carry-over effect of N-loading thus had a positive effect on growth and function in oak seedlings when no water stress occurred under low competition by D. cespitosa: this effect may derive from more N storage in perennial tissues, resulting in more N mobilized during vegetative growth. Our results underline the importance of the internal N pool in plant competition, and are evidence that a higher potential regenerative success rate of oak seedlings is related to abiotic conditions, competitive pressure and internal N pool.

ЕЛЕМЕНТИ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ СТВОРЕННЯ ПАСОВИЩ ДЛЯ ОЛЕНЯ ЛІСОВОГО В УМОВАХ ВОЛЬЄРНОГО РОЗВЕДЕННЯ

Проаналізовано рослинний та ґрунтовий покрив земель, виведених із сільськогосподарського користування під влаштування фермерського мисливського господарства. Видовий склад на території вольєра нараховує 60 видів рослин, більшість з яких представлена різнотрав'ям, а основні злаки характеризуються низькою кормовою цінністю. Бобові представлені тільки розкиданими екземплярами горошку мишачого (Vicia cracca L.) та конюшини повзучої (Trifolium repens L.). Така невелика кількість цінних злакових і бобових трав зумовлює необхідність докорінного покращення наявних пасовищ. Виявлено низьку забезпеченість ґрунтів досліджуваної території поживними елементами, низький ступінь гумусованості, кислу реакцію середовища. Характеристики ґрунту зумовлюють використання як бобового компонента травосуміші лядвенцю рогатого (Lotus corniculatus L.) та конюшини гібридної (Trifolium hybridum L.). Запропоновано в умовах Полісся Західного на середньозволожених луках із мінеральними ґрунтами на територіях, виведених із сільськогосподарського використання, залужувати пасовища для оленя лісового (Cervus elaphus L.) сумішами із тимофіївки лучної (Phleum pratense L.), грястиці збірної (Dactylis glomerata L.), пажитниці багаторічної (Lolium perenne L.), лядвенцю рогатого та конюшини гібридної.

Resistance of Prairie Junegrass and Tufted Hairgrass Germplasm to Diseases Common in Temperate Low-Input Turfgrass Systems

Prairie junegrass and tufted hairgrass are two turfgrass species that are native to the United States and require less water, fertilizer, and pesticide compared with more commonly used turfgrass species such as Kentucky bluegrass. However, little is known about the resistance of these low-input turfgrasses to common turfgrass diseases. The primary objective of this research was to identify disease-resistant germplasm of both prairie junegrass and tufted hairgrass that can be used in future low-input turfgrass breeding efforts. A total of 41 populations of tufted hairgrass and 23 populations of prairie junegrass were evaluated for resistance to Microdochium patch, dollar spot, and rust development in a controlled environment. Genetic variation in disease resistance was clearly present in the unimproved germplasm of both prairie junegrass and tufted hairgrass, providing important direction for future breeding efforts that will allow wider implementation of low-input turfgrass species.

Feeding management of dairy cattle affect grassland dynamics in an alpine pasture

ABSTRACTThe effect of different supplementary feeding rates for grazing cattle on high-altitude pastures dynamics was evaluated. A field experiment was carried out during three years in a subalpine pasture area of the Eastern Alps. The investigated pasture area was 40 ha, located between 1820 and 2230 m a.s.l. Two paddocks were chosen in the experiment and two herds of 12 cattle each were kept in the two enclosures for 5 weeks. For the first herd (HS), the supplementary feeding rate was 4.8 kg OM head−1 per day, while for the second herd (LS), the rate was 1.6 kg OM head−1 per day. The amount of herbage consumed by each cattle was determined using the n-alkane technique. To monitor the pasture vegetation dynamics, eight metal exclusion cages were placed in each paddock to determine herbage growth, utilization rates, vegetation composition and animal grazing selectivity. Grazing behaviour of dairy cattle, in terms of herbage intake and species selection was affected by the different feeding rates. Cattle grazing Paddock HS consumed 1.9 kg OM day−1 of herbage less than Paddock LS. In the LS paddock, cattle grazed higher phytomass rates. When the animals were fed by higher concentrate rates, a more selective grazing seemed to significantly increase the pasture necromass component. The lower grazing selectivity favoured the development of species as Nardus stricta and Deschampsia caespitosa, which are well known for their low palatability. Distinct vegetation dynamic patterns were observed, with a reduction of hair grass and an increase of legumes in the Paddock LS.

Changes of species composition of the Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra plant communities in drainage peatland

AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine the vegetation cover and describe the floristic diversity of selected plant communities of extensive and abandoned grasslands within the Forest of Parczew PLB060006 – a Natura 2000 protected area. Floristic surveys were conducted in the meadows in years 2001 and 2013 under the conditions of natural succession of the communities Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra. The area is situated in the northern part of the Lublin Voivodeship, in the physiographic mesoregion the Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland. Those communities were characterized by average species richness and floristic diversity index values. The cover index decreased considerably in the case of 8 species, and increased for 12 species. A large increase in the cover index of Holcus lanatus, Deschampsia caespitosa, Galium mollugo, Anthriscus sylvestris and Polemonium caeruleae is particularly noteworthy. In 2001, 39 species of plants were recorded in all relevés, compared to 41 species recorded in 2013. Over 12 years, 11 species disappeared, but 13 new ones emerged. For the time being, the average species richness N increased from 12 to 16 per relevé. The biodiversity index H' increased from 2.8 to 3.6.

Intraspecific genetic diversity modulates plant-soil feedback and nutrient cycling.

Plant genetic diversity can affect ecosystem functioning by enhancing productivity, litter decomposition and resistance to natural enemies. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that genetic diversity may influence ecosystem processes by eliciting functional plasticity among individuals encountering kin or genetically diverse neighbourhoods. We used soil conditioned by groups of closely related (siblings) and diverse genotypes of Deschampsia cespitosa - a species known to exhibit kin recognition via root exudation - to investigate the consequences of kin interactions for root litter decomposition and negative feedback between plants and soil biota. Genetically diverse groups produced root litter that had higher nitrogen (N) content, decomposed faster and resulted in greater N uptake by the next generation of seedlings compared with litter produced by sibling groups. However, a similar degree of negative soil feedback on plant productivity was observed in soil conditioned by siblings and genetically diverse groups. This suggests that characteristics of roots produced by sibling groups slow down N cycling but moderate the expected negative impact of soil pathogens in low-diversity stands. These findings highlight interactions between neighbouring genotypes as an overlooked mechanism by which genetic diversity can affect biotic soil feedback and nutrient cycling.

In situ assay of nitrate reductase activity using portable water bath.

In environmental research (i.e., plant ecophysiology, environmental microbiology, and environmental chemistry), some assays require incubation of samples at controlled temperature and darkness. Until now, due to a lack of equipment providing such possibility in situ, researchers had to move collected samples to the laboratory for incubation. Obviously, a delayed incubation and the ex situ conditions could seriously affect the assays' results. A good example of analysis where water bath use is needed is the nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in vivo assay where plant tissue samples are incubated in buffer solution at a predetermined temperature. We designed a transportable water bath with a temperature control which enables in situ measurements in many types of environmental studies. The presented device is small in size featuring a thermally insulated chamber and an electronically controlled thermostat system powered by a 12-V battery. Due to its modular design, it can be transported comfortably in difficult terrain. The incubation process can be carried out continuously in stable temperature and darkness. In order to examine the field usability of the presented device, we conducted measurements of plant nitrate reductase activity in difficult field conditions. The in situ assays were carried out at high altitudes in the Karkonosze mountains, SW Poland. The NRA was studied in two alpine species (Deschampsia caespitosa and Homogyne alpina). Our results showed low NR activity in H. alpina (mean 0.31μM NO2 g-1 DW h-1) and higher NRA in D. caespitosa (mean 2.7μM NO2 g-1 DW h-1). The obtained results were highly reproducible and had small variability (low standard error values).