Tiller demographics were studied on northern wheatgrass plants that were clipped at different frequencies (every 2 or 6 weeks), starting at different dates during the growing season (May, June, July or August). Tillering varied by year depending on precipitation, soil water and previous clipping damage, but generally, plants responded to clipping by increasing tiller production. Clipping at both frequencies enhanced tiller survival, especially when clipping was delayed until later in the growing season. The results of this simulated grazing study suggest that northern wheatgrass mixed prairie can be defoliated multiple times late in the grazing season without reducing tiller production or survival. However, the authors caution that these results will need to be evaluated with livestock grazing before on-the-ground management practices are utilized in these grasslands.
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