Pedreira et al. determined persistence of the "Florakirk" cultivar of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) at different stocking rates (stubble heights of 8-,16-,24-cm) and management regimes (rest period of 7, 21, 35 days) by measuring botanical composition, light interception, rhizome mass, and carbohydrate reserves before and after grazing. Light interception increased with stubble height and was less responsive to rest period, whereas rhizome mass declined with increasing stubble height and decreasing rest periods, suggesting a tolerance mechanism of increasing photosynthetic efficiency in response to grazing. TNC (total non-structural carbohydrates) levels varied between years and although TNC pools in rhizomes and stubble base decreased with height and increased with rest, they were not associated with stand loss or plant survival, suggesting TNC status is not a critical determinant of Florakirk persistence. Persistence of Florakirk bermudagrass in its habitat was not effected by grazing and therefore recommendations should be based on maximizing productivity and nutritional value, i.e. stubble height of 20 cm and rest periods of 14 days.
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