Miller and Rose measured the effects of simulated autumn herbivory on crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) tiller mortality and plant growth. Tiller recruitment was lower in the autumn defoliated treatment in both years compared with the control because of the cessation of tiller development following autumn defoliation. Autumn defoliation also significantly reduced the movement of 13C to the roots in 1988 but not in 1989. Over-winter tiller mortality and soil water depletion rates were not different between treatments. These results suggest that defoliation of newly initiated fall tillers will not have lasting effects on plant and tiller production at this Oregon site.
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