Plants of two species of Sesbania were defoliated in patterns designed to reveal the level of integrated response. For field grown plants, defoliation caused fruit abortion on the defoliated branches, but not elsewhere, showing that the response is at the branch level. When some of the leaves within each branch were removed, the entire branch showed reduction in fruit set. Greenhouse-grown plants had a simpler overall shape, they were unbranched and so had more limited responses. Thus, the size and shape of plants may determine response. The two species also responded differently to the clipping methods. Sesbania vesicaria sustained more damage when half of each leaf was removed and Sesbania macrocarpa sustained more damage when every other leaf was removed. Based on these results and the results of previous studies, the authors suggest that the response level of Sesbania plants depends on the age, size, and time of year of defoliation and that different herbivore feeding strategies can have species specific effects on Sesbania plants.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.