Briske and Anderson measured the effects of defoliation on tiller characteristics and plant production in Schizachyrium scoparium gardens planted at different levels of tiller dispersion, but equal tiller density. Gardens planted at intermediate and maximum dispersion levels had greater increases in tiller density, basal area, and annual production, during the study, than gardens planted at minimum dispersion levels. Defoliation did not affect tiller or annual biomass production, but enhanced xylem water pressure potential and stomatal conductance. The results of this study suggest that tiller dispersion does not affect the response of S. scoparium to defoliation and that this species is capable of recovering from short-term heavy grazing events, without decreased plant production.
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