Carbohydrate reserves of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus) were lowest after initial spring growth, but maximum levels were rapidly attained as plants approached maturity. Fall regrowth caused reductions in total available carbohydrate (TAC) stores. More TAC reserves were used to produce new growth if plants were defoliated during spring growth than if defoliated at maturity or quiescence. Autumn TAC storage levels in both crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye were reduced by all previous defoliations. Autumn reserve storage was directly related to the amount of new growth produced after defoliation. Results indicate that both crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye are adapted for either fall or early spring grazing and under some circumstances for spring-fall use. Defoliation when plants are rapidly replenishing reserves or before maturity reduces subsequent new growth and carbohydrate reserve stores in the autumn. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.