Publication Date
1997
Description
The objectives of this study were to determine the date of transition from vegetative to reproductive stage at different defoliation frequencies in tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum). In addition, we assessed the relationship between the spring temperatures and the rate of leaf appearance. To meet both objectives we had defoliated and undefoliated plant plots at Balcarce Experiment Station, Argentina. The different defoliation treatments (every 7, 14, 21 and 28 days) delayed or avoided the manifestation of the reproductive stage. The apexes of undefoliated plants began to rise on October 12, while defoliated ones slowed that elevation or the same did not register. The appearance of a leaf required 42 days at the end of winter, but it need only 25.5 days in spring. Our results show that a frequency of defoliation of approximately 28 days fitS the frequency of defoliation to control the losses of forage produced and to improve the forage quality.
Included in
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Management of Tall Wheatgrass Based on the Leaf Appearance During Spring
The objectives of this study were to determine the date of transition from vegetative to reproductive stage at different defoliation frequencies in tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum). In addition, we assessed the relationship between the spring temperatures and the rate of leaf appearance. To meet both objectives we had defoliated and undefoliated plant plots at Balcarce Experiment Station, Argentina. The different defoliation treatments (every 7, 14, 21 and 28 days) delayed or avoided the manifestation of the reproductive stage. The apexes of undefoliated plants began to rise on October 12, while defoliated ones slowed that elevation or the same did not register. The appearance of a leaf required 42 days at the end of winter, but it need only 25.5 days in spring. Our results show that a frequency of defoliation of approximately 28 days fitS the frequency of defoliation to control the losses of forage produced and to improve the forage quality.
