Publication Date
1997
Description
The poor establishment success of Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea Fisch. Nevski) limits its use. Our hypothesis was that Russian wildrye (RWR) was more sensitive to light competition than crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum Fischer ex Link) or Dahurian wildrye (Elymus dahuricus Turcz. Ex Grieseb.). Seedlings were grown under plastic filters that altered both quantity and quality of light. Tiller counts, leaf counts, leaf area, light intensity and red:farred light ratio (above and beside each seedling) were recorded each week for four weeks after planting. Seedling dry weights were determined at four weeks. Low light intensity significantly reduced tiller number and seedling dry weight for all three species. Within similar light intensity treatments, there was a tendency for larger seedling dry weight at higher r:fr ratio treatments. Site filling at week three was correlated to r:fr light ratio (side) for all three species. Site filling of RWR was lowest but responsive to increased r:fr light ratio. New RWR pastures should be seeded without companion crops.
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Light Quality Effects on Grass Seedling Growth and Development
The poor establishment success of Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea Fisch. Nevski) limits its use. Our hypothesis was that Russian wildrye (RWR) was more sensitive to light competition than crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum Fischer ex Link) or Dahurian wildrye (Elymus dahuricus Turcz. Ex Grieseb.). Seedlings were grown under plastic filters that altered both quantity and quality of light. Tiller counts, leaf counts, leaf area, light intensity and red:farred light ratio (above and beside each seedling) were recorded each week for four weeks after planting. Seedling dry weights were determined at four weeks. Low light intensity significantly reduced tiller number and seedling dry weight for all three species. Within similar light intensity treatments, there was a tendency for larger seedling dry weight at higher r:fr ratio treatments. Site filling at week three was correlated to r:fr light ratio (side) for all three species. Site filling of RWR was lowest but responsive to increased r:fr light ratio. New RWR pastures should be seeded without companion crops.
