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Genetic shifts in smooth bromegrass under grazing: changes in nutritional value and preference for surviving vs. original genotypes
Author(s) -
Falkner L. K.,
Casler M. D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2494.2000.00238.x
Subject(s) - grazing , bromus inermis , biology , agronomy , biomass (ecology) , population , preference , competition (biology) , poaceae , ecology , mathematics , demography , statistics , sociology
Genetic shifts in plant morphology and reproductive characters under grazing may potentially affect nutritive value and preference. This research was conducted to determine the response of smooth bromegrass ( Bromus inermis Leyss.) populations to long‐term grazing. Genotypes from five populations of smooth bromegrass that survived 9 years of grazing were compared with genotypes of each population grown from original seed. Plant height was measured and biomass estimated for each genotype, before and after grazing by sheep, in order to assess preference. Genotypes were also tested for nutritive value. The selective effect of competition during establishment and maintenance under grazing was accompanied by genetic shifts in smooth bromegrass plants in these pastures. Survivors had greater plant biomass despite having a decrease in plant height of up to 5%. Preference for survivors, quantified as percentage consumption by sheep, was up to 3% units less than for original populations. The nutritive value of survivors was similar to that of original populations, except for one population, which had a lower neutral‐detergent fibre among the survivors after grazing.