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THE OPERATION OF INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION IN CAUSING DELAYED GROWTH OF GRASSES
Author(s) -
CHIPPINDALE H. G.
Publication year - 1932
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1932.tb04318.x
Subject(s) - biology , interspecific competition , germination , botany , competition (biology) , festuca rubra , poa pratensis , agronomy , festuca pratensis , poaceae , ecology , lolium perenne
SUMMARY1 An explanation is provided of the causation by L. italicum of delayed establishment in F. pratensis, Phleum pratense and Poa trivialis.2 The presence of seeds or seedlings of L. italicum is not detrimental to the germination of the other species under conditions thought likely to occur in the field, except in the case of Poa trivialis , the seeds of which grass are extremely susceptible to the presence of carbon dioxide and hence to root‐respiration. 3 Under certain conditions, seedlings of L. italicum inhibit completely the growth of seedlings of the other three grasses, the latter being deprived of light and soil nutrients. At the same time, seedlings suffering suppression in this way are remarkably persistent and are capable of immediate recovery on the removal of competition. 4 The significance of this behaviour, ecologically and to agricultural practice, is discussed. 5 The effeet of different physical factors on germination in the same four species of grass is described. The action of low temperatures in depressing the germination of F. pratensis, Phleumpratense and Poa trivialis to a greater extent than that of L. italicum is considered an important factor in interspecific competition.