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Phenology of perennial, native grass, belowground axillary buds in the northern mixed‐grass prairie
Author(s) -
Russell Morgan L.,
Vermeire Lance T.,
Ganguli Amy C.,
Hendrickson John R.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.3732/ajb.1700132
Subject(s) - biology , perennial plant , axillary bud , bouteloua gracilis , dormancy , annual growth cycle of grapevines , phenology , agronomy , apical dominance , growing season , grassland , botany , germination , shoot , explant culture , biochemistry , in vitro
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Vegetative reproduction from belowground bud banks is the primary driver of grassland systems. Despite the importance of bud banks, the timing of recruitment and the crucial link between formation and maintenance is unknown. METHODS: We assessed patterns of belowground bud development, dormancy, and mortality associated with three perennial native grasses in the northern Great Plains. Temperature and soil moisture were measured below the soil surface to determine relationships with belowground bud development. KEY RESULTS: Blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ) generated more buds over winter that remained dormant; whereas, C 3 species needle‐and‐thread ( Hesperostipa comata ) and western wheatgrass ( Pascopyrum smithii ), maintained limited dormant buds throughout winter. Soil temperature was a good predictor for C 4 species bud production; whereas, soil moisture was a reliable predictor for C 3 buds. Distinct differences existed between C 4 species blue grama and C 3 species needle‐and‐thread, whereas C 3 species western wheatgrass ( Pascopyrum smithii ) was intermediate, indicating there is likely a species‐specific continuum between the C 3 and C 4 extremes rather than a stark difference. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to predict belowground bud development is a novel insight to native perennial grasses. Native grass species’ strategies and adaptability regarding belowground bud bank size and bud phenology are important factors optimizing tiller recruitment given the variable growing conditions. Patterns of bud dormancy and development will provide insight to the underlying mechanisms by which management practices and fluctuations in precipitation amount and growing season length can alter mixed‐grass prairie plant community dynamics.