The effects of defoliation on plant community, root biomass and nutrient allocation and soil chemical properties on semi-arid steppes in northern China

Article


Guo, Y-J., Han, L., Li, G-D., Han, J-G., Wang, G-L., Li, Z-Y. and Wilson, B.. 2012. "The effects of defoliation on plant community, root biomass and nutrient allocation and soil chemical properties on semi-arid steppes in northern China." Journal of Arid Environments. 78, pp. 128-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.11.003
Article Title

The effects of defoliation on plant community, root biomass and nutrient allocation and soil chemical properties on semi-arid steppes in northern China

ERA Journal ID3268
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsGuo, Y-J. (Author), Han, L. (Author), Li, G-D. (Author), Han, J-G. (Author), Wang, G-L. (Author), Li, Z-Y. (Author) and Wilson, B. (Author)
Journal TitleJournal of Arid Environments
Journal Citation78, pp. 128-134
Number of Pages7
Year2012
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0140-1963
1095-922X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.11.003
Web Address (URL)http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196311003375
Abstract

Semi-arid steppes in northern China have severely deteriorated over the past 50 years, mostly due to improper grazing management. A defoliation experiment was conducted on a Leymus chinensis-dominated semi-arid steppe to provide guidelines of grazing management and favor long-term restoration of degraded grasslands. There were five defoliation treatments: non-defoliation (no cutting during growing season) as control; light defoliation (cut 15 cm above ground level); medium defoliation (10 cm); hard defoliation (5 cm) and severe defoliation (2 cm). Results showed that hard and severe defoliation significantly reduced the concentrations of soluble carbohydrates in rhizomes and fibrous roots and decreased the belowground biomass and the ratio of below/aboveground biomass. Defoliation increased plant species diversity, but decreased biomass of L. chinensis significantly. The biomass of L. chinensis under light defoliation was lower than that in control, indicating L. chinensis was highly sensitive to defoliation. Defoliation intensity in general had no significant effect on soil chemical properties during the experimental period, suggesting that soil chemical properties might have a greater tolerance to short-term heavy defoliation compared to plant community. However, prolonged intensive defoliation would result in severe ecological consequences. Further studies are required to investigate the response of soil chemical properties to long-term defoliation.

Keywordsagro-pastoral transitional zones; cutting; degradation; Leymus chinensis; management
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020300409. Crop and pasture protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsSouthwest China Normal University, China
Southwest University, China
Charles Sturt University
China Agricultural University, China
Sustainable Agricultural Development Institute of Shandong, China
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3q70/the-effects-of-defoliation-on-plant-community-root-biomass-and-nutrient-allocation-and-soil-chemical-properties-on-semi-arid-steppes-in-northern-china

  • 1462
    total views
  • 10
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Mealybug Population Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Sampling Methods for Saccharicoccus sacchari and Heliococcus summervillei in Sugarcane (Saccharum sp. Hybrids)
Xu, Hang, Humpal, Jacob A., Wilson, Bree A. L., Ash, Gavin J. and Powell, Kevin S.. 2024. "Mealybug Population Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Sampling Methods for Saccharicoccus sacchari and Heliococcus summervillei in Sugarcane (Saccharum sp. Hybrids)." Insects. 15 (7). https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070492
Soil solarisation delivers near zero levels of Fusarium pseudograminearum in cereal crown rot reference sites
Bottomley, Prue, Sutherland, Mark, Wilson, Bree, Rognoni, Bethany, Kelly, Alison and Percy, Cassandra D.. 2024. "Soil solarisation delivers near zero levels of Fusarium pseudograminearum in cereal crown rot reference sites." Crop Protection. 185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106887
Detection and identification of Bogia coconut syndrome phytoplasma from seed-associated tissues and seedlings of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and betel nut (Areca catechu)
Lu, Hengyu, Wilson, Bree, Zhang, Hanfang, Woruba, Sharon B., Feng, Bowen, Johnson, Anne C., Komolong, Birte, Kuniata, Lastus, Yang, Guang and Gurr, Geof M.. 2024. "Detection and identification of Bogia coconut syndrome phytoplasma from seed-associated tissues and seedlings of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and betel nut (Areca catechu)." Scientific Reports. 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61916-4
Belowground crop responses to root herbivory are associated with the community structure of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Ng, Anna, Wilson, Bree A.L. and Frew, Adam. 2023. "Belowground crop responses to root herbivory are associated with the community structure of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi." Applied Soil Ecology. 185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104797
Resporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae granules on soil and mortality of Tenebrio molitor: Implications for wireworm management in sweetpotato
Shah, Sudhan, Ash, Gavin J. and Wilson, Bree A. L.. 2023. "Resporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae granules on soil and mortality of Tenebrio molitor: Implications for wireworm management in sweetpotato." Annals of Applied Biology. 182 (1), pp. 65-76. https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12797
Resporulation of Calcium Alginate Encapsulated Metarhizium anisopliae on MethamĀ®-Fumigated Soil and Infectivity on Larvae of Tenebrio molitor
Shah, Sudhan, Ash, Gavin J. and Wilson, Bree A. L.. 2022. "Resporulation of Calcium Alginate Encapsulated Metarhizium anisopliae on MethamĀ®-Fumigated Soil and Infectivity on Larvae of Tenebrio molitor ." Journal of Fungi. 8 (10). https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101114
Interactions of fungal entomopathogens with synthetic insecticides for the control of Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Khun, Kim Khuy, Ash, Gavin J., Stevens, Mark M., Huwer, Ruth K. and Wilson, Bree A. L.. 2021. "Interactions of fungal entomopathogens with synthetic insecticides for the control of Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)." Journal of Applied Entomology. 145 (6), pp. 553-566. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12879
Transmission of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to adults of Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from infected adults and conidiated cadavers
Khun, Kim Khuy, Ash, Gavin J., Stevens, Mark M., Huwer, Ruth K. and Wilson, Bree A. L.. 2021. "Transmission of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to adults of Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from infected adults and conidiated cadavers." Scientific Reports. 11, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81647-0
Different mycorrhizal fungal communities differentially affect plant phenolic-based resistance to insect herbivory
Frew, Adam and Wilson, Bree A. L.. 2021. "Different mycorrhizal fungal communities differentially affect plant phenolic-based resistance to insect herbivory." Rhizosphere. 19, pp. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2021.100365
Integration of entomopathogenic fungi into IPM programs: studies involving weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) affecting horticultural crops
Khun, Kim Khuy, Wilson, Bree A. L, Stevens, Mark M., Huwer, Ruth K. and Ash, Gavin J.. 2020. "Integration of entomopathogenic fungi into IPM programs: studies involving weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) affecting horticultural crops." Insects. 11 (10). https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11100659
Compatibility of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana with insecticides and fungicides used in macadamia production in Australia
Khun, Kim Khuy, Ash, Gavin J., Stevens, Mark M., Huwer, Ruth K. and Wilson, Bree A.L.. 2021. "Compatibility of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana with insecticides and fungicides used in macadamia production in Australia." Pest Management Science. 77 (2), pp. 709-718. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6065
Response of the macadamia seed weevil Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassianain laboratory bioassays
Khun, Kim Khuy, Ash, Gavin J., Stevens, Mark M., Huwer, Ruth K. and Wilson, Bree A.L.. 2020. "Response of the macadamia seed weevil Kuschelorhynchus macadamiae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassianain laboratory bioassays." Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 174, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2020.107437
Occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp.) in Australian vineyard soils
Korosi, Gyongyver A., Wilson, Bree A. L., Powell, Kevin S., Ash, Gavin J., Reineke, Annette and Savocchia, Sandra. 2019. "Occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium spp.) in Australian vineyard soils." Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 164, pp. 69-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2019.05.002
Chronic effects and horizontal transmission of Metarhizium anisopliae strain QS155 infection in the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae)
Dotaona, Ronnie, Wilson, Bree A. L., Stevens, Mark M., Holloway, Joanne and Ash, Gavin J.. 2017. "Chronic effects and horizontal transmission of Metarhizium anisopliae strain QS155 infection in the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae)." Biological Control. 114, pp. 24-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.07.008
Sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fab.)(Coleoptera: Brentidae) avoids its host plant when a virulent Metarhizium anisopliae isolate is present
Dotaona, Ronnie, Wilson, Bree A. L., Ash, Gavin J., Holloway, Joanne and Stevens, Mark M.. 2017. "Sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fab.)(Coleoptera: Brentidae) avoids its host plant when a virulent Metarhizium anisopliae isolate is present." Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 148, pp. 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2017.05.010
Screening of tropical isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) for virulence to the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae)
Dotaona, Ronnie, Wilson, Bree A. L., Stevens, Mark M., Holloway, Joanne and Ash, Gavin J.. 2015. "Screening of tropical isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) for virulence to the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae)." International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. 35 (4), pp. 153-163. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758415000211
Coconut lethal yellowing diseases: a phytoplasma threat to palms of global economic and social significance
Gurr, Geoff M., Johnson, Anne C., Ash, Gavin J., Wilson, Bree A. L., Ero, Mark M., Pilotti, Carmel A., Dewhurst, Charles F. and You, Minsheng S.. 2016. "Coconut lethal yellowing diseases: a phytoplasma threat to palms of global economic and social significance." Frontiers in Plant Science. 7, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01521
Determining putative vectors of the Bogia Coconut Syndrome Phytoplasma using loop-mediated isothermal amplification of single insect-feeding media
Lu, Hengyu, Wilson, Bree A. L., Ash, Gavin J., Woruba, Sharon B., Fletcher, Murray J., You, Minsheng, Yang, Guang and Gurr, Geoff M.. 2016. "Determining putative vectors of the Bogia Coconut Syndrome Phytoplasma using loop-mediated isothermal amplification of single insect-feeding media." Scientific Reports. 6, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep35801
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in perennial pastures; responses to long-term lime application
Guo, Y. J., Ni, Y., Raman, H., Wilson, B. A. L., Ash, G. J., Wang, A. S. and Li, G. D.. 2012. "Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in perennial pastures; responses to long-term lime application." Plant and Soil: international journal on plant-soil relationships. 351 (1-2), pp. 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0976-7
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve the growth and nodulation of the annual legume messina (Melilotus siculus) under saline and non-saline conditions
Wilson, B. A. L., Ash, G. J. and Harper, J. D. I.. 2012. "Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve the growth and nodulation of the annual legume messina (Melilotus siculus) under saline and non-saline conditions." Crop and Pasture Science. 63 (2), pp. 164-178. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP11193
Responses of physiological indexes and leaf epicuticular waxes of Brassica napus to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection
Ni, Y., Guo, Y. -J., Wang, J., Xia, R. -E., Wang, X. -Q., Ash, G. and Li, J. -N.. 2014. "Responses of physiological indexes and leaf epicuticular waxes of Brassica napus to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection." Plant Pathology. 63 (1), pp. 174-184. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.12060
The genome sequence of the biocontrol fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and comparative genomics of Metarhizium species
Pattemore, Julie A., Hane, James K., Williams, Angela H., Wilson, Bree A. L., Stodart, Ben J. and Ash, Gavin J.. 2014. "The genome sequence of the biocontrol fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and comparative genomics of Metarhizium species." BMC Genomics. 15 (1), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-660