Understanding the Geographic Patterns of Closely-Related Species of Paspalum (Poaceae) Using Distribution Modelling and Seed Germination Traits.

The sexual species of the Dilatata complex (Paspalum dasypleurum, P. flavescens, P. plurinerve, P. vacarianum, and P. urvillei) are closely related phylogenetically and show allopatric distributions, except P. urvillei. These species show microhabitat similarities and differences in germination traits. We integrated species distribution models (SDMs) and seed germination assays to determine whether germination divergences explain their biogeographic pattern. We trained SDMs in South America using species' presence-absence data and environmental variables. Additionally, populations sampled from highly favourable areas in the SDMs of these species were grown together, and their seeds germinated at different temperatures and dormancy-breaking conditions. Differences among species in seed dormancy and germination niche breadth were tested, and linear regressions between seed dormancy and climatic variables were explored. SDMs correctly classified both the observed presences and absences. Spatial factors and anthropogenic activities were the main factors explaining these distributions. Both SDMs and germination analyses confirmed that the niche of P. urvillei was broader than the other species which showed restricted distributions, narrower germination niches, and high correlations between seed dormancy and precipitation regimes. Both approaches provided evidence about the generalist-specialist status of each species. Divergences in seed dormancy between the specialist species could explain these allopatric distributions.

Forage production in a natural grassland with limestone and phosphorus dosages / Produção de forragem em pastagem natural submetida a aplicações de calcário e fósforo

The objective of this study was to assess forage production in a natural grassland by applying different doses of limestone and phosphorus, and the influence of these applications on soil profile. The treatments consisted of the application of limestone doses of 0.0, 7.2, and 14.4 t ha-1 and phosphorus doses of 0,35, 70, and 140 kg of P2O5 ha-1 on the soil surface. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with split-plots and three replications. The limestone doses were distributed in the main plot and applied only at the beginning of the experiment, whereas the phosphorus doses were distributed in the subplots with subsequent annual maintenance applications. Was used a ruler (cm) for monitoring the growth of pastures and, when grasses reached an average height of 20 cm, forage samples were collected in each subplot and botanical and morphological components were separated and dried until a constant weight was achieved. In the third and fourth assessment years, soil samples were collected in the 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20-cm layers to evaluate the influence of treatments on the chemical properties of the soil. The variables analyzed were related to the production of several components, including fodder, native grasses, leguminous plants, unwanted plants, and dead material, in addition to soil properties such as pH, exchangeable aluminum concentration, and base saturation. There was no interaction between the limestone and phosphorus treatments. The effect of limestone doses on forage production was assessed in the third year, and, in the following year, the intermediate dose of limestone (7.2 t ha-1) produced the highest yield (2,316.1 kg of dry matter [DM] of forage ha-1). (AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de forragem em pastagem natural submetida a doses superficiais de calcário e fósforo e a influência dessas aplicações ao longo do perfil do solo. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação de doses superficiais de calcário equivalentes a 0,0; 7,2 e 14,4 t.ha-1 e de fósforo equivalentes a 0; 35; 70 e 140 kg de P2O5 ha-1. O experimento foi conduzido de acordo com um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas e três repetições. As doses de calcário foram distribuídas na parcela principal e aplicadas unicamente no início do experimento enquanto que as doses de fósforo foram distribuídas nas subparcelas com posteriores aplicações anuais de manutenção. O acompanhamento do crescimento dos pastos foi realizado por meio de uma régua graduada em centímetros e, quando os pastos atingiam altura média de 20 cm, eram coletadas amostras de forragem de cada subparcela e posteriormente os componentes botânicos e morfológicos eram separados e secos até atingirem peso constante. No 3 e 4 ano de avaliação foram coletadas amostras de solo nas camadas de 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 e 15-20 cm de profundidade para verificar a influência dos tratamentos nos atributos químicos do solo. As variáveis analisadas envolveram desde a produção de forragem, de gramíneas e leguminosas nativas, de plantas indesejáveis e de material morto e atributos do solo como pH, concentração de alumínio trocável e saturação por bases. Não houve interação entre os tratamentos de calcário e fósforo. O efeito das doses de calcário sobre a produção de pastagem natural ocorreu a partir do 3º ano e, no ano seguinte, a dose intermediária do corretivo (7,2 t.ha-1) foi responsável pelas maiores produtividades (2.316,1 kg de MS de forragem.ha-1). As crescentes doses de fósforo aumentaram a produção de forragem a partir do 2° ano, atingindo produções de até 2.232 kg MS.ha-1 no 4° ano.(AU)

Forage production in a natural grassland with limestone and phosphorus dosages / Produção de forragem em pastagem natural submetida a aplicações de calcário e fósforo

The objective of this study was to assess forage production in a natural grassland by applying different doses of limestone and phosphorus, and the influence of these applications on soil profile. The treatments consisted of the application of limestone doses of 0.0, 7.2, and 14.4 t ha-1 and phosphorus doses of 0,35, 70, and 140 kg of P2O5 ha-1 on the soil surface. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with split-plots and three replications. The limestone doses were distributed in the main plot and applied only at the beginning of the experiment, whereas the phosphorus doses were distributed in the subplots with subsequent annual maintenance applications. Was used a ruler (cm) for monitoring the growth of pastures and, when grasses reached an average height of 20 cm, forage samples were collected in each subplot and botanical and morphological components were separated and dried until a constant weight was achieved. In the third and fourth assessment years, soil samples were collected in the 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20-cm layers to evaluate the influence of treatments on the chemical properties of the soil. The variables analyzed were related to the production of several components, including fodder, native grasses, leguminous plants, unwanted plants, and dead material, in addition to soil properties such as pH, exchangeable aluminum concentration, and base saturation. There was no interaction between the limestone and phosphorus treatments. The effect of limestone doses on forage production was assessed in the third year, and, in the following year, the intermediate dose of limestone (7.2 t ha-1) produced the highest yield (2,316.1 kg of dry matter [DM] of forage ha-1).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de forragem em pastagem natural submetida a doses superficiais de calcário e fósforo e a influência dessas aplicações ao longo do perfil do solo. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação de doses superficiais de calcário equivalentes a 0,0; 7,2 e 14,4 t.ha-1 e de fósforo equivalentes a 0; 35; 70 e 140 kg de P2O5 ha-1. O experimento foi conduzido de acordo com um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas e três repetições. As doses de calcário foram distribuídas na parcela principal e aplicadas unicamente no início do experimento enquanto que as doses de fósforo foram distribuídas nas subparcelas com posteriores aplicações anuais de manutenção. O acompanhamento do crescimento dos pastos foi realizado por meio de uma régua graduada em centímetros e, quando os pastos atingiam altura média de 20 cm, eram coletadas amostras de forragem de cada subparcela e posteriormente os componentes botânicos e morfológicos eram separados e secos até atingirem peso constante. No 3 e 4 ano de avaliação foram coletadas amostras de solo nas camadas de 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 e 15-20 cm de profundidade para verificar a influência dos tratamentos nos atributos químicos do solo. As variáveis analisadas envolveram desde a produção de forragem, de gramíneas e leguminosas nativas, de plantas indesejáveis e de material morto e atributos do solo como pH, concentração de alumínio trocável e saturação por bases. Não houve interação entre os tratamentos de calcário e fósforo. O efeito das doses de calcário sobre a produção de pastagem natural ocorreu a partir do 3º ano e, no ano seguinte, a dose intermediária do corretivo (7,2 t.ha-1) foi responsável pelas maiores produtividades (2.316,1 kg de MS de forragem.ha-1). As crescentes doses de fósforo aumentaram a produção de forragem a partir do 2° ano, atingindo produções de até 2.232 kg MS.ha-1 no 4° ano.

Is the Invasive Species Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Argentine Stem Weevil) a Threat to New Zealand Natural Grassland Ecosystems?

Listronotus bonariensis (Argentine stem weevil) is a stem-boring weevil that has become a major pasture pest in New Zealand, and cool climate turf grass in Australia. This species is also frequently found in native tussock grassland in New Zealand. Laboratory and field trials were established to determine the risk posed to both seedlings and established plants of three native grass species compared to what happens with a common host of this species, hybrid ryegrass (L. perenne X L. multiflorum). Adult weevil feeding damage scores were higher on Poa colensoi and Festuca novae-zelandiae than Chionochloa rigida. Oviposition was lower on P. colensoi than hybrid ryegrass, and no eggs were laid on F. novae-zelandiae. In field trials using the same four species established as spaced plants L. bonariensis laid more eggs per tiller in ryegrass in a low altitude pasture site than in ryegrass in a higher altitude site. No eggs were found on the three native grass species at the tussock sites, and only low numbers were found on other grasses at the low altitude pasture site. Despite this, numbers of adult weevils were extracted from the plants in the field trials. These may have comprised survivors of the original weevils added to the plants, together with new generation weevils that had emerged during the experiment. Irrespective, higher numbers were recovered from the tussock site plants than from those from the pasture site. It was concluded that L. bonariensis is likely to have little overall impact, but a greater impact on native grass seedling survival than on established plants.

Forage performance of Paspalum hybrids from an interspecific cross / Desempenho forrageiro de híbridos de Paspalum obtidos por meio de cruzamentos interespecíficos

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to assess the variability of Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum interspecific hybrids in terms of agronomic performance and their tolerance to cold conditions, as well as to estimate the correlation of different phenotypic characters associated with forage production. Twenty hybrids plants were used, besides one access P. guenoarum , one of P. plicatulum and the cultivar 'Pensacola' ( P. notatum ). Assessments were performed on individual plants, in a completely randomized design with five repetitions. Paspalum genotypes presented variability in total dry matter, leaf dry mass, leaf: stem ratio, and tolerance to cold. We suggest selection of the hybrids 08Q01 and 08Q44 for new stages within a forage improvement program. Estimates of phenotypic correlation may aid in the selection of genotypes with better agronomic traits.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variabilidade de híbridos interespecíficos de Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum por meio do desempenho agronômico e tolerância ao frio, bem como estimar as correlações fenotípicas de diferentes caracteres ligados à produção de forragem. Foram utilizados 20 híbridos, um acesso de P. guenoarum , um de P. plicatulum e a cultivar 'Pensacola' ( P. notatum ). As avaliações foram realizadas em plantas individuais, em delineamento completamente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Os genótipos de Paspalum apresentam variabilidade para massa seca total, massa seca de folhas e relação folha: colmo e na tolerância ao frio. É possível selecionar os híbridos 08Q01 e 08Q44 para novas etapas dentro de um programa de melhoramento de forrageiras. As estimativas de correlações fenotípicas podem auxiliar na seleção de genótipos com caracteres agronômicos superiores.

Forage performance of Paspalum hybrids from an interspecific cross / Desempenho forrageiro de híbridos de Paspalum obtidos por meio de cruzamentos interespecíficos

The goal of this study was to assess the variability of Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum interspecific hybrids in terms of agronomic performance and their tolerance to cold conditions, as well as to estimate the correlation of different phenotypic characters associated with forage production. Twenty hybrids plants were used, besides one access P. guenoarum , one of P. plicatulum and the cultivar 'Pensacola' ( P. notatum ). Assessments were performed on individual plants, in a completely randomized design with five repetitions. Paspalum genotypes presented variability in total dry matter, leaf dry mass, leaf: stem ratio, and tolerance to cold. We suggest selection of the hybrids 08Q01 and 08Q44 for new stages within a forage improvement program. Estimates of phenotypic correlation may aid in the selection of genotypes with better agronomic traits.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variabilidade de híbridos interespecíficos de Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum por meio do desempenho agronômico e tolerância ao frio, bem como estimar as correlações fenotípicas de diferentes caracteres ligados à produção de forragem. Foram utilizados 20 híbridos, um acesso de P. guenoarum , um de P. plicatulum e a cultivar 'Pensacola' ( P. notatum ). As avaliações foram realizadas em plantas individuais, em delineamento completamente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Os genótipos de Paspalum apresentam variabilidade para massa seca total, massa seca de folhas e relação folha: colmo e na tolerância ao frio. É possível selecionar os híbridos 08Q01 e 08Q44 para novas etapas dentro de um programa de melhoramento de forrageiras. As estimativas de correlações fenotípicas podem auxiliar na seleção de genótipos com caracteres agronômicos superiores.(AU)

Shade treatment affects structure and recovery of invasive C4 African grass Echinochloa pyramidalis.

Echinochloa pyramidalis (Lam.) Hitchc. & Chase is an African grass with C4 photosynthesis, high biomass production, and high vegetative propagation that is tolerant to grazing and able to grow in flooded and dry conditions. Thus, it is highly invasive in tropical freshwater marshes where it is intentionally planted by ranchers to increase cattle production. This invasion is reducing plant biodiversity by increasing the invader's aerial coverage, changing wetland hydrology and causing soil physicochemical changes such as vertical accretion. Reducing the dominance of this species and increasing the density of native wetland species is a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming process. We applied a series of disturbance treatments aimed at eliminating E. pyramidalis and recovering the native vegetation of a partially invaded freshwater marsh. Treatments included physical (cutting, soil disking, transplanting individuals of the key native species Sagittaria lancifolia subsp. media (Micheli) Bogin, and/or reducing light with shade mesh) and/or chemical (spraying Round-Up™ herbicide) disturbances. At the end of the experiment, four of the five treatments used were effective in increasing the cover and biomass of native species and reducing that of E. pyramidalis. The combination of these treatments should be used to generate a proposal for the restoration of tropical wetlands invaded by non-native grasses. A promising treatment is using soil disked to soften the soil and destroy belowground structures such as roots and rhizomes. This treatment would be more promising if combined with the use of shade cloth. If it is desirable not to impact the soil or if there is not enough budget to make an effort to include active restoration disking soil, the use of shade cloth will suffice, although the recovery of native vegetation will be slower.