Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management

Autores
Pittaro, Gabriela; Winter, Fábio L.; Moncada, Valentina Y.M.; Sbrissia, André F.
Año de publicación
2025
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión aceptada
Descripción
Grazing management is an important component affecting pasture stability, but the underlying demographic mechanisms remain poorly understood in mixed-species systems. This three-year study investigated how grazing height (15 cm and 20 cm pre-grazing) and strategic spring defoliation (7 cm) influence stability in mixed pastures composed of complementary C3/C4 grasses (Lolium arundinaceum and Cenchrus clandestinus). Utilizing demographic and tiller size/density relationship theories, we examined population dynamics to better understand pasture stability. The results indicated that height management significantly affected the demographic traits with shorter grazing (15 cm) increasing tiller emergence and population density while reducing individual tiller weight. In addition, higher tiller population density (TPD) and lower tiller weight (TW) were observed in the shorter treatments. Despite these contrasting responses, the mixed pasture maintained consistent stability across treatments through compensatory relationships between tiller traits. The stability index remained close to 1 (0.956 ± 0.02) regardless of management, demonstrating robust demographic equilibrium. Individual species showed distinct seasonal stability patterns - L. arundinaceum dominating in winter and C. clandestinus in spring and summer - yet their complementary growth maintained year-round system stability. The self-thinning law effectively revealed stable size-density compensation across treatments, suggesting its utility for assessing mixed sward persistence. These findings demonstrate that mixed pastures can maintain demographic stability under varying grazing regimes through species complementarity and population-level compensatory mechanisms.
Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales
Fil: Pittaro, Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales; Argentina
Fil: Pittaro, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Estudios Agropecuarios (UDEA); Argentina
Fil: Winter, Fábio L. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; Brasil
Fil: Moncada, Valentina Y. M. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; Brasil
Fil: Sbrissia, André F. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; Brasil
Fuente
The Journal of Agricultural Science: (Published online: 26 February 2025)
Materia
Grasses
Tillering
Sward Persistence
Graminea
Macollamiento
Persistencia
Perennial Grasses
Tillering Dynamics
Pasture Mixture
Self-thinning Law
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso restringido
Condiciones de uso
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Repositorio
INTA Digital (INTA)
Institución
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
OAI Identificador
oai:localhost:20.500.12123/21640
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oai_identifier_str oai:localhost:20.500.12123/21640
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network_name_str INTA Digital (INTA)
spelling Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing managementPittaro, GabrielaWinter, Fábio L.Moncada, Valentina Y.M.Sbrissia, André F.GrassesTilleringSward PersistenceGramineaMacollamientoPersistenciaPerennial GrassesTillering DynamicsPasture MixtureSelf-thinning LawGrazing management is an important component affecting pasture stability, but the underlying demographic mechanisms remain poorly understood in mixed-species systems. This three-year study investigated how grazing height (15 cm and 20 cm pre-grazing) and strategic spring defoliation (7 cm) influence stability in mixed pastures composed of complementary C3/C4 grasses (Lolium arundinaceum and Cenchrus clandestinus). Utilizing demographic and tiller size/density relationship theories, we examined population dynamics to better understand pasture stability. The results indicated that height management significantly affected the demographic traits with shorter grazing (15 cm) increasing tiller emergence and population density while reducing individual tiller weight. In addition, higher tiller population density (TPD) and lower tiller weight (TW) were observed in the shorter treatments. Despite these contrasting responses, the mixed pasture maintained consistent stability across treatments through compensatory relationships between tiller traits. The stability index remained close to 1 (0.956 ± 0.02) regardless of management, demonstrating robust demographic equilibrium. Individual species showed distinct seasonal stability patterns - L. arundinaceum dominating in winter and C. clandestinus in spring and summer - yet their complementary growth maintained year-round system stability. The self-thinning law effectively revealed stable size-density compensation across treatments, suggesting its utility for assessing mixed sward persistence. These findings demonstrate that mixed pastures can maintain demographic stability under varying grazing regimes through species complementarity and population-level compensatory mechanisms.Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos VegetalesFil: Pittaro, Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales; ArgentinaFil: Pittaro, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Estudios Agropecuarios (UDEA); ArgentinaFil: Winter, Fábio L. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; BrasilFil: Moncada, Valentina Y. M. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; BrasilFil: Sbrissia, André F. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; BrasilCambridge University Pressinfo:eu-repo/date/embargoEnd/2025-09-132025-03-13T09:55:49Z2025-03-13T09:55:49Z2025-02-26info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/21640https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-agricultural-science/article/abs/tiller-population-dynamics-and-selfthinning-law-reveal-stability-mechanisms-in-mixed-grass-swards-under-variable-grazing-management/D42BB2039652C260092B542B56E6BBF70021-85961469-5146https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859625000176The Journal of Agricultural Science: (Published online: 26 February 2025)reponame:INTA Digital (INTA)instname:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuariaenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccesshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)2025-09-11T10:25:39Zoai:localhost:20.500.12123/21640instacron:INTAInstitucionalhttp://repositorio.inta.gob.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://repositorio.inta.gob.ar/oai/requesttripaldi.nicolas@inta.gob.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:l2025-09-11 10:25:39.59INTA Digital (INTA) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuariafalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
title Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
spellingShingle Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
Pittaro, Gabriela
Grasses
Tillering
Sward Persistence
Graminea
Macollamiento
Persistencia
Perennial Grasses
Tillering Dynamics
Pasture Mixture
Self-thinning Law
title_short Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
title_full Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
title_fullStr Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
title_full_unstemmed Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
title_sort Tiller population dynamics and self-thinning law reveal stability mechanisms in mixed grass swards under variable grazing management
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Pittaro, Gabriela
Winter, Fábio L.
Moncada, Valentina Y.M.
Sbrissia, André F.
author Pittaro, Gabriela
author_facet Pittaro, Gabriela
Winter, Fábio L.
Moncada, Valentina Y.M.
Sbrissia, André F.
author_role author
author2 Winter, Fábio L.
Moncada, Valentina Y.M.
Sbrissia, André F.
author2_role author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Grasses
Tillering
Sward Persistence
Graminea
Macollamiento
Persistencia
Perennial Grasses
Tillering Dynamics
Pasture Mixture
Self-thinning Law
topic Grasses
Tillering
Sward Persistence
Graminea
Macollamiento
Persistencia
Perennial Grasses
Tillering Dynamics
Pasture Mixture
Self-thinning Law
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Grazing management is an important component affecting pasture stability, but the underlying demographic mechanisms remain poorly understood in mixed-species systems. This three-year study investigated how grazing height (15 cm and 20 cm pre-grazing) and strategic spring defoliation (7 cm) influence stability in mixed pastures composed of complementary C3/C4 grasses (Lolium arundinaceum and Cenchrus clandestinus). Utilizing demographic and tiller size/density relationship theories, we examined population dynamics to better understand pasture stability. The results indicated that height management significantly affected the demographic traits with shorter grazing (15 cm) increasing tiller emergence and population density while reducing individual tiller weight. In addition, higher tiller population density (TPD) and lower tiller weight (TW) were observed in the shorter treatments. Despite these contrasting responses, the mixed pasture maintained consistent stability across treatments through compensatory relationships between tiller traits. The stability index remained close to 1 (0.956 ± 0.02) regardless of management, demonstrating robust demographic equilibrium. Individual species showed distinct seasonal stability patterns - L. arundinaceum dominating in winter and C. clandestinus in spring and summer - yet their complementary growth maintained year-round system stability. The self-thinning law effectively revealed stable size-density compensation across treatments, suggesting its utility for assessing mixed sward persistence. These findings demonstrate that mixed pastures can maintain demographic stability under varying grazing regimes through species complementarity and population-level compensatory mechanisms.
Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales
Fil: Pittaro, Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales; Argentina
Fil: Pittaro, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Estudios Agropecuarios (UDEA); Argentina
Fil: Winter, Fábio L. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; Brasil
Fil: Moncada, Valentina Y. M. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; Brasil
Fil: Sbrissia, André F. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias; Brasil
description Grazing management is an important component affecting pasture stability, but the underlying demographic mechanisms remain poorly understood in mixed-species systems. This three-year study investigated how grazing height (15 cm and 20 cm pre-grazing) and strategic spring defoliation (7 cm) influence stability in mixed pastures composed of complementary C3/C4 grasses (Lolium arundinaceum and Cenchrus clandestinus). Utilizing demographic and tiller size/density relationship theories, we examined population dynamics to better understand pasture stability. The results indicated that height management significantly affected the demographic traits with shorter grazing (15 cm) increasing tiller emergence and population density while reducing individual tiller weight. In addition, higher tiller population density (TPD) and lower tiller weight (TW) were observed in the shorter treatments. Despite these contrasting responses, the mixed pasture maintained consistent stability across treatments through compensatory relationships between tiller traits. The stability index remained close to 1 (0.956 ± 0.02) regardless of management, demonstrating robust demographic equilibrium. Individual species showed distinct seasonal stability patterns - L. arundinaceum dominating in winter and C. clandestinus in spring and summer - yet their complementary growth maintained year-round system stability. The self-thinning law effectively revealed stable size-density compensation across treatments, suggesting its utility for assessing mixed sward persistence. These findings demonstrate that mixed pastures can maintain demographic stability under varying grazing regimes through species complementarity and population-level compensatory mechanisms.
publishDate 2025
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-03-13T09:55:49Z
2025-03-13T09:55:49Z
2025-02-26
info:eu-repo/date/embargoEnd/2025-09-13
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str acceptedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/21640
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-agricultural-science/article/abs/tiller-population-dynamics-and-selfthinning-law-reveal-stability-mechanisms-in-mixed-grass-swards-under-variable-grazing-management/D42BB2039652C260092B542B56E6BBF7
0021-8596
1469-5146
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859625000176
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/21640
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-agricultural-science/article/abs/tiller-population-dynamics-and-selfthinning-law-reveal-stability-mechanisms-in-mixed-grass-swards-under-variable-grazing-management/D42BB2039652C260092B542B56E6BBF7
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859625000176
identifier_str_mv 0021-8596
1469-5146
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
eu_rights_str_mv restrictedAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Cambridge University Press
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Cambridge University Press
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv The Journal of Agricultural Science: (Published online: 26 February 2025)
reponame:INTA Digital (INTA)
instname:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
reponame_str INTA Digital (INTA)
collection INTA Digital (INTA)
instname_str Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
repository.name.fl_str_mv INTA Digital (INTA) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
repository.mail.fl_str_mv tripaldi.nicolas@inta.gob.ar
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score 12.993085

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