1997 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Spatiotemporal dynamics of the clone of white clover in a grazed sward
| Project/Area Number |
08660329
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Zootechnical science/Grassland science
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| Research Institution | Shizuoka University |
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Principal Investigator |
SAWADA Hitoshi Shizuoka University, Faculty of Agriculture, Professor, 農学部, 教授 (10183831)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1996 – 1997
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| Keywords | White clover / Grazed sward / Spatiotemporal dynamics / Clonal plant / Clonal growth / Clonal reproductive ecology / Defoliation stress / Clone identification |
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| Research Abstract |
Spatiotemporal dynamics of a single clone of white clover was examined in a grazed sward. Firstly, new techniques were developrd to measure and describe the clonal growth of white clover. Using the techiques, clonal growth of the target clone was monitored for two years in a perennial ryegrass-white clover sward. Following results were obtained : (1) The clone spreaded widely in summer to late-autumn but decreased its size in winter to early-summer. This depression was due to the thawing-frosting cycle. (2) Fragmentation of the clone occurred in winter to early-spring. Modules with roots and branches were likely to be sites for the separation. (3) Crush phenomenon was observed. (4) Branching strategy was found out. (5) The extent and pattern of defoliation by cattle were assessed. Number of healthy leaves which were not eaten was small. They placed near around the apex of stolons. (6) In an intensively grazed sward, defoliation stress to white clover clones was uniformly severe.(7) Defoliation stress gives them heavy damage and promotes the changes in size, resulting in high mortality risk.
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Research Products
(6 results)
