Quantitative and nutrient characteristics of dominant species in different age classes on the Loess Plateau of Eastern Gansu

doi:10.11686/cyxb2022212

Abstract

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the quantitative characteristics of a plant population， including different age classes， to explore how it adapts to interference by environmental factors and livestock grazing. Previous studies on the quantitative characteristics of plant population in grassland lack age-level data. In this study， we determined the quantitative characters and nutrient characteristics of a three species plant clusters （Stipa bungeana， Lespedeza davurica， and Artemisia capillaris） in the typical steppe of the Loess Plateau， and separated the plant population into different age classes. It was found that： 1） The quantitative characters of the three plants were weakly influenced in the 6^th and 11^th years by rotational grazing； 2） The three plant species were ranked， from weakest to strongest influence of grazing on the plant cluster characteristics at each age class， as follows： A. capillaris<S. bungeana and L. davurica. The plant cluster characteristics of the three plant species increased with age class in two grazing years. The crown width and base diameter of L. davurica and the crown width， base diameter， and tiller number of S. bungeana were lower in the juvenile age class than in the other age classes. 3） The phosphorus content in S. bungeana was lower in the juvenile age class than in the reproductive and presenile+senile age classes， but higher in the juvenile age class than in the older age classes of L. davurica and A. capillaris. In the three plant species， the crude protein content was lower in the presenile+senile age class than in the juvenile and reproductive age classes， while the acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents were lower in the juvenile and reproductive age classes than in the presenile+senile age class. The contents of phosphorus， calcium， potassium， and magnesium in each age class were lower in S. bungeana than in L. davurica and A. capillaris. These results show that age classes can be effectively determined by the characteristics of tillers or branches and the “hollowing” （bald spots in the clusters） of species. The quantitative characters of these plants remained relatively stable under rotational grazing on the Loess Plateau， and the effect of livestock grazing on plant quantitative characteristics depended mainly on the age class.

Key words: Stipa bungeana, Lespedeza davurica, Artemisia capillaris, age class, plant character

Cheng-xia ZHANG, Le-ta WA, Xiao-ming MOU, Sheng-hua CHANG. Quantitative and nutrient characteristics of dominant species in different age classes on the Loess Plateau of Eastern Gansu[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023, 32(5): 61-70.

Figures/Tables 6

References 33

1	Zhang J H， Wang R Y， Li H Y， et al. Age structure of Leymus chinensis population modules in different habitats of Songnen Plain. Chinese Journal of Grassland， 2020， 42（4）： 73-78.
	张嘉恒，王柔懿，李海燕，等. 松嫩平原不同生境羊草种群构件的年龄结构. 中国草地学报， 2020， 42（4）： 73-78.
2	Yang Y F， Zheng H Y， Li J D. The effects of grazing on age structure in clonal populations of Agropyron michnoi. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica， 2001， 25（1）： 71-75.
	杨允菲，郑慧莹，李建东. 放牧干扰对根茎冰草无性系种群年龄结构的影响. 植物生态学报， 2001， 25（1）： 71-75.
3	Beck J J， Hernández D L， Pasari J R， et al. Grazing maintains native plant diversity and promotes community stability in an annual grassland. Ecological Applications， 2015， 25（5）： 1259-1270.
4	Yu Y W， Nan Z B， Hou F J. The effects of sheep urine on growing characteristics of different life form plants in a Chinese steppe grassland. Acta Ecologica Sinica， 2008， 28（5）： 2022-2030.
	于应文，南志标，侯扶江. 羊尿对典型草原不同生活型草地植物生长特性的影响. 生态学报， 2008， 28（5）： 2022-2030.
5	Wang X， Gu C， Wang Y T， et al. Response of stocking rates on the functional traits of Stipa breviflora desert steppe. Chinese Journal of Grassland， 2017， 39（6）： 40-46.
	王玺，古琛，王亚婷，等. 荒漠草原短花针茅茎叶功能性状对不同载畜率的响应. 中国草地学报， 2017， 39（6）： 40-46.
6	Shan Y M， Wen C， Chen H J， et al. The seasonal effect of grazing intensity on population height in desert steppe. Animal Husbandry and Feed Science， 2016， 37（5）： 19-22.
	单玉梅，温超，陈海军，等. 放牧强度对荒漠草原植物种群高度的季节性影响. 畜牧与饲料科学， 2016， 37（5）： 19-22.
7	Gu C， Zhao T Q， Wang Y T， et al. The response of growth and reproduction for Stipa breviflora to different stocking rates. Ecology and Environmental Sciences， 2017， 26（1）： 36-42.
	古琛，赵天启，王亚婷，等. 短花针茅生长和繁殖策略对载畜率的响应. 生态环境学报， 2017， 26（1）： 36-42.
8	Wang Y Q， Li B， Niu Z， et al. Effects of different grazing intensity on population characteristics and nutrients of Deyeuxia angustifolia meadow in the initial grazing stage. Chinese Journal of Grassland， 2015， 37（2）： 35-40.
	王彦庆，李冰，牛壮，等. 放牧强度对小叶章草甸始牧期种群特征和营养成分的影响. 中国草地学报， 2015， 37（2）： 35-40.
9	Dong Y Q， Sun Z J， An S Z， et al. Effect of grazing intensity on population characteristics and community diversity of Seriphidium transiliense. Acta Agrestia Sinica， 2016， 24（1）： 22-28.
	董乙强，孙宗玖，安沙舟，等. 放牧强度对伊犁绢蒿种群特征及其群落多样性的影响. 草地学报， 2016， 24（1）： 22-28.
10	Rabotnov T A. The life cycle of perennial herbaceous plants in meadow coenoses. Trudy Botanicheskogo Instituta Akademi Nauk SSSR， 1950， 3（6）： 197-204.
11	Yang Y F， Zheng H Y， Li J D. Comparative study on characters of two divergence types of the clone population Leymus chinensis in the Songnen Plain of China. Acta Botanica Sinica， 1997， 39（11）： 1058-1064.
	杨允菲，郑慧莹，李建东. 松嫩平原两个趋异类型羊草无性系种群特征的比较研究. 植物学报， 1997， 39（11）： 1058-1064.
12	An J， Wu L， Wang H J， et al. Structural and dynamic characteristics of Eremurus anisopterus populations in areas with different levels of disturbance. Acta Ecologica Sinica， 2017， 37（6）： 2023-2032.
	安静，吴玲，王海娟，等. 不同干扰程度下沙生植物异翅独尾草的种群结构与动态特征. 生态学报， 2017， 37（6）： 2023-2032.
13	Wang R Y， Sheng J， Jia J Q， et al. Age structure of Calamagrostis macrolepis var. rigidula population during vegetation restoration in coal ash storage pools. Acta Prataculturae Sinica， 2019， 28（1）： 180-187.
	王柔懿，盛军，贾竣棋，等. 通辽火电厂储灰池植被恢复过程中硬拂子茅种群构件的结构特征. 草业学报， 2019， 28（1）： 180-187.
14	Huo X W， Yun J F， Mi F G， et al. Advances in genetic transformation of forage. Journal of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University， 2006， 27（3）： 140-147.
	霍秀文，云锦凤，米福贵，等. 牧草生物技术研究进展. 内蒙古农业大学学报， 2006， 27（3）： 140-147.
15	Zhao D L， Starks P J， Brown M A， et al. Assessment of forage biomass and quality parameters of bermudagrass using proximal sensing of pasture canopy reflectance. Grassland Science， 2007， 53（1）： 39-49.
16	Shi Y， Ma Y L， Ma W H， et al. Large scale patterns of forage yield and quality across Chinese grasslands. Chinese Science Bulletin， 2013， 58（3）： 226-239.
	石岳，马殷雷，马文红，等. 中国草地的产草量和牧草品质：格局及其与环境因子之间的关系. 科学通报， 2013， 58（3）： 226-239.
17	Yao X X， Gong X Y， Bai B， et al. Study of grassland vegetation characteristics and soil nutrient and their correlation between different grassland types in alpine pastoral area of Qilian Mountains. Acta Agrestia Sinica， 2018， 26（2）： 371-379.
	姚喜喜，宫旭胤，白滨，等. 祁连山高寒牧区不同类型草地植被特征与土壤养分及其相关性研究. 草地学报， 2018， 26（2）： 371-379.
18	Wang S， Hu A， Zhang J， et al. Grazing season and stocking rate affect the role of the dung seed bank in seed dispersal on the semi-arid Loess Plateau. Rangeland Journal. 2019， 41： 405-413.
19	Bai Y F， Xu Z X， Li D X， et al. Study on age and bunch structure of four Stipa species in Inner Mongolia plateau. Acta Botanica Sinica， 1999， 41（10）： 1125-1131.
	白永飞，许志信，李德新，等. 内蒙古高原四种针茅种群年龄与株丛结构的研究. 植物学报， 1999， 41（10）： 1125-1131.
20	Yang S. Feed analysis and feed quality detection technology. Beijing： China Agricultural Press， 1999.
	杨胜. 饲料分析及饲料质量检测技术. 北京：中国农业出版社， 1999.
21	Lu R K. Soil agrochemical analysis methods. Beijing： China Agricultural Science and Technology Press， 2000.
	鲁如坤. 土壤农业化学分析方法. 北京：中国农业科学技术出版社， 2000.
22	McDonald P， Edwards R A， Greenhalgh J F D. Animal nutrition. Translated by Zhao Y B， Hu L H. Lanzhou： Gansu Nationalities Publishing House， 1992.
	McDonald P， Edwards R A， Greenhalgh J F D. 动物营养学. 赵义斌，胡令浩，译. 兰州：甘肃民族出版社， 1992.
23	Levin G G. Age changes in plants. Botanicheskij Zhurnal SSSR， 1966， 51： 1774-1795.
24	Vorontzova L I， Zaugolnova L B. Population biology of steppe plants. Dordrecht： Junk Publishers， 1985： 143-178.
25	Zhang D H， Yang L P， Zhang Z S. Numeric dynamics of Artemisia ordosica population under different habitats in southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. Journal of Desert Research， 2017， 37（5）： 75-83.
	张定海，杨丽萍，张志山. 腾格里沙漠东南缘不同生境油蒿种群的数量动态. 中国沙漠， 2017， 37（5）： 75-83.
26	Van S M A， Anten N P R. Differences in the compensatory growth of two co-occurring grass species in relation to water availability. Oecologia， 2005， 146： 190-199.
27	Zhao W， Chen S P， Lin G H. Compensatory growth responses to clipping defoliation in Leymus chinensis （Poaceae） under nutrient addition and water deficiency conditions. Plant Ecology， 2008， 196： 85-99.
28	Zhang R， Baskin J M， Baskin C C， et al. Effect of population， collection year， after-ripening and incubation condition on seed germination of Stipa bungeana. Scientific Reports， 2017， 7（1）： 13893.
29	Cao J F. Studies on chemical constituents of Artemisia capillaris//Proceedings of the 11th National Natural Organic Chemistry Academic Conference of Chinese Chemical Society （Volume Ⅱ）. Beijing： Chinese Chemical Society， 2016： 1.
	曹金凤. 茵陈蒿的化学成分研究//中国化学会第十一届全国天然有机化学学术会议论文集（第二册）. 北京：中国化学会， 2016： 1.
30	Long H Y， Zhang D， Zeng L P， et al. Herbage accumulation， and nitrogen and phosphorus absorption responses of three forage species following addition of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. Acta Prataculturae Sinica， 2019， 28（5）： 171-177.
	龙会英，张德，曾丽萍，等. 氮磷肥对3种牧草的生长效应和氮磷吸收的影响. 草业学报， 2019， 28（5）： 171-177.
31	He F Q， Chen D D， Li Q， et al. Temporal and spatial distribution of herbage nutrition in alpine grassland of Sanjiangyuan. Acta Ecologica Sinica， 2020， 40（18）： 6304-6313.
	贺福全，陈懂懂，李奇，等. 三江源高寒草地牧草营养时空分布. 生态学报， 2020， 40（18）： 6304-6313.
32	Abrahamson W G. On the comparative allocation of biomass， energy and nutrients in plants. Ecology， 1982， 63（4）： 982-991.
33	Xu T， Qi J， Pu X P， et al. Comparison of the yields and nutrients of seven forage species in Maqu County. Chinese Journal of Grassland， 2012， 34（3）： 113-116.
	许涛，祁娟，蒲小鹏，等. 甘南玛曲七种主要饲草营养价值比较. 中国草地学报， 2012， 34（3）： 113-116.

植物种 Species	年龄阶段 Age period	植株特征 Plant characteristics
长芒草 S. bungeana	幼龄期 Juvenile	种子萌发后形成具根系与叶片的独立植株称幼苗。幼苗通过无性繁殖产生数个分蘖，但株丛分蘖并未形成生殖枝。After seed germination， an independent plant with roots and leaves， the seedlings produced several tillers through asexual propagation， but the cluster tillers did not form reproductive branches.
	成年期 Reproductive	通过有性繁殖产生种子且株丛内部分蘖形成生殖枝，但中心并无死亡分蘖，未形成“空心”状态。Seeds are produced through sexual reproduction， and tillers in the cluster form reproductive branches， but there are no dead tillers in the center， which does not form a “hollow” state.
	老年前期 Presenile	株丛中央枝条因个体发育或缺少养分及水分而开始死亡，中央形成局部“空心”，且“空心”面积≤株丛总面积的1/2。The central branch of the cluster begins to die due to individual development or lack of nutrients and water， and a local “hollow” is formed in the center， and the “hollow” area is ≤1/2 of the total area of the cluster.
	老年期 Senile	“空心”面积≥株丛总面积1/2；有时，整个株丛被枯叶鞘分为几个“岛”状片段，株丛出现明显“破碎”现象。“Hollow” area ≥1/2 of the total area of cluster； Sometimes， the whole plant cluster is divided into several “island” segments by the dead leaf sheath， and the plant cluster appears obvious “fragmentation”.
达乌里胡枝子 L. davurica	幼龄期 Juvenile	种子萌发后形成具根系与枝条的独立植株，但株丛分枝并未形成生殖枝。After seed germination， independent plants with roots and branches were formed， but the branches of plant clusters did not form reproductive branches.
	成年期 Reproductive	通过有性繁殖产生分枝在株丛内部形成明显生殖枝，但株丛内部尚未形成点状或月牙形的“空心”。The branches produced by sexual reproduction form obvious reproductive branches in the plant cluster， but there is no point or crescent shaped “hollow” in the plant cluster.
	老年前期 Presenile	株丛内部枝条形成明显点状或月牙形等的“空心”。The internal branches of the plant cluster form obvious “hollow” in the shape of point or crescent.
	老年期Senile	株丛内部具1~数个“点”状或“岛”状的“空心”。There are one to several “point” or “island” shaped “hollow” in the cluster.
茵陈蒿 A. capillaris	幼龄期 Juvenile	种子萌发后形成具根系与枝条的独立植株。幼苗通过无性繁殖产生数个分枝，但株丛枝条并未形成生殖枝。After seed germination， an independent plant with roots and branches was formed. The seedlings produced several branches through asexual propagation， but the branches of the plant cluster did not form reproductive branches.
	成年期 Reproductive	通过有性繁殖产生分枝在株丛内部形成明显生殖枝，但株丛内部尚未形成点状或近圆形的“空心”。The branches produced by sexual reproduction form obvious reproductive branches in the plant cluster， but there is no point or nearly circular “hollow” in the plant cluster.
	老年前期Presenile	株丛内部形成明显的点状或近圆形的“空心”。Obvious “hollow” such as dot or near circle is formed in the cluster.
	老年期Senile	株丛内部具有1~数个“点”状或“近圆形”的“空心”。There are one to several dot or nearly round “hollow” in the cluster.

植物种 Species	年龄阶段 Age period	植株特征 Plant characteristics
长芒草 S. bungeana	幼龄期 Juvenile	种子萌发后形成具根系与叶片的独立植株称幼苗。幼苗通过无性繁殖产生数个分蘖，但株丛分蘖并未形成生殖枝。After seed germination， an independent plant with roots and leaves， the seedlings produced several tillers through asexual propagation， but the cluster tillers did not form reproductive branches.
	成年期 Reproductive	通过有性繁殖产生种子且株丛内部分蘖形成生殖枝，但中心并无死亡分蘖，未形成“空心”状态。Seeds are produced through sexual reproduction， and tillers in the cluster form reproductive branches， but there are no dead tillers in the center， which does not form a “hollow” state.
	老年前期 Presenile	株丛中央枝条因个体发育或缺少养分及水分而开始死亡，中央形成局部“空心”，且“空心”面积≤株丛总面积的1/2。The central branch of the cluster begins to die due to individual development or lack of nutrients and water， and a local “hollow” is formed in the center， and the “hollow” area is ≤1/2 of the total area of the cluster.
	老年期 Senile	“空心”面积≥株丛总面积1/2；有时，整个株丛被枯叶鞘分为几个“岛”状片段，株丛出现明显“破碎”现象。“Hollow” area ≥1/2 of the total area of cluster； Sometimes， the whole plant cluster is divided into several “island” segments by the dead leaf sheath， and the plant cluster appears obvious “fragmentation”.
达乌里胡枝子 L. davurica	幼龄期 Juvenile	种子萌发后形成具根系与枝条的独立植株，但株丛分枝并未形成生殖枝。After seed germination， independent plants with roots and branches were formed， but the branches of plant clusters did not form reproductive branches.
	成年期 Reproductive	通过有性繁殖产生分枝在株丛内部形成明显生殖枝，但株丛内部尚未形成点状或月牙形的“空心”。The branches produced by sexual reproduction form obvious reproductive branches in the plant cluster， but there is no point or crescent shaped “hollow” in the plant cluster.
	老年前期 Presenile	株丛内部枝条形成明显点状或月牙形等的“空心”。The internal branches of the plant cluster form obvious “hollow” in the shape of point or crescent.
	老年期Senile	株丛内部具1~数个“点”状或“岛”状的“空心”。There are one to several “point” or “island” shaped “hollow” in the cluster.
茵陈蒿 A. capillaris	幼龄期 Juvenile	种子萌发后形成具根系与枝条的独立植株。幼苗通过无性繁殖产生数个分枝，但株丛枝条并未形成生殖枝。After seed germination， an independent plant with roots and branches was formed. The seedlings produced several branches through asexual propagation， but the branches of the plant cluster did not form reproductive branches.
	成年期 Reproductive	通过有性繁殖产生分枝在株丛内部形成明显生殖枝，但株丛内部尚未形成点状或近圆形的“空心”。The branches produced by sexual reproduction form obvious reproductive branches in the plant cluster， but there is no point or nearly circular “hollow” in the plant cluster.
	老年前期Presenile	株丛内部形成明显的点状或近圆形的“空心”。Obvious “hollow” such as dot or near circle is formed in the cluster.
	老年期Senile	株丛内部具有1~数个“点”状或“近圆形”的“空心”。There are one to several dot or nearly round “hollow” in the cluster.

项目 Item	株高 Plant height	冠幅 Crown width	基径 Base diameter	分蘖/枝数 Tillers/branches number	单株重 Single plant weight	分蘖/枝重 Tillers/branches weight
植物Species	**	***	***	***	***	***
龄级Age class	**	***	***	**	ns	ns
放牧年限Grazing duration	*	**	**	*	-	-
植物×龄级Species×age class	**	***	***	***	**	ns
植物×放牧年限Species×grazing duration	***	***	***	***	-	-
龄级×放牧年限Age class×grazing duration	*	**	**	***	-	-
植物×龄级×放牧年限Species×age class×grazing duration	***	***	***	***	-	-

项目 Item	株高 Plant height	冠幅 Crown width	基径 Base diameter	分蘖/枝数 Tillers/branches number	单株重 Single plant weight	分蘖/枝重 Tillers/branches weight
植物Species	**	***	***	***	***	***
龄级Age class	**	***	***	**	ns	ns
放牧年限Grazing duration	*	**	**	*	-	-
植物×龄级Species×age class	**	***	***	***	**	ns
植物×放牧年限Species×grazing duration	***	***	***	***	-	-
龄级×放牧年限Age class×grazing duration	*	**	**	***	-	-
植物×龄级×放牧年限Species×age class×grazing duration	***	***	***	***	-	-

项目 Item	磷P （mg·g^-1）	钙Ca （mg·g^-1）	钠Na （mg·g^-1）	钾K （mg·g^-1）	镁Mg （mg·g^-1）	铁Fe （mg·kg^-1）	铜Cu （mg·kg^-1）	锰Mn （mg·kg^-1）	锌Zn （mg·kg^-1）
长芒草S. bungeana
幼龄期Juvenile	0.08±0.003b	3.40±0.04a	0.57±0.04a	7.14±0.27a	1.24±0.05a	0.74±0.05a	2.91±0.29a	0.04±0.001a	0.03±0.02a
成年期Reproductive	0.10±0.006a	3.53±0.12a	1.30±0.12a	7.01±0.12a	1.34±0.03a	0.79±0.04a	2.08±0.48a	0.03±0.001a	0.01±0.00a
老年前期+老年期 Presenile and senile	0.10±0.003a	3.41±0.11a	1.54±0.11a	6.12±0.27b	1.40±0.07a	1.13±0.04a	2.34±0.14a	0.03±0.001a	0.01±0.00a
达乌里胡枝子L. davurica
幼龄期Juvenile	0.15±0.01a	13.91±0.37a	1.14±0.60a	11.07±0.38a	5.15±0.15a	0.94±0.13a	3.01±0.69a	0.08±0.001a	0.03±0.01a
成年期Reproductive	0.13±0.01b	11.92±0.50b	0.98±0.49a	9.83±0.20ab	4.45±0.08b	0.64±0.10a	2.88±0.45a	0.06±0.001b	0.03±0.01a
老年前期+老年期 Presenile and senile	0.12±0.00b	10.32±0.61b	0.62±0.44a	8.94±0.32b	3.71±0.17c	0.64±0.05a	2.83±0.74a	0.05±0.001b	0.02±0.00a
茵陈蒿A. capillaris
幼龄期Juvenile	0.17±0.01a	12.44±0.70a	0.14±0.04a	23.51±1.37a	5.09±0.23a	1.07±0.19a	17.06±1.49a	0.08±0.001a	0.03±0.001a
成年期Reproductive	0.14±0.00b	9.72±0.52b	0.15±0.10a	19.70±2.36ab	3.85±0.21b	0.75±0.07a	11.55±1.22b	0.06±0.001b	0.03±0.010a
老年前期+老年期 Presenile and senile	0.13±0.00c	9.18±0.12b	0.18±0.08a	16.15±0.52b	3.66±0.31b	0.71±0.06a	11.30±1.07b	0.05±0.001b	0.05±0.010a
植物Species	***	***	ns	***	***	ns	***	***	ns
龄级Age class	***	***	ns	***	***	ns	***	***	ns
植物×龄级 Species×age class	***	***	ns	*	***	**	**	**	ns