Plant Response to Grazing Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT K. Launchbaugh Plant Response to Grazing USDA – Scott Bauer Tim Pearce (Flickr) Rangeland Principles (REM 151) There are 16 slides in this presentation

Plants use to strategies 1) Defend yourself to AVOID being grazed 2) Be able to survive and TOLERATE grazing Avoid Tolerate NPS.Gov

Avoid – Thorns, Spines & Awns Slow down intake Cause pain

Avoid – Toxins and Anti-Quality Kill animal Make animal sick Cause pain Jennifer Peterson Sheri Hagwood - BLM K. Launchbuagh NPS.gov

Tolerate Defoliation Ability to tolerate depends on: Location of Growth Points Resources for recovery Carbohydrates (energy for growth)

Location of Growing Points Meristem Meristem Keep meristems out of reach… Meristem is the tissue that is actively dividing cells. Some are added to the roots but most of them are added to the region of elongation. Meristems = growth points for new leaves and stems

Location of Growing Points Location depends on the season Early in the growing season: close to the ground and protected. As the season progresses: elevates and subject to removal. For grasses, when you’re applying a management practice, you must be aware of the morphology of the plants in the community being treated. Grasses with growing points at the base are more resistant to fire and grazing.

Location of Growing Points Growing point present…growth continues If removed…growth stops and new growth initiates from buds Plant response depends on location of growing points.

Resources for Recovers SPRING better than FALL MOIST better than DRY

Carbohydrates (Energy) for Regrowth Growing Season Leaves photosynthesize and create energy Some energy stored in roots Jen Peterson

Carbohydrates (Energy) for Regrowth Dormant Season Jen Peterson Univ .of Nevada Coop. Ext.

Plant Response to Grazing Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT K. Launchbaugh Plant Response to Grazing USDA – Scott Bauer Tim Pearce (Flickr) Rangeland Principles (REM 151) There are 16 slides in this presentation