Abstract
Measurements were made of the seed set, seed content in cattle faeces, soil seed reserves, seedling regeneration and seedling survival of Siratro (Macroptilurn atropurpureum) in south-east Queensland. Measurements were made from 1972 to 1985 in pastures of Siratro/setaria (Setaria sphacelata) sown in 1968 and stocked at 1.1, 1.7 and 2.3 and at 3.0 (1969-1973) reduced to 2.0 (1974-1985) heifers ha-1. Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate. At the highest stocking rate, Siratro yields were low and seed input ceased after 1972, yet appreciable seedling recruitment from the soil seed bank was maintained for a further 10 years. At the lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1), seed set and soil seed reserves were highest, but seedling recruitment was of little importance as almost all seedlings died. Seedling recruitment and survival were best at an intermediate stocking rate (1.7 heifers ha-1), where they were the key to long-term persistence of Siratro. Soil seed reserves of Siratro ranged from 500 m-2 under light stocking to < 100 m-2 after several years of heavy stocking. Very little seed was recovered in cattle faeces. Likely factors responsible for seedling death (light, water, nutrients, grazing, frosting and insect damage) are discussed. The limitations of seed set and seedling regeneration in the persistence of Siratro are contrasted with some other perennial pasture legumes. Studies of this type can help in qualitatively predicting long-term persistence of pasture legumes under different conditions of management and climate.
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Claims 13
Claim · model-written summary
Stocking rate markedly affected Siratro seed set and seedling demography.
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e1“Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate”
Claim · model-written summary
At the highest stocking rate, Siratro yields were low.
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e2“At the highest stocking rate, Siratro yields were low and seed input ceased after 1972”
e1“Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate”
Claim · model-written summary
At the highest stocking rate, seed input ceased after 1972.
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e2“At the highest stocking rate, Siratro yields were low and seed input ceased after 1972”
Claim · model-written summary
Seedling recruitment from the soil seed bank was appreciable and maintained for a further 10 years at the highest stocking rate.
- Taxon
- Siratroe2
- Treatment
- highest stocking ratee2
- Outcome
- seedling recruitment from the soil seed banke3
- Qualifier
- maintained for a further 10 yearse3
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e2“At the highest stocking rate, Siratro yields were low and seed input ceased after 1972”
e3“yet appreciable seedling recruitment from the soil seed bank was maintained for a further 10 years”
Claim · model-written summary
Seed set and soil seed reserves were highest at the lightest stocking rate.
- Taxon
- Siratroe1
- Treatment
- lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1)e4
- Outcome
- seed set and soil seed reservese4
- Direction
- higheste4
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e4“At the lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1), seed set and soil seed reserves were highest”
e1“Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate”
Claim · model-written summary
Seedling recruitment was of little importance at the lightest stocking rate.
- Taxon
- Siratroe1
- Treatment
- lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1)e4
- Outcome
- seedling recruitmente5
- Qualifier
- of little importancee5
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e4“At the lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1), seed set and soil seed reserves were highest”
e5“seedling recruitment was of little importance as almost all seedlings died”
e1“Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate”
Claim · model-written summary
Almost all seedlings died at the lightest stocking rate.
- Taxon
- Siratroe1
- Treatment
- lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1)e4
- Outcome
- seedlings diede5
- Qualifier
- almost alle5
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e4“At the lightest stocking rate (1.1 heifers ha-1), seed set and soil seed reserves were highest”
e5“seedling recruitment was of little importance as almost all seedlings died”
e1“Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate”
Claim · model-written summary
Seedling recruitment and survival were best at the intermediate stocking rate.
- Taxon
- Siratroe6
- Treatment
- intermediate stocking rate (1.7 heifers ha-1)e6
- Outcome
- Seedling recruitment and survivale6
- Direction
- beste6
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e6“Seedling recruitment and survival were best at an intermediate stocking rate (1.7 heifers ha-1), where they were the key to long-term persistence of Siratro”
Claim · model-written summary
Seedling recruitment and survival were the key to long-term persistence of Siratro.
Verbatim
e6“Seedling recruitment and survival were best at an intermediate stocking rate (1.7 heifers ha-1), where they were the key to long-term persistence of Siratro”
Claim · model-written summary
Soil seed reserves of Siratro were about 500 m-2 under light stocking.
Verbatim
e7“Soil seed reserves of Siratro ranged from 500 m-2 under light stocking to < 100 m-2 after several years of heavy stocking”
Claim · model-written summary
Soil seed reserves of Siratro were below 100 m-2 after several years of heavy stocking.
Verbatim
e7“Soil seed reserves of Siratro ranged from 500 m-2 under light stocking to < 100 m-2 after several years of heavy stocking”
Claim · model-written summary
Very little Siratro seed was recovered in cattle faeces.
Verbatim
e2“Very little seed was recovered in cattle faeces”
e1“Siratro seed set and seedling demography were markedly affected by stocking rate”
Claim · model-written summary
Studies of this type can help in qualitatively predicting long-term persistence of pasture legumes.
Verbatim
e2“Studies of this type can help in qualitatively predicting long-term persistence of pasture legumes under different conditions of management and climate”