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Influence of Woody Species on Aboveground Biomass Production and Quality of Two Perennial Grasses in Semi-arid Rangelands of Central Argentina

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Abstract—

Woody species can exert positive, neutral or negative influence on the growth of neighbouring grass species. The objective of this work was to assess the impact of woody species (Prosopis caldenia and Larrea divaricata) on aboveground biomass production and quality of perennial grasses (Piptochaetium napostaense and Nassella clarazii). Overall, aboveground biomass production of P. napostaense was higher in the area of influence of L. divaricata while that of N. clarazii was higher in the area of influence of P. caldenia. In general, P. napostaense showed higher, while N. clarazii showed lower, values of aboveground biomass production when beneath the canopy of each woody species. At the end of the vegetative growing period, crude protein content (CP) of grass species was lower beneath the canopy of woody species than in open areas; the only exception being N. clarazii in the area of influence of P. caldenia where no differences were found. No differences were found in CP content between any of the experimental locations at the end of the reproductive growing period. In general, in vitro digestibility was lower within the area of influence of P. caldenia than of L. divaricata for both growing periods. The results of the present study suggest that the impact of woody species on aboveground biomass production and quality are species-specific in semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina and highlight the need of further research in order to prescribe sound and generalized shrub management policies.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was funded by Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), and Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Blazquez Francisco Rubén, Daniel Valerio Peláez, Romina Jessica Andrioli & Omar Raúl Elia

  2. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Daniel Valerio Peláez

  3. Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Omar Raúl Elia

  4. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Daniel Valerio Peláez & Omar Raúl Elia

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  1. Blazquez Francisco Rubén
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Blazquez Francisco Rubén, Peláez, D.V., Andrioli, R.J. et al. Influence of Woody Species on Aboveground Biomass Production and Quality of Two Perennial Grasses in Semi-arid Rangelands of Central Argentina. Russ J Ecol 51, 90–98 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1067413620010105

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