Coastal Bermudagrass, Bahiagrass, and Native Range Simulation at Diverse Sites in Texas

Effective comparisons of natural grasslands and improved pasture require a robust model for plant growth, soil water balance, runoff, soil erosion, and climatic impacts. Our first objective was to develop plant parameters in the field that enabled the ALMANAC model to simulate growth of coastal berm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agronomy journal 2007-03, Vol.99 (2), p.450-461
Main Authors: Kiniry, J.R, Burson, B.L, Evers, G.W, Williams, J.R, Sanchez, H, Wade, C, Featherston, J.W, Greenwade, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
agricultural runoff
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
climatic factors
Cynodon dactylon
dry matter accumulation
forage crops
forage grasses
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics and breeding of economic plants
grasslands
indigenous species
leaf area
light interception
model validation
nitrogen content
Panicum virgatum
Paspalum notatum
pastures
plant growth
radiation use efficiency
range management
simulation models
soil erosion
soil water balance
species differences
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Summary:Effective comparisons of natural grasslands and improved pasture require a robust model for plant growth, soil water balance, runoff, soil erosion, and climatic impacts. Our first objective was to develop plant parameters in the field that enabled the ALMANAC model to simulate growth of coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge var saurae Parodi), and some common native, warm-season grasses. Parameters included leaf area, light interception, biomass growth, and nitrogen concentration. The maximum leaf area index values of coastal bermudagrass and bahiagrass were near 2.2. Those for native grasses other than switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were much less. Mean values for light extinction coefficient ranged from 0.7 to 2.1. Radiation use efficiency values for four of the five measured grass species were between 1.0 and 2.0 g MJ-1. Grass [N] values showed similar patterns of seasonal change among species. Our second objective was to use these grass parameters to simulate biomass production of coastal bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and some native grasses on representative soils in several counties in a number of regions of Texas. Counties and soils that were simulated represented a diversity of sites in Texas where improved grasses and native grasses are grown. The ALMANAC model reasonably simulated biomass means and SDs for native grasses, coastal bermudagrass, and bahiagrass. The model is a realistic tool to simulate effects of soil type and weather on native and improved grass productivity on such diverse sites.
ISSN:0002-1962
1435-0645
DOI:10.2134/agronj2006.0119