The competitive activity of ligneus species (Rubus constrictus, Ulex europaeus and Aristotelia chilensis) on gramineous Agrostis castellana and Arrhenatherurn elatius var. bulbosum is studied in three volcanic soils (Trumao, Red day and Alluvial). All these species are very aggressive weeds co-existing in several prairie communities in the south of Chile.
Pure and mixed(shrub and grass) crops in earthenware flowerpots were used. These crops were kept for 449 days and grass growing was controUed four times by cutting the aerial part of the plant and determining the dryweight. By the end of the assay the dry weight of the roots was also determined.
In purecrops, grass grew more on Alluvial soils but considering all three types of soil Agrostis castellana grew the mosto Rubus constrictus fostered grass growing in all three soils. Ulex europaeus inhibited grass growing only in Alluvial soils. Aristotelia chilensis inhibited only Agrostis castellana growing in Alluvial soils. In general, under the conditions outlined above, there was no clear negative competitive activity of shrubs on grass, except for the ones mentioned above.
The ratio dry weight stem/dry weight root was markedly lower in all mixed crops with Aristotelia chilensis.
These results are summarized, platted, and extensively discussed in the text. |
ChileanJAR
