Great Plains Natural Science Society
Date of this Version
6-2012
Document Type
Article
Citation
The Prairie Naturalist 45:4–12; 2013
Abstract
Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) is a native perennial forb that can form dense clonal patches and become weedy in pastures of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion. Our objectives were to determine 1) the competitive effects between Canada goldenrod and grass, 2) the relationship between Canada goldenrod stem density and grass biomass, and 3) the distribution of Canada goldenrod stem density at the pasture scale. We used regression analysis to develop a relationship between Canada goldenrod stem density and grass biomass. Additionally, we estimated the frequency distribution of Canada goldenrod stem density categories using three evenly distributed 100 × 100-m sampling grids across the pasture at each site. Canada goldenrod biomass increased as a result of grass removal by clipping whereas grass biomass did not change. Our results indicate that Canada goldenrod was released from competition but perhaps the grass was still being influenced by the root/rhizome system of Canada goldenrod. Approximately 70% of plots (n = 600) had <10 stems m-2 and dense stands (>100 stems m-2) occurred in <0.3% of sampled plots. Our findings give producers and managers a tool to make better estimates of the impact of Canada goldenrod on grass productivity in pastures in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion.
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Comments
Published by the Great Plains Natural Science Society. Used by permission.