Hu FL^1,2, B Liu^1,3, ZM Liu^1,3, YT Fang^1,3, CA Busso⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 209-221, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.209

Abstract Grasslands are one of the most widespread landscapes worldwide, covering approximately one-fifth of the world’s land surface, where grazing is a common practice. How carbon storage responds to grazing in steppes remains poorly understood. We quantified the effects of grazing on community composition and species diversity, and carbon storage in two typical grasslands of northeastern China, one in Horqin and the other one in Hulunbeier. In both grasslands, grazing did not influence plant species diversity. However, it substantially decreased aboveground carbon by 31% and 54% in Horqin and Hulunbeier, respectively. Fenced and grazing treatments showed a similar belowground carbon at… More >

Blazquez FR^1,2,3, DV Peláez^1,3,4, RJ Andrioli¹, OR Elia^1,2,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 397-405, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.397

Abstract The interaction between woody and grass species in semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina was assessed through the evaluation of the impact of woody species on grass growth over a 2-y period. The study comprised two morpho-physiologically different woody species and two cool-season perennial grass species highly preferred by domestic livestock. The study involved the assessment of total green length (TGL) and number of green leaves (NGL) per tiller in grasses growing beneath the canopy of woody species and in open rangeland areas. Soil temperature, pH and water, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter content were estimated at the same study sites.… More >

Torres¹ YA, MA Long², SM Zalba¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.77, pp. 225-240, 2008, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2008.77.225

Abstract The objective of this work is to contribute to the biology of Pavonia cymbalaria A. St. Hil & Naudin (Malvaceae), a native species of the Southern mountains of Buenos Aires Province. This knowledge will contribute to (1) promote its use as an ornamental species, (2) its conservation and (3) stimulate the interest and public valuation of mountain systems biodiversity. Seven populations of P. cymbalaria were selected. Two of them were growing under Pinus halepensis forests to characterize different environments were the herbaceous species is growing in the wild. Environmental characteristics immediately associated to six individuals of the species were studied… More >

Ithurrart LS^1,2, CA Busso^1,2, YA Torres^1,3, DV Peláez^1,2,3, H Giorgetti⁴, G Rodríguez⁴, ML Ambrosino^2,5

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 51-59, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.051

Abstract Plant competition for soil resources is common in semiarid rangelands. Plants have various, alternative mechanisms to deal with soil resource acquisition. They include (1) length, weight and proliferation of roots, (2) root length density, and (3) root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhiza. In rangelands of Argentina, plants are exposed to herbivory after natural fires. As a result, knowledge on how these disturbances impact root traits is important for outlining guidelines focused on rangeland management and improvement. Our aim was to analyze the effects of defoliation after a controlled burning on root traits (1) to (3) on two preferred (Poa ligularis and… More >