Frankow-Lindberg, Bodil E. and Brophy, Caroline and Collins, R.P. and Connolly, John
(2009)
Biodiversity effects on yield and unsown species invasion in a temperate forage ecosystem.
Annals of Botany, 103 (6).
pp. 913-921.
ISSN 0305-7364
Abstract
Background and Aims: Current agricultural practices are based on growing monocultures or binary mixtures over
large areas, with a resultant impoverishing effect on biodiversity at several trophic levels. The effects of increasing
the biodiversity of a sward mixture on dry matter yield and unsown species invasion were studied.
Methods: A field experiment involving four grassland species [two grasses – perennial ryegrass (Lolium
perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) – and two legumes – red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white
clover (Trifolium repens)], grown in monocultures and mixtures in accordance with a simplex design, was
carried out. The legumes were included either as single varieties or as one of two broad genetic-base composites.
The experiment was harvested three times a year over three years; dry matter yield and yield of unsown species
were determined at each harvest. Yields of individual species and interactions between all species present were
estimated through a statistical modelling approach.
Key Results:Species diversity produced a strong positive yield effect that resulted in transgressive over-yielding
in the second and third years. Using broad genetic-base composites of the legumes had a small impact on yield
and species interactions. Invasion by unsown species was strongly reduced by species diversity, but species identity
was also important. Cocksfoot and white clover (with the exception of one broad genetic-base composite)
reduced invasion, while red clover was the most invaded species.
Conclusions: The results show that it is possible to increase, and stabilize, the yield of a grassland crop and
reduce invasion by unsown species by increasing its species diversity.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Additional Information: |
Cite as: Frankow-Lindberg BE, Brophy C, Collins RP, Connolly J. Biodiversity effects on yield and unsown species invasion in a temperate forage ecosystem. Annals of Botany. 2009;103(6):913-921. doi:10.1093/aob/mcp008. |
| Keywords: |
Cocksfoot; Dactylis glomerata; diversity effect; invasion; legumes; perennial ryegrass; Lolium
perenne; red clover; Trifolium pratense; simplex design; statistical modelling; transgressive over-yielding;
white clover; T. repens; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Mathematics and Statistics |
| Item ID: |
10136 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcp008 |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. Caroline Brophy
|
| Date Deposited: |
22 Oct 2018 15:56 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Annals of Botany |
| Publisher: |
Oxford University Press |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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