Response of Muhlenbergia porteri Scribn. to Season of Defoliation

Abstract

Removing 65% of the leaf area of bush muhly in three consecutive years during the growing season reduced plant vigor regardless of season of clipping. Late or continuous season defoliation had the greatest impact on food reserves, production, crown diameter and number of stem internodes. Defoliation during the vegetative stage had the least effect of the clipping treatments.