Carbohydrate Reserve Content of Mountain Range Plants Following Defoliation and Regrowth

Abstract

Following the establishment of a curve for carbohydrate reserve levels in the roots of six native range plants in relation to phenological development, the effect of heavy clipping at the time of carbohydrate low and carbohydrate high was studied. The carbohydrate reserves in all species except senecio were significantly affected by defoliation treatment. Results indicated that defoliation of grasses and forbs early in the season was more detrimental than defoliation late in the season, but defoliation of browse late in the season appeared to lower reserves more than early defoliation.