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The ability of 16 calcareous grassland species to establish in competition with adult neighbours of two different growth forms was assessed in a glasshouse experiment. The questions asked were: (1) how well is establishment ability related to plant traits such as seed mass, DNA content, relative growth rate and adult height; and (2) are the results consistent across different neighbours? Two measures of establishment ability were calculated, survival relative yield and biomass relative yield, for seedlings grown with a dicot. (Leontodon hispidus) and with a graminoid (Festuca ovina). The results depended on which measure of establishment ability was used. When establishment ability was measured in terms of biomass relative yield, seed mass was a good predictive trait, accounting for 38–55% of variation. However, when establishment ability was measured as survival relative yield, adult height was found to be the best predictor, capable of accounting for 20% of variation, although this was not consistent across neighbours. Thus, no clear relationship between plant traits and establishment ability was found: results depended on the measure of establishment ability used, and in the case of adult height, on the identity of the neighbour species. Survival relative yield was strongly associated with target and neighbour species growth form type, with stronger suppression of like than of non-like growth forms. The lack of strong relationships between plant traits and establishment ability, and the dependence on neighbour identity, suggests that the links between plant traits and establishment might be context-dependent; thus an understanding of the mechanisms underlying any such links is essential.

To clarify the role of seasonal change, competitive response and nutrient availability in the competitive asymmetry of grassland species a competition experiment was conducted on Holcus lanatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Festuca ovina, which represent a successional sequence of decreasing nutrient availability. Seven harvests were taken over two growing seasons. At each harvest the dry weight of plant parts, dead leaves, leaf area and plant height were measured. Three key traits that determine the successional status of the species were studied: specific leaf area, specific shoot height, and dead leaf fraction. The response of these traits to competition appeared to be limited and insufficient to change the competitive relations in the experiment. However, all three traits showed marked seasonal changes which resulted in superior growth and survival in winter of the species adapted to nutrient-poor environments. The findings support the theory that competitive asymmetry increases at higher nutrient levels. It is postulated that the directionality of light makes it possible for the dominant species to monopolize this resource more easily than nutrients. [KEYWORDS: biomass turnover; competitive asymmetry; competitive response; seasonal change; specific leaf area; specific shoot height; succession Relative growth-rate; experimental gradient; plant; allocation; root; availability; plasticity; nitrogen; light; leaf]

Uptake by roots from contaminated soil is one of the key steps in the entry of radiocaesium into the food chain. We have measured the uptake by roots of radiocaesium and its transfer to shoots of a heathland grass, sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) from two contrasting agricultural soils, a sandy podzol and a clayey calcareous soil. A culture device which keeps the roots separate from the soil was used thus allowing rhizosphere soil to be obtained easily and enhancing the effect of root action. Biomass production and 137Cs in shoots and roots were recorded. Cs adsorption was studied on both the initial, nonrhizosphere soil and on rhizosphere soil in dilute soil suspension. Cs desorption was measured by resuspending subsamples of contaminated soil in solutions containing various concentrations of stable Cs. The proportion of Cs fixed, i.e. not readily desorbable, was calculated by comparison of the adsorption and desorption isotherms. Uptake by roots varied considerably between soils and did not appear to be diffusion limited. Root-to-shoot transfer did not differ for the two soils studied. Root action considerably enhanced Cs adsorption on the soils, particularly the in sandy podzol with a low Cs affinity. The value of Kd was increased by up to an order of magnitude. A large proportion of adsorbed Cs was found to be fixed, the Kd was up to seven times greater on desorption than adsorption, indicating that up to 80% of adsorbed Cs was not readily exchangeable. Root action had little effect on the fixed fraction.

In this paper we address the question why slow-growing grass species appear to take up nitrate with greater respiratory costs than do fast-growing grasses when all plants are grown with free access to nutrients. Specific costs for nitrate transport, expressed as moles of ATP per net mole of nitrate taken up, were 1.5 to 4 times higher in slow-growing grasses than in fast-growing ones (Scheurwater et al., 1998, Plant, Cell & Environ. 21, 995–1005). The net rate of nitrate uptake is determined by two opposing nitrate fluxes across the plasma membrane: influx and efflux. To test whether differences in specific costs for nitrate transport are due to differences in the ratio of nitrate influx to net rate of nitrate uptake, nitrate influx and the net rate of nitrate uptake were measured in the roots of two fast-growing ( Dactylis glomerata L. and Holcus lanatus L.) and two slow-growing (Deschampsia flexuosa L. and Festuca ovina L.) grass species at four points during the diurnal cycle, using 15NO3 -. Efflux was calculated by subtraction of net uptake from influx; it was assumed that efflux of nitrogen represents the flux of nitrate. Transfer of the plants to the solution containing the labelled nitrate did not significantly affect nitrate uptake in the present grass species. The net rate of nitrate uptake was highest during the middle of the light period in all species. Diurnal variation in the net rate of nitrate uptake was mostly due to variation in nitrate influx. Variation in nitrate efflux did not occur in all species, but efflux per net mole of nitrate taken up was higher during darkness than in the light in the slow-growing grasses. The two fast-growing species, however, did not show diurnal variation in the ratio of efflux to net nitrate uptake. Integrated over 24 hours, the slow-growing grasses clearly exhibited higher ratios of influx to net uptake than the fast-growing grass species. Our results indicate that the higher ratio of nitrate influx to net nitrate uptake can account for higher specific costs for nitrate transport in slow-growing grass species compared with those in their fast-growing counterparts, possibly in combination with greater activity of the non-phosphorylating alternative respiratory path. Therefore, under our experimental conditions with plants grown at a non-limiting nitrate supply, nitrate uptake is less efficient (from the point of ATP consumption) in slow-growing grasses than in fast-growing grass species.

1. The potential of naturally pyritic peat as a soil amendment for the reconstruction of lowland heath on land with a long history of arable cultivation was investigated in a factorial, field experiment. Peat was incorporated to a depth of 0·5 m at 50% and 75% by volume; a third treatment had a 0·1-m blanket of peat overlaying a 75% mixture, and unamended soil was the control. Half of each treatment plot was sown with forage-harvested brashings of Calluna vulgaris and the other half with acidophilic grasses (Agrostis capillaris, Festuca ovina, Deschampsia flexuosa). 2. Peat-treated plots acidified rapidly to pH 2·5–3·5, depending on the proportion of peat, whereas the control soil remained at pH 6·0–7·0. After 5 years the pH of the treated plots had risen slightly and was stable at between 3 and 4. There was considerable spatial variability in all peat incorporation treatments. 3. High densities of C. vulgaris established in the first summer on both peat mixtures, especially the 50% peat, but densities were very low on the peat blanket and control soil. The growth of the largest individual plants was as good on the peat blanket as on the mixtures but was generally poor on the control soil. However, the development of cover was much more rapid on both mixtures (approaching 50% after 5 years) than on either the peat blanket or control soils. Calluna vulgaris flowered well on all peat treatments from the second summer (1994). Various measures of performance of C. vulgaris, considered across treatments, showed optima at around pH 3–4. 4. On the grass subplots, Agrostis capillaris became dominant, reaching very high cover on 50% peat and control soil. Festuca ovina occupied the less acid areas within treatments, and Deschampsia flexuosa increased steadily in cover on particularly acid areas (10% cover by 1996 on the peat blanket). 5. Pioneer annual weeds were replaced by persistent perennial weeds, particularly in C. vulgaris subplots. Their establishment was probably facilitated by lack of competition, together with fertile pockets and channels resulting from imperfect mixing of the peat. Regular cutting above the C. vulgaris canopy was necessary to control the spread of Cirsium arvense, Agrostis gigantea, Rubus fruticosus, Urtica dioica and Betula pendula. Rubus fruticosus and U. dioica invaded even the extremely acid peat blanket. 6. Pyritic peat can be used to create soil conditions suitable for the rapid establishment of heathland species. Grazing, cutting and ‘weed-wiped’ herbicides would probably be necessary to control persistent, acid-tolerant weeds in the management of vegetational development.

Herbaceous plants grown with free access to nutrients exhibit inherent differences in maximum relative growth rate (RGR) and rate of nutrient uptake. Measured rates of root respiration are higher in fast-growing species than in slow-growing ones. Fast-growing herbaceous species, however, exhibit lower rates of respiration than would be expected from their high rates of growth and nitrate uptake. We investigated why the difference in root O 2 uptake between fast- and slow-growing species is relatively small. Inhibition of respiration by the build-up of CO2 in closed cuvettes, diurnal variation in respiration rates or an increasing ratio of respiratory CO 2 release to O2 uptake (RQ) with increasing RGR failed to explain the relatively low root respiration rates in fast-growing grasses. Furthermore, differences in alternative pathway activity can at most only partly explain why the difference in root respiration between fast- and slow-growing grasses is relatively small. Although specific respiratory costs for maintenance of biomass are slightly higher in the fast-growing Dactylis glomerata L. than those in the slowgrowing Festuca ovina L., they account for 50% of total root respiration in both species. The specific respiratory costs for ion uptake in the fast-growing grass are onethird of those in the slow-growing grass [0·41 versus 1·22 mol O 2 mol (NO3 ‐ ) ‐1 ]. We conclude that this is the major cause of the relatively low rates of root respiration in fast-growing grasses.

Structural aspects of the leaves of two common festucoids,Festuca ovina andPoa sphondylodes, have been examined employing the electron microscopy. The nature of vascular bundles and of sheaths that surround vascular tissues was discussed in the study. The festucoids exhibited a non-Kranz C-3 anatomy with more than four mesophyll cells separating the bundle sheaths of a leaf blade. Vascular tissues in theseFestuca andPoa leaves were surrounded by a double sheath: an inner distinct mestome sheath (MST) and an outer indistinctive layer of parenchymatous bundle sheath (PBS) cells. The PBS cells were much larger than the MST and had thin walls. The MST cells were relatively small and rectangular inP. sphondylodes and more or less hexangular in transverse sections ofF. ovina. InP. sphondylodes, MST had conspicuously thickened inner tangential walls with asymmetrically uninterrupted suberized lamellae in radial and tangential walls. In most differentiated MST cells, all walls were highly suberized. During suberin deposition, MST cells were quite vacuolated and most of the cytoplasm was present as a thin peripheral layer. However, MST walls inF. ovina revealed very thin suberized lamellae with translucent striations. No chloroplasts were detected inP. sphondylodes, whereas the MST inF. ovina contained small chloroplasts. Plasmodesmata were well developed in the primary pit fields of walls between MST and vascular cells, and between adjacent MST cells. Plasmodesmata were less frequent in the walls between the inner and outer sheath cells. Suberized lamellae were totally absent from the PBS cell walls in all veins. External to the PBS, the mesophyll comprised thin walled cells with abundant intercellular spaces. Peripherally arranged chloroplasts in the mesophyll were numerous and often larger than those of PBS and MST cells. Characteristics associated with C-3 and other ultrastructural features were also discussed in the study.

Almost all natural plant communities contain arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We hypothesized that the species composition of AMF communities could have the potential to determine plant community structure if the growth response to different AMF species or to communities of AMF species varies among plant species. To test the existence of such a differential response we conducted a pot experiment where each of three plant species, Hieracium pilosella, Bromus erectus, and Festuca ovina were inoculated with each of four AMF species, or with a mixture of these four AMF species, or were uninoculated. The AMF species originated from a calcareous grassland in which the three plant species also coexisted. We obtained three pieces of evidence suggesting that AMF have the potential to de- termine plant community structure. First, plant species differed in their dependency on AMF, thus varying in degree of benefit received. Second, specific AMF species and a mixture of these AMF species had significantly different effects on several plant growth variables, and these effects were not the same on each plant species. Third, the amount of variation in the growth response of a plant species to four AMF species and to the mixture of AMF species differed among the plant species. Hieracium differed greatly in its growth response to several AMF species while Bromus did not exhibit much variation in its response to different AMF species. The varying mycorrhizal dependency of different plant species has previously been proposed as a mechanism determining plant community structure. However, we found that the mycorrhizal dependency of a plant species can vary greatly because of differential growth responses to specific AMF species compared to the growth of the uninoculated plants. Consequently mycorrhizal dependency, as a measure indicating how much a plant depends on AMF for its growth, is not necessarily a fixed value and therefore cannot be used as a definitive term. In addition, those plant species with highly variable responses to single AMF species or to combinations of AMF species (AMF communities) will be strongly affected by the specific species of AMF that occupy their roots, in contrast to plant species that do not respond differently to different AMF species. We conclude that, through their differential effects on plant growth, AMF species that co-occur as natural AMF communities have the potential to determine plant community structure, and that future studies on plant population and community structure need to consider the strength of their role as a determinant.

Field survey and field experimental data are presented and interpreted in the context of the factors controlling the supply of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the pasture sward. The field experimental data show that an air (gas phase)–pasture equilibrium was approached rapidly, within a few days, with a similar equilibrium attained between different grass species studied ( Lolium perenne , Holcus lanatus , Festuca ovina ). A mass balance model for a typical UK air–pasture–soil system is presented and used to estimate the distribution and rates of air–surface exchange and sequestration of PCBs into freshly growing plant biomass. A soil–air–vegetation model developed by Trapp and Matthies (1997 , Environmental Science and Technology 31, 71–74) and other information is used to consider the possible influence of soil outgassing and sequestration versus the supply of PCBs from the bulk air to the pasture. It is hypothesised that a rapid approach to air–pasture equilibrium conditions could occur because PCBs are supplied from both the bulk air and by volatilisation from the underlying pastureland soil.

A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the growth of the grass cover crops Agrostis capillaris, Festuca ovina, F. rubra, Lolium perenne, and Phleum pratense and their accumulation of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr in three metal-contaminated wastes arising from a steelworks, a lead mine, and a chemical works. Soil metals were extracted by five reagents (Mehlich 1, 0.1 M HCI, 0.005 M DTPA, 0.005 M EDTA, 0.005 M NTA) and values were correlated with plant tissue accumulation of metals. Agrastis capillaris accumulated the greatest concentration of metals from each waste material. Dry matter production for all grasses decreased on contaminated substrates compared to the control ; however, overall ground cover was satisfactory except for A. capillaris on the chemical works waste. Lolium perenne and P. pratense consistently produced the highest dry matter yields. All grasses accumulated excessive amounts of Cr on the chemical waste and Pb on the mine waste, presumably from reservoirs in the readily extractable and soluble forms. The extractability of most metals was generally 0.1 M HCI > Mehlich 1 > DTPA = EDTA = NTA. Mehlich 1 did not appredably extract Pb from two wastes No extractant was able to represent metal uptake by a particular grass in a linear fashion.

Artificial turves composed of 7 chalk grassland species (Festuca ovina L.; Briza media L.; Bromopsis erecta (Hudson) Fourr.; Plantago media L.; Sanguisorba minor Scop.; Anthyllis vulneraria L. and Lotus corniculatus L.) were grown from seed and exposed to two seasons of elevated (600 ?mol mol–1) and ambient (340 ?mol mol–1) CO2 concentrations in free air CO2 enrichment (ETH-FACE, Zurich). The turves were clipped regularly to a height of 5 cm and assessed for above ground biomass production and relative abundance based on accumulated clipped dry biomass as well as by point quadrat recording. Below ground biomass production was assessed with root in-growth bags during the second season of growth. Increases in total biomass (> 30%) were noted in elevated CO2, but the differences did not become significant until the second season of growth. Individual species' biomass varied in response to elevated CO2, with significant increases in biomass in elevated CO2 turves for both legume species, and no significant CO2 effect on S. minor or P. media. An initial positive CO2 effect on biomass of combined grass species was reversed by the end of the experiment with less biomass and a significantly smaller proportion of total biomass present in elevated CO2, which was attributed primarily to changes in proportion of F. ovina. Species relative abundance was significantly affected by elevated CO2 in the final 4 of the 6 clip events, with the legume species increasing in proportion at the expense of the other species, particularly the grasses. Root length and dry weight were both significantly increased in elevated CO2 (77% and 89%, respectively), and these increases were greater than increases in shoot biomass (36%) from the same period. Species responses to elevated CO2, within the model community, were not consistent with predictions made from data on individual species, leading to the conclusion that responses to elevated CO2, at the community level, and species within the community level, are the result of direct physiological effects and indirect competitive effects. These conclusions are discussed with respect to the ecological responses of natural communities, and the chalk grassland community in particular, to elevated CO2.

A 3-yr field study evaluated the performance of monostands and mixtures of 'Flyer' creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra), 'Jamestown II' Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud.), 'Bighorn' blue sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L. ssp. glauca) [Lam.] W.DJ. Koch), 'Reliant' hard fescue (Festuca longifolia Thuill.), and 'Rebel II' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). The fescues were grown without supplemental irrigation or fertilizer after seedlings emerged. The turf was managed under two mowing regimes: Regime I, mowing as needed to a height of 6.5 cm and Regime II, mowing monthly to a height of 9.0 cm. Spring turf quality was higher with Regime I, whereas, fall quality was generally higher in turf maintained in Regime II. There was no difference in summer or winter quality between mowing regimes in any year. Flyer and Jamestown II monostands generally had quality inferior to mixtures containing these cultivars with other Festuca species. The Rebel II monostand and Rebel II + Flyer mixture had best summer quality in 1993 and 1995 in Regime I. Reliant, Bighorn, and Rebel II monostands and Reliant + Flyer and Rebel II + Flyer mixtures generally exhibited similar summer quality in all years in Regime II. There was no apparent advantage to including Flyer or Jamestown II in mixes with other Festuca species. Mowing Regime II (average seven mowings per year) resulted in a 40% reduction in mowing frequency compared with Regime I (average 13 mowings per year). Smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreber) Schreber ex. Muhlenh.] became invasive in Regime I plots in the second year, but crabgrass cover remained low (≤ 2%) in all plots maintained in Regime II in all years.

The rate of litter loss, and the release of N, P, K, Ca during litter decomposition of two C4 plants (Dichanthium ischaemum L. and Chrysopogon gryllus L.) and one C3 plant (Festuca ovina H.) were studied for 24 months. This was achieved by placing leaf and culm litter in nylon screen bags close to the soil surface, sampling every three months to mease the changes in litter weight and chemical composition during the experimental period. Litter decomposition was faster during the first 12 months for both leaves and culms of all species. The order was D. ischaemum > F. ovina > C. gryllus. The mean rate litter loss for the 12 and 24 month period was similar for leaf and culm litter. Nitrogen accumulation was observed during the entire experimental period for all species. Phosphorus release had occurred during the experimental period in the decreasing order: C. gryllus > D. ischaemum > F. ovina. Potassium release was observed after 12 and 24 months in the decreasing order D. ischaemum > C. gryllus > F. ovina, while calcium was accumulating. The decomposition rates were similar for C4 and C3 plants and their contribution to nutrient cycling depended on the release of the various elements during decomposition.

summary Three perennial grass species, Lolium perenne L., Agrottis capillaris L. and Festuca uvina L., were homogeneously labelled in phytotrons with 14CO2 at two CO2 concentrations (350 and 700μl l−1). Plants were grown under two nitrogen regimes: one with a minor addition of 8 kg N ha−1, the other with an addition of 278 kg N ha−1. Carbon allocation over the different compartments of the plant/soil systems was measured: shoots, roots, rhizosphere soil (soil solution, microbial biomass and soil residue), and bulk soil. Elevated CO., increased total net 14C recovery in all species by 14%, and significantly enhanced the below-ground 14C allocation by 26%, this enhancement was 24%, 39% and 21 % for root, rhizosphere soil and bulk soil, respectively. Within the rhizosphere soil, the 14C amounts in the soil solution (+ 69%) and soil residue (+ 49%,) increased significantly. Total microbial biomass-C in the rhizosphere soil was also increased (15 %) by the elevated CO2 treatment, but only in proportion to the increased root mass. No interactions were observed between the elevated CO2, and N treatments. The N treatment increased total net 14C recovery by more than 300% and 14C was preferentially allocated to the shoots, leading to a significant increase in shoot-to-root ratio. However, N fertilization also increased (+111%) the absolute amount of 14C in soil. The three species behaved differently, but no interactions were observed between CO2 treatment and plant species. These results show that elevated CO2 induces an increased C input into soil for all three grass species at both N levels. However, the highest absolute amounts were found in the soils of the fastest growing species and at the highest N level.

In a greenhouse study, deinking sludge was evaluated as a soil amendment supplemented with four nitrogen (N) fertilization levels for the growth of the grasses Agropyron elongatum (Host.) Beauv. (tall wheatgrass), Alopecurus pratensis L. (meadow foxtail), Festuca ovina var. duriuscula (L). Koch (hard fescue), and four levels of phosphorus (P) for the growth of the legumes Galega orientalis Lam. (galega), Medicago lupulina L. (black medic), Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam (yellow sweet clover). Fertilizers were applied on the basis of sludge level to maintain uniform carbon (C)/N or C/P ratios across sludge treatments. In one experiment, sand was mixed with 0, 10, 20 or 30% sludge while, in a second experiment, mineral soil was mixed with 0, 27, 53 or 80% sludge (vol/vol). In sand mixtures of 30 and 20% sludge, grasses had similar or greater growth than in unamended mineral soil when N was added at about 6.5 and 8.4 g kg−1 deinking sludge, respectively. For all legumes but Medicago lupulina, P at about 0.8 g kg−1 sludge was required for these sand mixtures. In soil mixtures of 53 and 27% sludge, grasses grew well when supplemental N was about 5.3 and 6.9 g kg−1 sludge, respectively. Legumes required P at 0.5 and 1.2 g kg−1 sludge, respectively. In general, growth was closely related to total amount of added N or P in spite of the wide range of C/N or C/P ratios. When growing in media amended with sludge, grasses needed higher tissue N concentration for an equivalent growth than in control soil; legumes had similar tissue P concentration. The grasses Agropyron elongatum and Alopecurus pratensis as well as the legumes Melilotus officinalis and Galega orientalis are promising species for field testing, based on dry matter production. Deinking sludge can be used as soil amendment when adequate N and P supplements are provided. Key words: Soil amendment, papermill sludge, Agropyron elongatum, Alopecurus pratensis, Festuca ovina, Medicago lupulina, Galega orientalis, Melilotus officinalis

Along rural roadsides of the Sacramento Valley of California, we seeded native and non-native perennial grasses to gauge their potential value in roadside vegetation management programs. In trial I (polycultures), three seeded complexes and a control (resident vegetation only) were tested. Each seeded plant complex included a different mix of perennial grasses seeded into each of several roadside topographic zones. The seeded levels of plant complex were: native perennial grasses 1 (8 species); native perennial grasses 2 (13 species); and non-native perennial grasses (3 species). In trial II, plots were seeded to monocultural plots of 15 accessions of native Californian and three cultivars of non-native perennial grasses. Plots in both trials were seeded during January 1992 and evaluated for three successive years. In trial I polycultures during 1993, canopy cover by seeded species was not significantly different among the three seeded complexes. The three seeded complexes showed statistically equivalent reduction of canopy cover by resident plant species. Biomass of seeded perennial grasses was greater for non-native perennial grasses than for native perennial grasses 1 or native perennial grasses 2. Total biomass (seeded plus resident species) was greatest for non-native perennial grasses. In trial II monocultures during 1993, the non-native Thinopyrum intermedium ssp. trichophorum (pubescent wheatgrass) attained the greatest height, followed by the native species Nassella (Stipa) cernua (nodding needlegrass), Nassella (Stipa) pulchra (purple needlegrass), and Elymus trachycaulus var. majus (slender wheatgrass). By contrast, the non-native Festuca ovina (sheep fescue) and the native Poa secunda ssp. secunda (pine bluegrass) were particularly short. N. cernua, N. pulchra, E. trachycaulus, and T. intermedium ssp. trichophorum showed particularly great canopy cover, whereas particularly low values of canopy cover were obtained for F. ovina and P. secunda ssp. secunda. A highly significant inverse linear relationship was obtained by regression analysis when canopy cover for seeded perennial grasses was used to predict canopy cover for resident plant species (p < 0.0001, r 2 = 0.297, slope = -0.336, intercept = 39.442). In 1994, the following native perennial grasses showed substantial canopy cover in trial II monocultures and appear promising for use in Sacramento Valley rights-of-way: Bromus carinatus (California brome), Elymus glaucus (blue wildrye), E. trachycaulus, all accessions of Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. brachyantherum (meadow barley), a prostrate accession of Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. californicum (California barley), N. cernua, and N. pulchra. In addition, the non-native T. intermedium ssp. trichophorum performed well. By contrast, virtual failure of stands was observed for the non-native F. ovina and the following native species: Elymus multisetus (squirreltail), two accessions of Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue), Festuca rubra (creeping red fescue), and P. secunda ssp. secunda.

Low-input sustainable turf (LIST) management represents a resource-efficient option in maintaining uniform, persistent turf. What species are best suited to such management needs to be established. To this end, 12 hardy species were evaluated for 3 yr in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin: crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult. 'Fairway', 'Ephraim', and 'Ruff'], streambank wheatgrass [Agropyron riparium Scribn. & Smith 'Sodar'; syn. Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Smith) Gould subsp. lanceolatus], Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa L. 'Reubens'), hard fescue [Festuca ovina var. duriuscula (L.) Koch 'Durar'; syn. F. lemanii T. Bastard], sheep fescue (F. ovina L. 'Covar' and common), tall fescue (F. arundinacea Schreb. 'Alta'), bulbous bluegrass (P. bulbosa L.), alpine bluegrass (P. alpina L.), redtop (Agrostis alba L. 'Reton'; Agrostis gigantea Roth), roughstalk bluegrass (P. trivialis L 'Colt'), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis Sibth. 'Exeter'; syn. Agrostis capillaris L.), and buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm. 'Texoka' and 'NE-315']. All were field-established and compared at three mowing heights: 3.8 cm, 7.6 cm, and no mowing. Quality ratings were based on uniform persistence. Tall fescue and common sheep fescue were the best and most broadly adapted to LIST. In Iowa, hard fescue, Canada bluegrass, and crested wheatgrass also did well. Colonial bentgrass was best adapted in Missouri. Redtop and roughstalk bluegrass grew better in a north-south area from Wisconsin through central Illinois to Missouri. The buffalograsses excelled in Ohio and southern Illinois. Over all species, the 7.6-cm mowing height allowed the best turf quality. Specifically, tall fescue, colonial bentgrass, redtop, and common sheep fescue performed best at the 7.6-cm mowing height. Covar sheep fescue, hard fescue, Canada bluegrass, and Fairway crested wheatgrass could not maintain persistent stands under the 3.8-cm mowing height. No mowing resulted in intermediate levels of quality with all species. A 7.6-cm mowing height would be appropriate for testing species in LIST within the seven-state region used in this study.

Establishment of cool season grass seedlings in sandy soils is difficult due to lack of sufficient water in the seed zone. Our objective was to quantify the root growth rate of two cultivars of each of six Festuca species in the greenhouse. Festuca cultivars differed in rooting depth, root elongation rates, root length density, root mass density, root area, shoot biomass, leaf area, leaf length, and leaf number. The deepest root system and greatest cumulative root elongation rates were observed for ‘Clemfine’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Visible root depth within the tube wall was significantly correlated with the root length observed after soil washing. The results of this study show that plants with aggressive root elongation rates had the deepest and best developed root and shoot systems.

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of two plant communities on a calamine spoil mound (rich in cadmium, lead and zinc) in southern Poland was surveyed: an undisturbed grassland community and an early succession community that developed after complete removal of the surface layer of the calamine substrate about 10 years earlier. The undisturbed site harbored 40 herbaceous species making up 87% of the absolute cover. AM colonization was recorded in 25 species accounting for 77% of the relative cover. Species with 51–75% AM root colonization such as Festuca ovina and Leontodon hispidus dominated the undisturbed turf, contributing 45% to the relative cover. Carex ssp. were the most abundant nonmycorrhizal plants and accounted for 9% of the relative cover. Spores of Glomus aggregatum, G. constrictum, G. fasciculatum, G. pansihalos, Glomus sp. and Entrophospora sp. averaged 25 per 100 g dry substrate at the undisturbed site. The disturbed site was colonized by 25 species accounting for 17% of the absolute cover. Among the AM plants, most abundant were the species with up to 20% AM root colonization, such as Agrostis stolonifera and Thymus pulegioides, wich accounted for 24% of the relative cover. Nonmycorrhizal species, such as Biscutella laevigata,Cardaminopsis arenosa, Gypsophila fastigiata and Silene vulgaris, dominated the early succession community and contributed 64% to the relative cover. Spores of G. fasciculatum and Entrophospora sp. averaged 20 per 100 g dry substrate at the disturbed site.

The aim of this research was to determine the complete flora of Ahlatlibel dryland range, near Ankara and to investigate the distributions of the most abundant and important range plants. The results were analysed using chi-square and coefficient of dispersion methods. The analysis showed that the distributions of Stipa lagascae, Festuca ovina, Astragalus ovalis and Astragalus angustifolius were fitted to the poisson distribution, while Poa bulbosa had a contagious distribution. Basal cover values of these five experimental species varied between 5.93% for Festuca ovina and 0.56 for Astragalus angustifolius. 109 plant species belonging to 77 genera in 27 families were found in the experimental area. It was observed that 13 plant species in the experimental area were decreasers, comprising eight grasses, four legumes and one Rosaceae species. Nine species were increasers; four grasses and five from other plant families. Thus, a total of 22 plant species out of 109 were identified as climax plant species for this region. The presence of so many plant species in approximately 1.5 ha of land, and the small proportion of climax plant species indicated that the condition of this dryland range was poor. Besides this, it was observed that there was not expected improvement in the vegetation of this range rested for 25-30 years.

1. We studied the nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) in six perennial grasses adapted to a wide range of nutrient availability. The glasshouse experiment was carried out in pots containing nutrient solution, with two fertility treatments. Nitrogen-use efficiency was considered as the product of nitrogen productivity and mean residence time of the nitrogen in the plant (calculated using 15N pulse labelling). 2. The species investigated are characteristic of habitats ranging from very nutrient rich to extremely nutrient poor, in the following order: Lolium perenne, Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca ovina and Molinia caerulea. 3. Lolium perenne (adapted to nutrient-rich habitats) had higher nitrogen productivity (A) than M. caerulea (species adapted to nutrient-poor habitats) but lower than that of F. rubra (from habitats with an intermediate availability of nutrients). 4. In the low fertility treatment, species with the lowest nitrogen-use efficiency had the lowest N productivity and the highest mean nitrogen residence time (MRT); however, although species with the highest nitrogen use efficiency had the highest N productivity they did not have the lowest MRT. In all species the nitrogen-use efficiency decreased with increasing N supply. The two components of the NUE (A and MRT) are inversely correlated along gradients of nutrient availability, but not at very high levels of nutrient availability. 5. The nitrogen-use efficiency of species at constant levels of nutrient supply tends to increase with increasing nutrient availability in their preferred habitat, according to the Clausman nutrient index, up to a certain nutrient availability and then decreases. The results support the contention that species from nutrient-poor sites are not necessarily adapted by a high nitrogen-use efficiency, but by low nutrient loss rates (high mean residence time of N in the plant)., We wish to thank R.H.M.E. Geerts for his valious assistance with the experimental work in the greenhouse. We also thank to J.G. Heij for his contribution on the experimental work, G.W. Valkenburg for analysing the labelled samples and one anonymolJs reviewer for helpful comments on. the manuscript. This study was partially supported by a post doctoral grant to B.R. Vázquez de Aldana from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

To quantify the involvement of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi in the intraspecific transport of carbon (C) between plants we fumigated established Festuca ovina turf for one week with air containing depleted 13C. This labelled current assimilate in a section of mycorrhizal or non-mycorrhizal turf. Changes in the 13/12C ratio of adjacent, unfumigated plants, therefore, allowed the movement of C between labelled and unlabelled plants to be estimated. In mycorrhizal turves, 41% of the C exported to the roots from the leaves was transported to neighbouring plants. The most likely explanation of this is was the transport of C via a common hyphal network connecting the roots of different plants. No inter-plant transport of C was detected in non-mycorrhizal turves. There was no evidence that the C left fungal structures and entered the roots of receiver plants. Mycorrhizal colonisation increased carbon transport from leaves to root from 10% of fixed carbon when non-mycorrhizal to 36% in mycorrhizal turves. These results suggest that AM fungi impose a significantly greater C drain on host plants than was previously thought.

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of soil disinfestation and presence of Festuca ovina L. on the formation of Tuber melanosporum Vitt. mycorrhizae by Corylus avellana L. Festuca ovina reduced colonization of young hazels by T. melanosporum. Co-culture with F. ovina resulted in necrosis of hazel roots, leading to 33% plant mortality. The surviving hazels were poorly colonized by T. melanosporum and highly colonized by other symbionts. Roots of F. ovina did not seem to attract mycelium or to be infected by T. melanosporum. Relatively poor mycorrhizal colonization developed in non-disinfested soil containing native inoculum of Tuber melanosporum. Mycorrhization by T. melanosporum developed very efficiently in disinfested soil inoculated with a spore suspension with relatively little colonization by competing symbionts. Growth of host plant was also affected.

*108. Festuca ovina L. var. duriuscula (L.) Hack. subvar. coreana St. -Yves, Bull. Soc. Bot. France, 71: 33, 1924. Isotype: Port Hamilton, 1859, C. Wilford., Published as part of Grabovskaya-Borodina, Alisa E., Illarionova, Irina D., Tatanov, Ivan V., Lee, Byoung-Yoon & Lim, Chae Eun, 2013, Type specimens of Korean vascular plants in the Herbarium of the Komarov Botanical Institute (LE), pp. 191-202 in Journal of Species Research 2 (2) on page 198, DOI: 10.12651/JSR.2013.2.2.191, http://zenodo.org/record/8120244

Chloroplast genome sequences are of broad significance in plant biology, due to frequent use in molecular phylogenetics, comparative genomics, population genetics, and genetic modification studies. The present study used a second-generation sequencing approach to determine and assemble the plastid genomes (plastomes) of four representatives from the agriculturally important Lolium-Festuca species complex of pasture grasses (Lolium multiflorum, Festuca pratensis, Festuca altissima, and Festuca ovina). Total cellular DNA was extracted from either roots or leaves, was sequenced, and the output was filtered for plastome-related reads. A comparison between sources revealed fewer plastome-related reads from root-derived template but an increase in incidental bacterium-derived sequences. Plastome assembly and annotation indicated high levels of sequence identity and a conserved organization and gene content between species. However, frequent deletions within the F. ovina plastome appeared to contribute to a smaller plastid genome size. Comparative analysis with complete plastome sequences from other members of the Poaceae confirmed conservation of most grass-specific features. Detailed analysis of the rbcL–psaI intergenic region, however, revealed a “hot-spot” of variation characterized by independent deletion events. The evolutionary implications of this observation are discussed. The complete plastome sequences are anticipated to provide the basis for potential organelle-specific genetic modification of pasture grasses.

This study was carried out to determine phosphorus and potassium levels in sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) using spectral reflectance data in field and greenhouse conditions. Spectral reflectance measurements were undertaken using a portable spectroradiometer measuring the wavelength range of 325-1075 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum. The treatments consisted of different concentrations (0, 20 and 40 kg da-1) of phosphorus and potassium for each pots and plots. Spectral reflectance values were measured in both canopy level and single-leaf. According to result of the study, the changes in phosphorus and potassium levels were affected reflectance values of blue and near infrared region of spectrum which located in the range of 400-500 nm and 700-900 nm, respectively. The results have shown that spectral reflectance data (especially blue and near infrared region) could be used to estimate the phosphorus and potassium concentration in sheep fescue., Bu çalışma, koyun yumağı (Festuca ovina) bitkisinde spektral yansıma değerleri kullanılarak fosfor ve potasyum seviyelerinin belirlenebilirliğini araştırmak amacıyla tarla ve sera koşullarında yürütülmüştür. Spektral yansıma ölçümleri için elektromanyetik spektrumun 325-1075 nm dalga boyları arasında yansıma ölçümleri yapabilen taşınabilir bir spektroradyometre kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada parsellere ve saksılara 0, 20 ve 40 kg dadozlarında fosfor ve potasyum uygulanmıştır. Spektral yansıma ölçümleri hem kanopi hem de tek yaprak düzeyinde yapılmıştır. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre fosfor ve potasyum düzeylerindeki değişimler spektrumun mavi (400-500 nm) ve yakın kızıl ötesi (700-900 nm) bölgelerindeki yansımaları etkilemektedir. Sonuçlar, koyun yumağı bitkisinde fosfor ve potasyum konsantrasyonlarının tahmininde spektral yansıma değerlerinin (özellikle mavi ve yakınkızıl ötesi bölgeler) kullanılabileceğini göstermiştir.

The ecological success of a plant species is typically described by the observed change in plant abundance or cover, but in order to more fully understand the fundamental plant ecological processes, it is necessary to inspect the underlying processes of survival and colonization and how they are affected by environmental conditions. A general ecological hypothesis on the effect of environmental gradients on demographic parameters is proposed and tested. The hypothesis is that decreasing fitness or competitive ability along an environmental gradient is associated with an increasing importance of survival for regulating the abundance of the species. The tested hypothesis is related to both the stress gradient hypothesis and whether the importance of competition increases along productivity gradients. The combined effect of nitrogen and glyphosate on the survival and colonization probability of two perennial grass species, Festuca ovina and Agrostis capillaris, which are known to differ in their responses to both glyphosate and nitrogen treatments, is calculated using pin-point cover data in permanent frames. We found that the relative importance of survival increased with the level of glyphosate for the glyphosate sensitive A. capillaris and decreased for the glyphosate tolerant F. ovina. Likewise, increasing levels of nitrogen increased the importance of survival for the relative nitrophobic F. ovina. Consequently, the proposed hypothesis was corroborated in this specific study. The proposed method will enable predictions of the effects of agricultural practices on community dynamics in a relatively simple setup eliminating the need to quantify all the interaction among the species in the plant community. The method will be immediately useful for the regulation of non-cultivated buffer strips between agricultural fields and semi-natural and natural biotopes such as hedgerows and waterways.

We investigated the responses of model calcareous grassland communities to three CO2 concentrations: 330, 500, and 660 mu L L(-1). The communities were composed of six species, Bromus erectus Hudson, Festuca ovina L., Prunella vulgaris L., Prunella grandiflora (L.) Scholler, Hieracium pilosella L., and Trifolium repens L., that are native to the calcareous grasslands of Europe. Genotypic variation in CO2 response was studied in Bromus erectus and Festuca ovina. Plants were harvested after c. 126 days of growth. We found that: 1 At the community level, there were marginally significant (0.1 greater than or equal to P < 0.05) increases in leaf and litter dry weight with increasing CO2 concentration. 2 There were significant differences between species in CO2 response, including both negative and positive responses. Prunella vulgaris had a significant negative response; Hieracium pilosella and Festuca ovina had significant positive responses; Prunella grandiflora had a marginally significant positive response; and Bromus erectus and Trifolium repens did not have significant responses. 3 There was significant variation among genotypes in the response to elevated CO2 in Bromus erectus, but not in Festuca ovina. Based on the observed species- and genotype-level variation in CO2 response of calcareous grassland plants in this and other studies, we speculate that increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations will alter community structure in calcareous grasslands.

The effectiveness of contour grass strips in controlling erosion was studied in a laboratory experiment involving two grass treatments (Festuca ovina and Poa pratensis) and a bare soil control, five slopes (5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 degrees) and two discharge types (runoff only and rainfall-runoff combined) with two replications. Significant differences were observed between the two grass species with Festuca ovina giving the greater reduction in soil loss. This is explained by the greater root density and the interwoven nature of the stems and leaves.

A long—term field experiment in limestone grassland near Buxton (North Derbyshire, United Kingdom) was designed to identify plant attributes and vegetation characteristics conducive to successful invasion. Plots containing crossed, continuous gradients of fertilizer addition and disturbance intensity were subjected to a single—seed inoculum comprising a wide range of plant functional types and 54 species not originally present at the site. Several disturbance treatments were applied; these included the creation of gaps of contrasting size and the mowing of the vegetation to different heights and at different times of the year. This paper analyzes the factors controlling the initial phase of the resulting invasions within the plots subject to gap creation. The susceptibility of the indigenous community to invasion was strongly related to the availability of bare ground created, but greatest success occurred where disturbance coincided with eutrophication. Disturbance damage to the indigenous dominants (particularly Festuca ovina) was an important determinant of seedling establishment by the sown invaders. Large seed size was identified as an important characteristic allowing certain species to establish relatively evenly across the productivity—disturbance matrix; smaller—seeded species were more dependent on disturbance for establishment. Successful and unsuccessful invaders were also distinguished to some extent by differences in germination requirements and present geographical distribution.

SUMMARY The hypotheses that performance of Lolium perenne L. (ryegrass) differs when plants grow with conspecific or heterospecific neighbours, and that nutrient supply and severity of defoliation modifies the effect, were tested in a target:neighbour pot experiment. Target L. perenne plants were grown with neighbours of five grass species (L. perenne, Poa pratensis L., P. trivialis L., Festuca ovina L. and F. rubra L.) and Trifolium repens L. (white clover), at three nutrient levels (high, medium and low) and three defoliation severities (no defoliation or cut every 2 wk to 4 cm or 8 cm) over a 12 wk experimental period. Performance of L. perenne plants differed depending on the species of neighbour. Tiller numbers and dry weights of clippings of L. perenne, at both individual cuts and the total accumulated over all seven cuts, were greater with P. pratensis, F. ovina or T. repens as neighbours than in a monoculture. The differences were generally confined to medium and high nutrient levels. The pattern of clippings depended on species association; clippings were similar at successive cuts except in mixtures with P. pratensis, F. ovina and T. repens, where they increased until the 4-5th cuts. The total accumulated dry matter (DM) and nutrients of L. perenne and the percentage contribution of DM to the pot total were also greater in these mixtures. Individual linear regressions of tiller numbers and accumulated N for each species combination best described the relationships between L. perenne and its neighbour. Neighbouring species had no significant effect on the relative losses of dry weight or nutrients in clippings of L. perenne when expressed as a proportion of the total accumulated, but partitioning of DM to L. perenne roots (root weight ratio) was greater in associations with Poa species than in a monoculture. It was concluded that the species of neighbour affected the accumulation and partitioning of dry matter and nutrients in L. perenne and that nutrient supply, but not defoliation, modified the responses. The results are discussed in relation to species interactions in grazed swards.

In March 1999 five seed-mixtures were sown on a shallow substrate bed on a roof near Bernburg. The aim was to study the effect of adding annuals, or cuttings of several sedum-species, respectively, instead of the usual high percentage of grassseeds, in order to optimise the coverage and density, even without a high amount of grasses in the first and second year after sowing. A second factor involved two different fertilisers. Only on fertilized plots in the second year was a covering rate > 60% achieved. The influence of fertilizer in the second year was substantially larger than the effect of the seed-mixtures. Suitable annuals were Gypsophila elegans, Iberis amara, Silene armeria and Xeranthemum annuum, which were able to form aspects in the first year. Gypsophila elegans provided a stable population in the second year. Even without increasing the coverage significantly, it is highly recommended as an addition to seed mixtures because of its flowering aspect. The trial confirms the importance of fertilisation on shallow-substrate roof-gardens. Cuttings of Sedum album, S. sexangulare and S. reflexum can reach high coverage relatively fast, but on larger areas involve higher costs. Even a relatively low addition of 10 g/m2 Sedum to seed mix can result in a significant effect and reduce the proportion of grasses, if fertilised even in the first vegetation period after sowing. INTRODUCTION According to guidelines from the “Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e.V.“ (FLL, Research association of landscape development and landscape construction) green roofs need to demonstrate a covering of more than 60% in order to be approved (FLL 1995). To achieve this in the shortest time possible, mostly high percentages of grasses, especially Festuca ovina agg. are mixed into the seed compositions. Their rapid growth unfortunately leads to a rather poor flowering aspect because of the low presence of forbs. On a roof garden near Bernburg (SachsenAnhalt;), a central German drought area, a comparative sowing trial was tried to answer the following questions: 1. Can seed mixes with less grasses but additions of annuals or Sedum cuttings respectively optimise the coverage in the 1 and 2 year after sowing? and; 2. What is the effect of fertilisation on these seed mixtures? MATERIALS AND METHODS Research was conducted on the roof of a garden-shelter occupying an area of 42 m2 in a private garden near Bernburg (ca. 480 mm average annual rainfall). The site comprised the following construction profile: basic drain layer (3 cm): shredded styrofoam, filter layer: filter fleece, 90g/m2, and substrate (7 cm): expanded slate (8/16, 80%) + Perlite (15%) + Flora-roof-substrate (5%). The roof had a 10% slope northward. There were twenty plots, each measuring 2 m2 for 10 variations in 2 repetitions. The trail was irrigated only in 1999 every two weeks in dry periods. The basic mix was Roofgarden according to the seed producing company “RiegerH and the trail involved 17 annual species, and cuttings from 5 Sedum species. Treatments were: A1: 2g basic mix –original, A2: 1g basic mix (without annuals and grasses) + 1g grasses, Proc. IC on Urban Horticulture Eds: R. Junge-Berberovic et al. Acta Hort 643, ISHS 2004 302 A3: 1.8g basic mix (without annuals and grasses) + 0.5g annuals (about 40 seeds each species) + 0.2g grasses, A4: 0.35g basic mix (without annuals and grasses) + 0.15g grasses + 100 g Sedumcuttings, A5: 1g basic mix (without annuals and grasses) + 1g grasses + 0.5 g annuals and + 50 g Sedum-cuttings. A list of all species is published in Kircher (2002). Seeding date was in week 13/1999. In the case of fertilisation the treatments were: B1: 1999: without fertiliser, week 17/2000: 4 g N/m2 as Osmocote Plus 5-6M (15:10:12:2), B2: week 18/1999: 10 g N/m2 as Nitrophoska permanent (15:9:15:2), week 17/2000: 10 g N/m2 as Osmocote Plus 5-6M (15:10:12:2). Compared with the recommendations of Fischer & Jauch (2001) and Kolb (2002) a relatively high dosage of fertiliser was chosen, because annuals as R-strategists (Grime 1986) grow naturally on disturbed sites with high availability of nutrients, in particular nitrogen. The degree of coverage (%), number of individuals and height (cm) of each germinated species were estimated or counted on the 28.07.99 and 31.05.00. Obviously dead plants were not evaluated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Overall Coverage Mixes with annuals as well as with blends of Sedum-cuttings showed distinctly higher coverage rates than variant A1. On all fertilised plots – except variant A1 – in the second year a coverage rate of > 60% was reached. The influence of fertilising in the second year is more significant than that of species composition. There was a distinct lower coverage of the plots sown with basis-mix without annuals or Sedum-cuttings (A1). Grasses and Forbs The grasses Festuca ovina and F. pallens appeared to dominate. Amongst the forbs Petrorhagia saxifraga was the most successful. Dianthus, Silene and Thymus species, as well as Anthemis tinctoria germinated well, but most of the seedlings were eliminated during the first summer through drought. Some Allium schoenoprasum seedlings became recognisable in the third year after sowing. The other species appeared not to be able to withstand the extreme stress caused by drought. Annuals Only Gypsophila elegans, Iberis amara, Silene armeria and Xeranthemum annuum made reasonable plants in the first vegetation period, but without a significant contribution to increased coverage. Erodium cicutarium, a native R-strategist in poor drymeadows was inconspicuous. The same applied to Arenaria serpyllifolia, which germinated in large numbers, but visually remained in the background because of its low growth. However it did maintain its presence even into the third year on the roof. Though Iberis amara and Xeranthemum annuum germinated well they didn’t reach suitable heights for flowering. Silene armeria was only found in few specimens, but was able to produce attractive flowers on the fertilised plots. Gypsophila elegans surprised with stable populations even in the second year. Despite not seriously contributing to a higher coverage, its flowering in autumn enriched the visual effect. The effect of fertilising to the appearance of the annuals was unexpectedly low. With Gypsophila the low fertilised plots of the second year had better ratings. Sedum-Cuttings Sedum floriferum 'Weihenstephaner Gold' and S. hybridum 'Immergrunchen' did not grow, and S. forsteranum hardly succeeded at all. Several cuttings were blown off by

Festuca ovina subsp. laevis Hack., Monogr. Festuc. Eur.: 8a, 107, tab. III, fig. 7. 1882 (Fig. 1). �� F.ovina var. laevis Hack., Monogr. Festuc. Eur.: 84. 1882. Lectotypus (designated here): with three labels: ITALY: A) ���Planta Sicula / Festuca duriuscula L. var. elata / In pratis montosis ��� Palermo alla / Pizzuta. Maio m. / Leg. Todaro [from Todaro���s hand]��� s.d., s.n.; B) ��� F. duriuscula / v. laevis m. / det. Hackel [from Hackel���s hand]���; C) ��� Festuca [pr.] laevis (Hack.) Nym. Consp. / var. laevis / F. circummediterranea Patzke var. circumm. / III.65 / XII 75 [from Markgraf-Dannenberg���s hand] / det. I. Markgraf-Dannenberg [pr.]��� (W!). HACKEL (1881: 405) published the name F.ovina subsp. laevis. According to MCNEILL & al. (2006, art. 32.1, 41.3), this name is not validly published in this paper, because it is accompanied neither by a description, nor by a reference to a previously published description; consequently, even this infraspecific taxon has no taxonomic ���status���. Within this invalid ��� subsp. laevis ���, HACKEL (1881: 405) reports six different varieties. Among these, a ��� var. laevis ��� is described, for which he reports the following distribution: ���Gebirge Siciliens, Neapol., n��rdl. Appenninen, Seealpen, Sierra do Alcoy in SO.- Spanien; Daya in Algier; Kreta.��� A reference to ���Guss. Fl. sic.��� is also given. Actually, even the name F.ovina var. laevis must be regarded as not validly published, as it lacks either a description or a reference to a previously published description (MCNEILL & al., 2006, art. 32.1, 41.3). As a matter of fact, no description is reported, and even the reference to ���Guss. Fl. sic.��� is not ���a clear indication��� (M CNEILL & al., 2006, art. 32.6), as it is not clear whether Hackel refers to G USSONE (1827: 102) or to GUSSONE (1843: 86), and it must be reminded that in the two publications two different descriptions and systematic circumscriptions for the species are reported. According to the above considerations, the name F.ovina subsp. laevi s was validly published only in H ACKEL (1882), where the name of this taxon is accompanied by a short diagnosis in the identification key (HACKEL 1882: 84), by a whole description (HACKEL, 1882: 107) and by a figure showing the section of a leaf blade (HACKEL 1882: tab. III, fig. 7). Within this subspecies, H ACKEL (1882: 108-112) describes five varieties and among these a ��� var. genuina ��� HACKEL (1882: 108-110). This last includes five subvarieties, and among these a ���subvar. �� typica ��� (HACKEL, 1882: 109). Neither F.ovina var. genuina nor F.ovina subvar. typica are validly published here, as both infraspecific epithets are not allowed by MCNEILL & al., 2006 (art. 24.3). Yet, the name F.ovina var. laevis is validly published in HACKEL (1882: 84) in the identification key, where the epithet is correct and the name is accompanied by a short diagnosis. Moreover, in the index (HACKEL 1882: 213) the name ��� F. ovina ssp. laevis m. 107��� is reported, followed by ��� v. laevis m. 108���. This also means that var. laevis of both the key (HACKEL, 1882: 84) and the index (HACKEL, 1882: 213) exactly corresponds to the var. genuina invalidly described in H ACKEL (1882: 108). Consequently, even the full description and all the other features reported in the monograph for this var. genuina (HACKEL, 1882: 108-110) are to be attributed to the validly published F. ovina var. laevis (HACKEL, 1882: 84, 107), including the following synonyms: ��� F. duriuscula Guss. Prodr. Fl. sic. 102 (1827). ��� Synops. 86 (1842). Parl. Fl. palerm. 198 (1845) non L.��� (HACKEL, 1882: 109), and this distribution area: ��� In montibus Europae australis��� (HACKEL, 1882: 110). To be legitimate, these two infraspecific names are necessarily homotypic (MCNEILL & al., 2006, art 53.4). The lectotype here designated was chosen within the specimens hosted in W, where Hackel���s personal herbarium is kept; the label bears some notes handwritten by Hackel and all the morphological characters perfectly fit the original description. It appears to be a duplicate of the specimen ���TodaroFl.sic. exs nro. 444��� collected by Todaro in Sicily and cited by Hackel in the protologue (sub ���subvar. �� typica ���; HACKEL, 1882: 109)., Published as part of Foggi, Bruno, Quercioli, Claudia, Gennai, Matilde, Nardi, Enio & Signorini, Maria Adele, 2012, Lectotypification of taxa belonging to the " Festuca circummediterranea " group, pp. 221-228 in Candollea 67 (2) on pages 223-225, DOI: 10.15553/c2012v672a2, http://zenodo.org/record/5718956, {"references":["HACKEL, E. (1881). Die verwandtschaftlichen Beziehungen und die geographische Verbreitung der europaischen Festuca-arten. Bot. Centralbl. 4: 401 - 419.","MCNEILL, J., F. R. B ARRIE, H. - M. BURDET, V. DEMOULIN, D. L. HAWKSWORTH, K. MARHOLD, D. H. NICOLSON, J. PRADO, P. C. SILVA, J. E. SKOG, J. H. WIERSEMA & N. TURLAND (2006). International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code) adopted by the Seventeenth International Botanical Congress Vienna, Austria, July 2005. Regnum Veg. 146.","GUSSONE, G. (1843). Florae siculae synopsis. Vol. 1. Napoli.","HACKEL, E. (1882). MonographiaFestucarum Europearum. Berlin."]}

Tall (Festtica arundinacea Schreb.) and hard (Festuca ovina var. longifolia (L.) Koch) fescues are widely sown to stabilize disturbed soils in the cool-humid and transition climatic zones of the USA. Our objectives were to : a) quantify changes in the allocation of dry matter and growth of tall and hard fescue, forced to grow on stored soil water in sandy soil ; and b) compare dry matter allocation over time between roots and shoots to evaluate the dynamics of root-associated drought avoidance mechanisms. A randomized complete block experiment with four replications and two factors (species and stress level) was conducted in a greenhouse. The main blocks consisted of two fescue species : tall fescue and hard fescue ; sub-blocks contained stress levels : well-watered and stressed. Low, medium and severe stresses were imposed by withholding water in one set of pots. The types of fescue species grown significantly affected leaf area (LA), plant height (PH), water use (WU), root length (RL), longest root (LR), root area (RA), shoot (SDB) and root dry biomass (RDB), and root :shoot ratio (R/S). Stress level affected PH, WU, LR and RL at low stress ; WU, LR and RA at medium stress ; LA, PH, SDB, WU, RL, LR, RA and R/S at severe stress. Tall fescue had greater LA, PH, WU, RA, RL, LR, SDB, RDB and R/S than hard fescue under all treatments. Stress reduced LA, PH, SDB, WU, RA, RL, LR and R/S. Significant correlations were obtained for LA with RL, WU, LR, PH, RA, SDB, RDB ; RL with WU, LR, PH, RA, SDB, RDB ; WU with LR, PH, RA, SDB, RDB ; LR with PH, RA, SDB, RDB ; PH with RA, SDB, RDB ; RA with SDB, RDB ; and SDB with RDB. In conclusion, hard fescue had a shallower root system, shorter plant canopy, slower growth, and transpired less water to make it more drought tolerant. Tall fescue, with a deeper root system, longer plant canopy, faster growth, and greater water transpiration, is less drought tolerant at medium and severe stresses. Root attributes strongly correlated with shoot attributes and can be considered for breeding programs promoting drought tolerance.

Response of Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L.; tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreber; hard fescue, F ovina L. var. duriuscula; perennial rye grass, Lolium perenne L.; and creeping bent grass, Agrostis palustris (Hudson), to herbivory by root-feeding by grubs of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, and southern masked chafer, Cyclocephala lunda Bland, was evaluated in greenhouse trials. Potted turf grasses were infested with initial densities equivalent to 73 or 146 grubs per 0.1 m2 in spring and fall trials, and effects on plant growth and grub survival were determined. All turf grasses tolerated significant damage to roots without loss of foliage yield. In fact, feeding by grubs stimulated increased growth of foliage in some grasses. With comparable densities of grubs, loss of roots tended to be proportionately less in creeping bent grass than in other grass species. Survival of grubs was similar in all turf grasses, and between low and high grub densities. P. japonica caused greater loss of roots than C. lurida in the spring trial, but the reverse was true in the fall. Root loss per grub decreased with increasing larval density, suggesting food limitation even though root systems were not completely devoured. Implications of these findings for tolerance and recovery of grub-damaged turf grasses are discussed.

Tall (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and hard fescue [Festuca ovina var. longifolia (L.) Koch] are among the most widely sown grasses used to stabilize disturbed soils in both the cool-humid and transition climatic zones of the USA. Our objective was to evaluate the root and shoot development of two turfgrasses grown in sand and silt loam soils. Significant differences in leaf area, plant height, shoot and root dry matter, root depth (RD), root branching (RB), and root length (RL) were recorded with tall fescue compared with hard fescue. Greater leaf area, leaf number, plant height, shoot and root dry matter, and RL were observed when the grasses were grown in a silt loam soil. Greater RD and root/shoot ratio were recorded in sandy soil. Both turfgrass species and soil texture affected leaf area, leaf number, plant height, shoot dry matter, RD, RL, RB, root dry matter, and the root/shoot ratio. Significant correlations were obtained for shoot dry matter with root dry matter and RL ; leaf area with shoot dry matter and root dry matter ; root dry matter with TRL and RB ; RD with root/shoot ratio ; RL with leaf area ; and RB with TRL and RD. Turfgrasses and soil types had an significant impact on shoot and root development. A greater understanding of early root development for these grasses will assist in developing techniques for establishment and persistence under disturbed soils and adverse climatic conditions.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of increased tropospheric ozone concentrations on the growth and morphology of five native herbs commonly found to coexist in calcareous grassland in areas of Britain and continental Europe: Anthyllis vulneraria L., Cirsium acaule (L.) Scop., Festuca ovina L., Pilosella offtcinarum F. Shultz & Shultz-Bip and Lotus comiculatus L. In a chronic fumigation (mean O3 concentration of 71 ppb (71 nl 1?1) for 7 h d?1 AOT40 4585 ppb-h) which lasted for 21 d, the effects of ozone were assessed using classical growth analysis. Large reductions in mean relative growth rates for shoot and root weight and root length were observed for the two legumes (Fabaceae) Lotus corniculatus and Anthyllis vulneraria, although these were only statistically significant for Lotus corniculatus. Significant reductions in specific root length (length per unit dry weight) were found for Cirsium acaule and Pilosella officinarum (Asteraceae), while for Festuca ovina (Poaceae) the allometric coefficient was reduced significantly following exposure to ozone. An acute fumigation (mean O3 concentration of 196 ppb, 7 h) resulted in a range of visible injury, from no injury (Festuca ovina and Pilosella officinarum) through moderate levels of injury (Cirsium acaule and Lotus corniculatus) to extensive and widespread injury (Anthyllis vulneraria). Scoring of visible damage showed that this was only statistically significant for the two legumes, Lotus corniculatus and Anthyllis vulneraria. These results suggest that native herbs may differ in their sensitivity to tropospheric ozone. Both chronic and acute exposures revealed that members of the Fabaceae may be most sensitive to ozone pollution, but the study also suggests that subtle changes in root morphology occurred for members of the Asteraceae. These findings are discussed in relation to the critical levels of ozone set recently for plants and the implications of increasing tropospheric ozone for the conservation of native plant communities.

To investigate the duration of the CO 2 response and its interaction with mineral nutrition, CO 2 -enrichment experiments were performed on four British grasses of differing ecology and functional type: Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv., Festuca ovina L., Festuca rubra L. and Poa annua L. Naturally-lit, glasshouse cabinets were used, with a non-limiting water supply and a daytime mean temperature of 18 °C. Two CO 2 treatments were maintained at nominal concentrations of 350 and 700 vpm and were combined factorially with two levels of balanced mineral nutrition at conductivities of 0·1 and 1 mS cm -1 . Harvests took place at planting-out, and at 16, 37 and 58 d thereafter. Fitted curves were used to derive instantaneous values of total dry weight, relative growth rate (RGR), shoot weight fraction (SWF) and unit shoot rate (USR) for all combinations of species, CO 2 level, nutrient level and time of harvesting. At the higher nutrient level there was a reasonably close agreement with previous estimates of the CO 2 response in the four species. The response, if any, most often arose from an increase in USR being accompanied by a less than proportionate decline in SWF. Responses were sustained throughout the period studied. At the lower nutrient level, all species showed a CO 2 response initially, but this declined at a rate which was inversely related to the CO 2 -responsiveness of the species at the higher nutrient level. The underlying ontogenetic drift appeared to be markedly towards adjustment in SWF and away from that of USR. However, this drift was retarded, suspended or even reversed by low-nutrient conditions and/or by high CO 2 responsiveness in the species itself.

Samples of Juncus effusus, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum and Festuca ovina (all species characteristic of upland Britain) were taken from the field over a one year period and analysed for Cs-133 by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Concentrations of Cs-133 all plant species varied significantly over the course of the year. Species characteristic of waterlogged sites had the lowest and least variable Cs-133 concentrations. There were significant differences in the timing and magnitude of maximum Cs-133 concentrations in the species sampled.

Radiocaesium (137Cs) uptake from a coniferous forest ecosystem with soil characterized by a high fraction of organic matter and low pH was studied using sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) as indicator in a pot experiment and compared with bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and heather (Calluna vulgaris) taken from an area of coniferous forest. Results obtained on an average basis showed a slight variation within 137Cs uptake values in all tested plants. Based upon the soil-plant relationship (Bq kg−1 plant DM/Bq kg−1 soil DM), 137Cs transfer factors (TF) were calculated. Sheep's fescue TF in the two harvests (growing periods of 13 weeks each) ranged from 0.03 to 3.45, with a mean of 0.35 ± 0.42. Field plants showed higher 137Cs TF when compared with sheep's fescue. Bilberry TF ranged from 0.28 to 2.30, with a mean of 0.85 ± 0.49. Lingonberry TF ranged from 0.57 to 4.46 with a mean of 1.35 ± 0.78. Heather TF ranged from 1.80 to 8.89 with a mean of 3.31 ± 1.53. Radiocaesium transfer coefficients (TC, Bq kg−1 plant DM/Bq m−2) of field plants were also calculated. Heather 137Cs TC was the highest among all tested plants and ranged from 0.38 to 0.64 with a mean of 0.49 ± 0.05. The results demonstrated that 137Cs transfer parameters of pot experiment with sheep's fescue show no significant differences between the obtained transfer factors, using soils from bilberry, lingonberry, and heather sites.

Kish Island located in the south of Iran with 90 square kilometers, having limited expansion, sustainable ecology, erotology characteristics including low soil depth and low sweet water, does not allow the variability in plant coverage in the Island’s landscape. Investigation should be conducted on groundcover species having some abilities in adapting to such environment, demanding low water and care and being suitable for the landscape. In this study 10 species of groundcover plants were chosen including: Festuca ovina L., Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L. Bolus., Sedum spurium Bieb., Alternanthera dentata Moench., Glaucium flavum Crantz., Frankenia thymifolia Desf., Sedum acre L., Potentilla verna L., Achillea milleifolium L., Lampranthus spectabilis Haw. The plants were cultivated for ecological and physiological evaluation under 4 regions of Kish landscape natural situation during 2008 and 2009. Ecological traits were height, total fresh and dry weight of plant, leaf number and area, coverage area and visual quality; and physiological features including chlorophyll and proline contents. According to the results, it is indicated that C. acinaciformis, G. flavum and A. milleifolium have been established and began to develop, and can be recommended for cultivation in Kish Island green spaces and the same conditions elsewhere. Key words: Xeriscaping methods, drought stress, water efficiency, salt stress.

Cumulative evapotranspiration (ETcum) patterns of 10 commercially available cool-season turfgrass species and cultivars were evaluated under progressive water stress in the semi-field conditions using a gravimetric mass balance method in three studies. At the end of water stress, the cultivars were visually scored for green appearance on a 0 (no green) to 10 (100% green) scale. A Gompertz nonlinear model gave a best fit to ETcum vs. days adjusted for pan evaporation variation. Two of the ETcum attributes (ti, the time during which the rate change in ET is zero, and ETmax, the maximum ET rate) estimated from the Gompertz model appeared to reflect efficient water-use attributes in the turfgrass. Among the physiological screening techniques studied, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, and the difference between canopy and air temperature appeared to separate cultivars by drought resistance and water use efficiency (WUE). These physiological attributes were also relatively easy to measure and had high correlations with color score and WUE. Biplot display is a graphical technique in which the interrelationships between the cultivars and water-use attributes can be displayed together. Based on ti, ETmax, color score, and physiological attributes, `Wabash' and `Bristol' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), `Aurora' hard fescue (Festuca ovina var. duriuscula L. Koch.), and `FRT-30149' fine fescue (F. rubra L.) were identified as cultivars with higher WUE.

Es wurden in Grundwasserlysimetern die Evapotranspirationsraten von Schafschwingelbestanden (Festuca ovina) ermittelt und mit denen von mesophytischen Futtergrasern verglichen. Sowohl bei hohen (30 ... 50 cm) als auch bei niedrigen (90 ... 120 cm) Grundwasserstanden haben die Schafschwingelbestande bei gleichem Ertrag in den weitaus meisten Fallen niedrigere Evapotranspirationsraten, die sich jedoch selten signifikant unterscheiden.

Cheatgrass (L.) is an undesirable nonnative annual that germinates at relatively low temperatures in the spring and fall and can establish a root system more quickly than Great Basin native perennial grasses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether seed priming could be used to enhance low-temperature germination rate of native perennial grasses so that they can better compete with cheatgrass. A matric-priming technique was used to increase low-temperature germination rate of seven native perennial grasses: blue-bunch wheatgrass [ (Pursh) Love], thickspike wheatgrass [ (Scribn. & J.G. Smith) Gould; syn. (Hook.) Scribn.], basin wildrye [ (Scribn. and Merr.) A. Love], sheep fescue (L.), canby bluegrass (Scribn.), sandberg bluegrass (Vasey), and bottlebrush squirreltail [ (Nutt.) J.G. Smith]. Seeds primed at both 10 and 25°C were evaluated for germination response at both 10 and 25°C. Days to 50% germination () was ≈ 4 d for cheatgrass germinated at 10°C. Native grass seeds in control treatments germinated between about 4 and 11 d later than cheatgrass at 10°C. Priming reduced by between 4 and 8 d for all native species when germinated at 10°C. Germination rate at 10°C was generally higher when the seeds were primed at 25°C, except for basin wildrye. Priming increased cold temperature germination rate of bluebunch wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, and sheep fescue to a level comparable to cheatgrass.