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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408497
Research Project: Development of Enhanced Tools and Management Strategies to Support Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Water Quality

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Eastern gamagrass model simulation parameters for diverse ecotypes: Leaf area index, light extinction coefficient, and radiation use efficiency

Author
item Kiniry, James
item Williams, Amber
item JACOT, JACQUELINE - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item AVILA, ANGELA - University Of Texas At Arlington

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2024
Publication Date: 2/24/2024
Citation: Kiniry, J.R., Williams, A.S., Jacot, J., Avila, A. 2024. Eastern gamagrass model simulation parameters for diverse ecotypes: Leaf area index, light extinction coefficient, and radiation use efficiency. Agronomy. 14(3). Article 441. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030441.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030441

Interpretive Summary: Eastern gamagrass is deep rooted, highly palatable and native to the eastern half of the United States. It is tolerant of flooding and drought. In this study we developed plant parameters important for describing different ecotypes of this grass. In the field we measured biomass, leaf area index (LAI) and how efficiently leaves intercept light and produce biomass. Average LAI was 1.06 and leaves were very efficient in intercepting light. There was a wide range in the values for how plants use intercepted light to produce biomass. Because of its ability to survive and grow in flooded conditions, it is promising for such marginal sites. These results are an important step to simulate different ecotypes of this grass with computer simulation models.

Technical Abstract: Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) is a deep rooted, highly palatable native grass for the eastern half of the United States. It is tolerant of flooding and drought. Objective of this study was to develop plant parameters important for modeling different ecotypes of this grass. Data measured in the field included biomass, leaf area index (LAI), light extinction coefficient (k), and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Average LAI was 1.06 and average k was –1.05. The power response of k to LAI offers an interesting new approach to simulating light interception throughout the range of LAI values. The RUE values ranged from 1.16 to 4.31 g per MJ highlights the immense diversity of eastern gamagrass. Because of its ability to survive and grow in flooded conditions, it is promising for such marginal sites. These results are an important step to simulate the different ecotypes of this grass with process-based models.