Responses of California Annual Grassland Species to Variations in Moisture and Fertilization

The responses to fertilization and moisture of several of the principal grass species of the California annual type were measured in a field study in Southern California. Treatment plots were established in the grassland to examine the responses to a complete fertilizer. Comparisons were also made of grassland samples obtained in 2 years with different precipitation regimes. Fertilization increased the shoot weight of all species, but yield was increased for the brome species only. Oat species decreased in yield and numbers of shoots/m2. In shoot weight the bromes had a similar but lesser response to additional moisture than to fertilization. With additional moisture the oat species increased in yield and numbers of shoots/m2, but decreased in shoot weight. It is suggested that range management policies which increase nutrients or moisture might lead to an alteration of the composition of the annual grasslands.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202