HERBAGE YIELD, PROTEIN-CONTENT, AND CARBOHYDRATE RESERVES IN GULF CORDGRASS (SPARTINA-SPARTINAE)

Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae [Trin.] Merr.) is a highly producti ve bunchgrass that dominates thousands of hectares of marshlands along the Gulf coast. Herbage yield, protein content, and carbohydrate rese rve patterns were studied for the species for 18 months on the Welder Wildlife Refuge on the central Texas coast. Plots were clipped at 1-mo nth intervals at 10- and 20-cm stubble heights. Herbage yield and prot ein content were greater for plants clipped at 10-cm stubble height as compared with those clipped at 20 cm. Total nonstructural carbohydrat e reserve levels in both stem bases and roots were also greater in pla nts clipped at the lower stubble height. Lowest carbohydrate reserve l evels were recorded during periods of active growth. Results suggested that gulf cordgrass can withstand monthly removal of herbage to a hei ght of 10 cm for a period of at least 18 months without adverse effect s. The most sensitive periods for herbage removal, based on TNC and pr otein levels, were late summer and early fall.