Competition between Grasses during Establishment and Early Growth II. Effects of Early Germination in Determining Competition Relationships

The effect of early germination in determining the competitive relationships between Grasslands Nui perennial ryegrass, Grasslands Matua prairie grass and Grasslands Apanui cocksfoot was determined by making up micro swards with seedlings obtained from seeds sown at the same time transplanted according to the replacement series principle. The results illustrated that early emergence had no apparent effect in determining the competitive hierarchy established between these species. The competitive relationships seem to be determined by initial seedling size and the capacity to accumulate greater quantities of dry matter. The species were also seen to compete for similar growth resources during the establishment phase.