A Comparison of the Abilities of Colonizers and Closed-Turf Species to Establish from Seed in Artificial Swards

Abstract

The seeds of a range of ruderals and closed-turf species were sown into 2.5 cm wide gaps in short turf (1 cm tall) and tall turf (8 cm tall) of Festuca rubra. Germination and seedling growth in these swards were compared with those on bare soil. Germination was not appreciably reduced in either group of species in short turf, but that of the ruderals was greatly reduced in tall turf. In short turf, seedlings of the ruderals were generally much less able than those of the closed-turf species to withstand the competition, which appeared to be effective mainly at the roots in this treatment. Seed weight had no significant effect on competitive ability. In tall turf, seedlings of both groups of species hardly grew at all. There was some indication that a potentially high relative growth rate may be a disadvantage to seedlings establishing in tall turf. The importance of tolerance of competition in young seedlings is discussed.