New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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GROWTH RATES AND POTENTIAL FOR SPREAD OF ALPINE CARPET GRASS, CHIONOCHLOA (DANTHONIA) AUSTRALIS

M. J. Wraight*

Forest Research Institute, New Zealand Forest Service

Abstract Carpet grass (Chionochloa australis) is confined to the northern mountains of the South Island. It possesses many attributes of value in soil and water conservation at high altitudes. Studies on selected sites of growth rates and potential for spread show that: (a) Each tiller adds an average of 2-05 leaves per annum; (b) The growth rate of stems ranges from 0-16 in. per annum in closed swards in a normal habitat, to 0'79in. per annum on an unusually favourable site; (c) Main stems branch, on average, once every 4-3 to 11-2 years, according to site; (d) Total dry weight of leaves, stems, and litter approximates 53,000 lb per acre in a normal closed sward; (e) Annual production of leaf dry matter in a fully established closed sward is about 2,390 lb per acre. Thus, although total dry weight and annual production of normal, fully established swards are high, rates of leaf increase per tiller, of stem elongation, and of branching are so low as to preclude this species from having value in revegetation work, particularly if transplanting methods have to be used.

N.Z. J. Bot 3: 171-79
(Received for publication 22 February 1965)

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