The Effect of Mowing on Regeneration of Taraxacum Officinale in Planted Commnities

Abstract

(1) Recently, therd have been attempts to make amenity grassland rich in wild flowers. The aim of this study is to clarify the regeneration processes of Taraxacum officinale in planted communities, which were repeatedly mowed at different time intervals (at every two (2W), four (4W), eight (8W), twenty-four (24W) weeks) and at different heights (0cm and 5cm above ground).(2) The photosynthetic organ was reproduced within a week even if the above ground part was removed by 0cm mowing. The root biomass decreased in the same period. This suggests that the production of the photosynthetic organ was formed using the substance stored in the root. The root biomass did not decrease in 5cm mowing. The root biomass of all treatments, except 2W-0cm mowing treatment, became larger than the initial biomass at the end of the fourth week. It means that photosynthate was brought back into root systems. Such regeneration ability of T. officinale suggests that it is suitable for amenity grassland management with mowing.(3) Growth rates of plants (increase of above ground biomass/week) in all treatments, except that of 2W-0cm treatment, nearly equaled that of control (24W-0cm or 24W-5cm). The above ground biomass of 8W-0cm and 8W-5cm recovered to the levels of control biomass. The present investigation revealed that T. officinale has a strong ability survive frequent mowings.(4) The flowering of T. officinale received no harmful effects from periodically repeated mowings. During the experiment, T. officinale continued to bloom for a long period.