Effect of precipitation on seed yield of Cleistogenes songorlca

摘要

Cleistogenes songorica is one of the most important native perennial grasses in the northwest desert grassland of China (including Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Ningxia, Gansu and Xinjiang), which grows well on sandy soil with yearly rainfall 40 to 200 mm on average. Precipitation is an important factor limiting seed yield in arid and semiarid areas. The quantity and distribution of precipitation substantially affect grassland plant development and biomass (Knapp era/ 2001, Bai et al 2008). Inevitably, inter-annual precipitations may influence sexual reproduction and seed yield in perennial grasses. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of precipitation on seed yield of C. songorica.