FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Paspalum distichum | Knotgrass 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire probably topkills knotgrass.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Knotgrass sprouts from rhizomes following fire [21].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Prescribed fires were conducted annually in northern Florida on sites
where Paspalum species were present in the understory.  Some plots were
burned annually, some every second winter, some every third, some every
fourth, etc. through 12 winters.  Annual and biennial burning maintained
the highest grass covers; cover declined sharply starting with fires
every third year [21].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Fire can be used to reduce litter and increase plant vigor and
production in grasses.  Fire can also be used to maintain open
grasslands by preventing establishment of woody vegetation [21].

Related categories for Species: Paspalum distichum | Knotgrass