开花期枣树茎流与气象因子的关系

阿克苏地区农田灌溉水资源利用率相对较低,大多采用漫灌为主、滴灌为辅,加上环境干旱、水资源紧缺已成为制约当地红枣种植业发展的主要因素,因此迫切需要寻找新型节水灌溉方法。该研究采用美国Dynamax公司生产的Flow-32包裹式茎流计对茎流速率进行连续监测,并在样地内安装HOBO小气候仪同步获取气象数据,将所得数据进行对比分析,探讨了不同灌溉方式下枣树茎流速率的变化规律以及与气象因子之间的关系。结果表明：两种灌溉方式下茎流连日变化呈现明显的昼夜变化规律,茎流速率均为单峰曲线且夜间茎流活动现象明显,早晨茎流启动时间W1早于W20.5 h,峰值前后W1和W2枣树茎流均出现较小幅度的“峰值群”,W1和 W2峰值出现时间分别为13：30－14：30和13：00－14：30,峰值大小分别为2133.33~2724.93 g·h-1和2234.11~2689.40 g·h-1;茎流日累积量变化过程曲线均为“S”形,但W1日茎流总量大于W2;茎流速率变化曲线均与太阳辐射和温度呈现正相关,与空气湿度呈现负相关,与风速相关性较差;太阳辐射表观波形变化趋势与两种灌溉方式下茎流变化曲线均存在异同,启动时间早于W1约0.5 h,W2约1 h,但峰值出现时间却晚于W1和W2。通过相关分析,太阳辐射均为主要影响因子,建立两种灌溉方式下液流速率与气象因子的多元线性模型,经过回归系数和相关系数检验,W1和W2多元线性回归方程均达到了显著水平。该研究结果为新型灌溉方式W1的实用性和优越性提供了科学依据。     

滴灌水氮耦合对欧美108杨林木生长和土壤氮素的影响

采用地表滴灌技术,田间设计9个水氮耦合处理,以不灌溉不施肥为对照(CK),9个耦合处理由3个灌溉水平(灌溉土壤水势起始阈值为-75、-50、-25 kPa)和3个施N水平(150、300、450 g·tree^-1·a^-1)组合,于2012和2013年2个生长季的滴灌水氮耦合措施后,研究耦合措施对欧美108杨林木胸径、树高和蓄积量的年增量及0～60 cm土层全氮含量的影响.结果表明: 水氮耦合措施可显著促进108杨林木生长并有效提高林地生产力,耦合措施第一年,9个耦合处理中高水高肥处理(土壤水势-25 kPa+施N量450 g·tree^-1·a^-1)使108杨蓄积年增量达到11.54 m³·hm^-2·a^-1,相比CK的8.01 m³·hm^-2·a^-1提高了44.1%,耦合措施第二年,中水高肥处理(土壤水势-50 kPa+施N量450 g·tree^-1·a^-1)使108杨蓄积年增量达到27.85 m³·hm^-2·a^-1,较CK的20.48 m³·hm^-2·a^-1提高36.0%.连续的水氮耦合措施显著提高了林地0～20 cm土层全N含量,耦合措施第一和第二年高水高肥处理各土层全N含量分别比CK高出12.3%～59.4%和71.1%～81.1%.108杨胸径和树高增量与土壤全N含量呈显著正相关,施N水平和水氮交互作用对林木生长和土壤全N含量具有显著的影响,而灌溉水平的影响不显著.综合表明,滴灌水氮耦合措施可通过改善林地土壤肥力,尤其是浅土层全氮含量来有效促进林木生长并提高林地生产力.     

石羊河流域干旱荒漠绿洲区不同滴灌模式下葡萄茎液流变化及其与环境因子的关系

研究了石羊河流域干旱荒漠绿洲区交替滴灌（ADI）、固定滴灌（FDI）和常规滴灌（CDI）模式下葡萄茎液流的变化规律及其与气象因子和土壤含水率的相关关系.结果表明：研究区葡萄茎液流表现出与太阳辐射同步的昼夜变化节律;新梢生长期和开花期CDI处理的茎液流量显著大于其它两个处理;影响瞬时茎液流的主要气象因子是太阳辐射和气温,日茎液流量与平均气温和风速具有线性相关关系;不同灌溉方式下葡萄茎液流与气象因素的相关程度依次为：CDI>ADI>FDI;葡萄日茎液流量与参考作物蒸发蒸腾量（ET₀）呈显著线性相关关系.与CDI相比,ADI节省50%水量,而茎液流总量仅降低6.56%,且其葡萄茎液流和水分传导具有明显的补偿效应.     

膜下滴灌水氮调控对南疆棉花产量及水氮利用率的影响

为探明水氮调控对膜下滴灌棉花的生长特性、产量构成因素以及水氮利用效率的影响,设置了3个灌溉水量和5个氮素水平进行大田棉花膜下滴灌试验.结果表明: 随着灌溉水量的增加,棉花的株高、主茎叶数、果枝数和叶面积指数显著增加,棉花叶、茎干物质积累增加,但抑制了根系生长,与低(4950 mm·hm^-2)和高(6750 mm·hm^-2)灌水量处理相比,中灌水量(5850 mm·hm^-2)处理平均单株有效铃数和单铃质量分别增加0.96、0.4个和0.22、0.11 g.与其他施氮处理相比,施氮量为300 kg·hm^-2时棉花茎直径显著增加,促进了棉花蕾、铃和根系的发育,而且在灌水量为5850 mm·hm^-2条件下,棉花干物质由营养器官向生殖器官的分配比灌水量为4950和6750 mm·hm^-2处理分别增加5.1%和29.6%.灌溉水量对棉花产量有显著影响,对衣分率影响不显著,而施氮量对棉花产量和衣分率都有一定的影响,但灌溉水量过低会抑制氮肥增产效应的发挥.在本试验条件下,灌水量为5850 mm·hm^-2、施氮量为300 kg·hm^-2时,棉花生长健壮,株型结构优化,显著促进了干物质向生殖器官的运转,有效铃数、单铃质量和衣分增加,产量达到最高(6992 kg·hm^-2),水分利用效率和氮肥利用率分别达1.45 kg·m^-3和45.9%.     

水氮互作对小麦土壤水分利用和茎中果聚糖含量的影响

通过田间试验,以强筋小麦济麦20为材料,设置3个施氮水平：0 kg·hm^-2（N₀）、180 kg·hm^-2（N₁）、240 kg·hm^-2（N₂）;4个灌水处理：不灌水（W₀）、底墒水+拔节水+开花水（W₁）、底墒水+冬水+拔节水+开花水(W₂)、底墒水+冬水+拔节水+开花水+灌浆水(W₃),每次灌水量为60 mm,研究水氮互作对土壤水分含量、旗叶光合速率、倒二茎中果聚糖含量及氮肥和水分利用效率的影响.结果表明：施氮水平为180 kg·hm^-2处理的旗叶光合速率和倒二茎中果聚糖含量较高,籽粒产量、氮肥表观利用效率、氮肥农学利用率和水分利用效率最高;施氮水平为240 kg·hm^-2处理的茎中果聚糖含量较高;不施氮（N₀）或施氮过多（N₂）均不利于小麦籽粒产量、氮肥和水分利用效率的提高.W₁水分处理促进了倒二茎中果聚糖的积累和向籽粒的转运,有利于产量的提高.180 kg·hm^-2施氮水平配合灌溉底墒水+拔节水+开花水的水氮交互处理（N₁W₁）具有较高的籽粒产量及较高的氮肥和水分利用效率,在此基础上增加施氮量或灌水量,小麦旗叶光合速率和倒二茎中果聚糖含量升高,籽粒产量无显著变化或降低,氮肥和水分利用效率降低.     

再生水灌溉对苜蓿生长发育和品质的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了再生水不同灌溉方式对苜蓿生长发育和品质的影响.结果表明：与清水灌溉相比,再生水能显著增加苜蓿的株高、侧枝数及产草量,但对苜蓿叶面积有一定的抑制作用;再生水灌溉、再生水与清水混灌和轮灌使苜蓿体内可溶性蛋白含量分别增加78.43%、83.68%、72.53%,但再生水灌溉不利于苜蓿可溶性糖的累积.再生水灌溉下,苜蓿植株体内的Ca、Mg含量较清水灌溉分别增加了27.78%、26.61%;再生水灌溉及混灌下,苜蓿体内的Fe含量较清水灌溉分别降低28.71%、10.09%;再生水灌溉、轮灌和混灌下苜蓿地上部Cd含量较清水灌溉分别增加98.6%、89.5%和59.0%,但苜蓿体内重金属Pb、Cd含量仍低于国家卫生标准（GB 13078—2001）规定限量值.说明再生水是苜蓿可利用的灌溉
资源,但其长期效应仍需进一步研究.        

小麦灌水时期与灌水量对花后果聚糖积累与转运及水分利用效率的影响

于2004-2005年和2005-2006年冬小麦生长季,在山东泰安和兖州进行田间试验,研究不同灌水时期和灌水量处理对冬小麦开花后倒二节间果聚糖积累与转运和水分利用效率的影响.结果表明：全生育期不灌水促进了灌浆后期倒二节间贮藏果聚糖向籽粒的转运.在拔节期和开花期各灌水60 mm,可提高开花后旗叶的光合速率和同化物输入籽粒量及其对籽粒的贡献率,拔节期、开花期和灌浆期各灌水60 mm或拔节期和开花期各灌水90 mm,灌浆后期旗叶的光合速率显著降低,营养器官花前贮藏同化物转运量及其对籽粒的贡献率升高,花后同化物输入籽粒量及其对籽粒的贡献率降低,灌浆后期倒二节间的聚合度（DP）≥4、DP=3果聚糖滞留量增加,不利于果聚糖向籽粒的转运.两个生长季中,拔节期和开花期各灌水60mm处理的小麦籽粒产量较高,水分利用效率最高.拔节期、开花期和灌浆期各灌水60 mm或拔节期和开花期各灌水90 mm,小麦籽粒产量无显著变化,水分利用效率降低.     

沙柳和柠条茎水力学特性对模拟降雨改变的响应

利用模拟降雨控制试验(对照、降雨增加45%和减少50%),研究了黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带典型灌木沙柳和柠条茎水力学特性对模拟降雨改变的响应,以揭示两种灌木对未来降雨改变的适应性.结果表明: 沙柳茎比导水率(K_s)、比叶导水率(K_l)和Huber值对增水有显著响应,而对干旱无显著响应;柠条黎明前和正午叶水势、水分传输效率(K_s及K_l)对干旱有显著响应,但对增水无响应.两种灌木不同处理间抵抗栓塞能力无显著差异,沙柳不同处理间正午原位栓塞程度亦无显著差异,而柠条干旱处理正午原位栓塞程度显著增大.沙柳增水处理导管直径和导管面积占边材面积的比例显著增加,干旱导致沙柳导管密度显著增大,水力直径变小;柠条增水处理的木质部结构无明显改变,干旱导致其导管密度和木材密度显著增加.说明增水提升了沙柳的水力功能,而长期干旱显著降低了柠条水力功能,预测在未来气候旱化条件下,柠条的水力适应性可能不如沙柳.     

Induction of rehydration and bud break by irrigation or rain in decidous trees of a tropical dry forest in Costa Rica

Summary Clusters of 2–4 bare, deciduous hardwood trees and woody vines in a dry upland forest in Costa Rica were surrounded by scaffolding and rehydration was induced during the dry season by irrigation of 9–50 m² plots with 200 mm water. The resulting changes in water status preceding bud break were monitored. Following irrigation, stem water potentials increased from < –4 MPa to about –1.5 MPa within 24 h and to > –0.3 MPa within 48 h. Rehydration of stem tissues by lateral transport, measured as an increase in electric conductivity, continued for 4–8 days. Terminal flower buds in Tabebuia ochracea began to expand 48 h after irrigation and trees were in full bloom 4 days later. In all experimental species, lateral vegetative buds began to expand 5–7 days after irrigation and leaves were fully expanded 2 weeks later. After the first rains of the rainy season (100 mm in 48 hr) all trees in the dry forest rehydrated and leaves emerged in synchrony slightly faster than after irrigation. In response to rain or irrigation drought-stressed tropical hardwood trees thus rehydrated at rates similar to those of desert succulents and their development resumed much faster than that of deciduous cold-temperate trees in spring.     

干旱胁迫下菊芋各器官生物量及物质分配规律

以红皮和白皮菊芋为研究材料,通过设置不同的灌水梯度,研究了干旱胁迫对菊芋各器官生物量及物质分配规律的影响。试验结果表明,干旱胁迫降低了红皮和白皮菊芋各器官的生物量;其中,50%灌水条件下两种菊芋的总生物量、地上生物量和地下生物量显著高于10%、20%、30%和40%;红皮菊芋根冠比随着灌水量的减少呈现逐渐增加的变化趋势,白皮菊芋呈现"升-降-升"的变化趋势,且在相同水分处理条件下红皮菊芋茎叶比和根冠比均高于白皮;红皮菊芋随着灌水量的降低根系贡献率呈现逐渐增加的变化趋势,叶片贡献率、块茎贡献率、花贡献率、叶柄贡献率、茎秆贡献率均呈现逐渐降低的变化趋势,白皮菊芋块茎贡献率、花贡献率随灌水量的降低呈现逐渐降低的变化趋势,其他各器官的贡献率随灌水量降低没有规律可循。     

喷灌对冬小麦植株氮素积累运转及籽粒蛋白质含量的影响

以百农矮抗58为试验材料,以地面灌溉为对照,采用大田试验的方法,研究了喷灌对冬小麦植株氮素积累运转及蛋白质含量的影响.结果表明： 拔节期喷灌条件下冬小麦植株氮素积累量与地面灌溉条件下相比没有显著差异;孕穗期至成熟期,喷灌条件下冬小麦植株氮素积累量显著高于地面灌溉条件.喷灌条件下叶片、茎鞘、颖壳开花前贮藏氮素的运转量和对籽粒氮素的贡献率均大于地面灌溉条件;而开花后同化氮素对籽粒的贡献率较地面灌溉条件降低.喷灌条件下冬小麦籽粒的蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量较地面灌溉条件显著提高.表明喷灌可明显调节冬小麦氮素物质运转和籽粒蛋白质积累.     

木薯蔗糖合成、转运与块根淀粉积累关系研究

该研究以淀粉含量不同的两个木薯品种(辐选01和华南124)为材料,通过测定各品种不同生育期叶、茎和根的蔗糖含量及块根淀粉含量,分析了蔗糖合成、转运和块根淀粉积累过程的相关性.结果表明:与华南124相比,在整个生育期内辐选01叶、茎的蔗糖含量均较高,块根蔗糖含量在块根膨大初期以前高于华南124,块根膨大初期以后则相反.在木薯的整个生育期,与辐选01相比,华南124的淀粉合成量和淀粉合成速率均较低.叶和茎蔗糖含量的变化规律与淀粉合成速率的变化规律相反,即块根淀粉积累明显加快时叶和茎的蔗糖含量略呈下降趋势,而块根淀粉合成减慢时叶、茎的蔗糖含量又开始上升.随着生育期的延后,块根蔗糖含量越来越低.在块根形成初期,蔗糖含量最高的组织部位为块根,其次为茎秆,最低的是叶片;而在块根成熟期时则相反,即蔗糖含量最高的部位是叶片,其次为茎杆,块根的蔗糖含量最小.相关性分析结果表明,木薯叶片蔗糖含量与块根淀粉含量呈显著的正相关;茎秆蔗糖含量与块根淀粉积累量呈不显著的正相关;块根蔗糖含量与淀粉积累量呈显著的负相关.由此可见,木薯叶、茎和根蔗糖与块根淀粉积累过程密切相关,其中叶片合成蔗糖的能力与块根利用蔗糖的能力在淀粉的积累过程中发挥关键作用.该研究结果为木薯的生产选育与高效栽培提供了理论依据.     

Nitrogen incorporation and remobilization in different shoot components of field-grown winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) as affected by rate of nitrogen application and irrigation

The seasonal course of nitrogen uptake, incorporation and remobilization in different shoot components of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) was studied under field conditions including three rates of ¹⁵N labelled nitrogen application (0, 100 or 200 kg N ha^-1) and two irrigation treatments (rainfed or watered at a deficit of 20 mm). The total amount of irrigation water applied was 260 mm, split over 13 occasions in a 7-week-period ranging from 1 week before onset of flowering until 4 weeks after flowering.Nitrogen application and irrigation increased plant growth and nitrogen accumulation. Irrespective of N and irrigation treatment more than 50% of total shoot N was present in the stem when flowering started. At the end of flowering, pod walls were the main N store containing about 30–40% of shoot N. The quantities of N remobilized from stems and pod walls amounted in all treatments to about 70% of the N present in these organs at mid-flowering. At harvest, stem and pod walls each contained about 10% of total shoot N, the remaining 80% being incorporated into seeds. The main component contributing to the response of seed N accumulation to nitrogen application and irrigation was pods in axillary racemes. Up to 20 kg N ha^-1, corresponding to about 10% of final shoot N content, was lost from the plants by leaf drop.Irrigation increased the recovery at harvest of applied N from 30% to about 50%, while the level of N application did not affect the N recovery. ¹⁵N labelled (fertilizer derived) nitrogen constituted a greater proportion of the N content in old leaves than in young leaves and increased with age in the former, but not in the latter. Relative to soil N, fertilizer derived N also contributed more to the N content of vegetative than to that of reproductive shoot components. Small net changes in shoot N content after flowering reflected a balance between N import and export, leading to continuous dilution of ¹⁵N labelled N with unlabelled N.     

Evaluation of drought response of two poplar clones (Populus x canadensis Monch 'I-214' and P. deltoides Marsh. 'Dvina') through high resolution analysis of stem growth

Different irrigation effects on stem radius variation (DeltaR) and maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) in Populus deltoides 'Dvina' and Populusxcanadensis 'I-214' were studied to assess differences in drought tolerance between clones. One-year-old trees growing in concrete tanks were submitted to two irrigation regimes (natural rainfall and irrigation) from 24 June to 10 August, and DeltaR was monitored by automatic point dendrometers. Independently of the irrigation regime, 'Dvina' showed a higher stem radial increment than 'I-214'. In both clones, the first response to changed soil water content was a significant increase in MDS, whilst DeltaR decreased about 20 d later when pre-dawn leaf water potential (Psipd) dropped below -0.4 MPa. However, they displayed different strategies to overcome drought. 'Dvina' maintained a positive DeltaR for longer than 'I-214', which had lower leaf Psipd and greater leaf abscission at the end of the drought period. After irrigation resumed, 'Dvina' showed a higher capacity to restore stem growth. 'I-214' was probably unable to recover secondary growth because of higher leaf abscission during drought stress and the production of newly expanded leaves during recovery. It is concluded that the larger radial growth of 'Dvina' derived from a better water use (carbon uptake versus water loss) than 'I-214' under limited water availability.     

冶炼厂污灌区土壤铜和锌污染与土壤酶活性

通过对冶炼厂污灌区土壤和水稻中Cu、Zn含量分析以及土壤酶活性的测定,研究了距冶炼厂不同距离土壤Cu、Zn含量状况、水稻对它们的吸收和分配以及土壤酶活性的变化.结果表明,冶炼厂造成了周围农田土壤的Cu、Zn污染,其中Cu污染较严重,距离冶炼厂100 m处的全量和提取态Cu分别为182.4和81.91 mg·kg^-1,是对照的10.3和3倍.污灌区水稻各器官Cu、Zn的分布规律是,Cu:根＞茎叶＞米;Zn:茎叶＞根＞米.Zn在水稻体内的移动能力大于Cu,Cu主要累积在水稻根部,根可作为一种屏障阻碍Cu向地上部分迁移,使地上部分免受其害.水稻茎叶Cu含量和土壤中Cu的浓度密切相关.对蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性测定表明,脲酶活性变化最显著,其活性与土壤中Cu的浓度显著相关,建议用脲酶活性作为污灌区Cu污染指标.     

Effect of the water status within a tree on tracheid morphogenesis in Cryptomeria japonica D. Don

Three-year-old cloned trees of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don growing in a growth cabinet, in which the temperature, relative humidity and light conditions could be controlled automatically, were irrigated every day or every 3 days. The xylem pressure potential of the leaves was measured using a pressure chamber. The tangential strain of each stem was monitored with a strain gauge. After about 1 month the trees were cut, and the anatomical features of tracheids and cambial cells were observed. In trees irrigated every day, the tangential strain of the stems increased gradually with a regular diurnal pattern. On the other hand, in trees irrigated every 3 days, both the maximum and the minimum tangential strains within a stem increased every 3 days. In both irrigation conditions, the tangential strain showed a minimum value immediately before irrigation, and a maximum value around the onset of light within a day. The fluctuation of xylem pressure potential was similar to that of the tangential strain in both irrigation conditions. Stems of trees irrigated every 3 days shrank and swelled more than those irrigated every day with the same water potential change. The diameter of tracheids produced during the experimental period was larger in trees irrigated every day and smaller in trees irrigated every 3 days than that before the experiment. The number of cell layers of cells in the cell expanding zone and the cambial zone, and the tracheid diameter in the cell expanding zone were smaller in trees irrigated every 3 days than in trees irrigated every day. Received: 1 February 1999 / Accepted: 17 June 1999     

水钾互作对高产夏玉米茎秆结构和功能的影响

以郑单958(ZD958)为试验材料,采用干旱棚池栽试验,研究了水钾互作对夏玉米茎秆结构和功能的影响.结果表明： 灌水可显著提高茎秆的伤流量,施钾在一定程度上可以缓解水分缺乏对茎秆伤流量的影响,在灌水2250 m³·hm^-2时施钾可显著提高各生育时期茎秆的伤流量.水钾互作可显著提高茎秆穿刺强度和茎粗,在灌水2250 m³·hm^-2时施钾处理的穿刺强度和茎粗较不施钾处理分别高46.0%和36.4%,施钾条件下灌水2250 m³·hm^-2较灌水450 m³·hm^-2处理的穿刺强度和茎粗分别高30.7%和8.6%.灌水2250 m³·hm^-2时施钾显著提高了茎秆维管束数目、面积及维管束内厚壁细胞、皮层和硬皮组织厚度.即水钾互作能够显著提高夏玉米植株的抗倒伏能力,本试验条件下,施180 kg K₂O·hm^-2、适当增加灌水量可显著提高夏玉米抗倒伏能力和产量.     

Morphological architecture of Actinocephalus (Koern.) Sano (Eriocaulaceae-Poales)

Actinocephalus exhibits perhaps more diversity in habit than any other genus of Eriocaulaceae. This variation is largely a result of differences in the arrangement of the paraclades. Based on the analysis of stem architecture of all 25 species of Actinocephalus, the following patterns were established: (1) leaf rosette, with no elongated axis, instead the axillary paraclades originating directly from the short aerial stem, (2) rosette axis continuing into an elongated axis with spirally arranged paraclades, (3) an elongated axis originating from a rhizome, with ramified paraclades, and (4) an elongated axis originating from a short aerial stem, with paraclades arranged in a subwhorl. The elongated axis exhibits indeterminate growth only in pattern 4. Patterns 3 and 4 are found exclusively in Actinocephalus; pattern 1 occurs in many other genera of Eriocaulaceae, while pattern 2 is also found in Syngonanthus and Paepalanthus. Anatomically, each stem structure (i.e., paraclade, elongated axis, short aerial stem, rhizome) is thickened in a distinctive way and this can be used to distinguish them. Specifically, elongated axes and paraclades lack thickening, thickening of short aerial stems results from the primary thickening meristem and/or the secondary thickening meristem. Thickening of rhizomes results from the activity of the primary thickening meristem.     

塑料大棚渗灌灌水下限对番茄生长和产量的影响

利用土壤水分张力计监测土壤水分吸力的变化,以灌水时30cm土层的土壤水分吸力表示渗灌灌水下限,研究灌水下限为10、16、25、40和63kPa时对塑料大棚番茄生长和产量的影响．结果表明,番茄株高、生物量分别随灌水下限的增大而减小．番茄的产量和水分利用率与灌水下限间的关系曲线为抛物线,而茎粗／株高比与灌水下限间的关系曲线为三次多项式曲线．灌水下限不同,番茄的根／冠比(R／S)动态不同,番茄根系与株冠的生长状况不同．灌水下限在25～33kPa时,番茄植株生长健壮,根冠比例协调,产量大,水分利用率高．此指标作为渗灌灌水下限,灌水时土壤水分的含量比常规灌水低,灌水次数少,有利于提高保护地番茄栽培的水分利用率和劳动生产率．     

Effects of moisture,nitrogen, grass competition and simulated browsing on the survival and growth of Acacia karroo seedlings

The effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilization, grass competition and clipping were investigated for one growing season at the research farm of the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the experiment was to assess the short‐term performance of Acacia karroo seedlings under different environmental conditions and the implications of such factors on the long‐term recruitment of plant species in savanna rangelands. There were no significant treatment effects on the survival of A. karroo seedlings. Using stem length and basal diameter as growth parameters, it was observed that irrigation enhanced both variables, while nitrogen fertilization did not have any significant effects. Clipping, grass competition and their interaction greatly suppressed the growth of the seedlings. Clipping increased the mean stem length when they were irrigated and fertilized. Control and fertilized plants had the highest stem length in the absence of grass competition, while grass competition combined with clipping resulted in the lowest stem length in both irrigated and nonirrigated plants. It was concluded that in the presence of grass competition, controlled browsing could be a viable solution to the problem of bush encroachment in savanna rangelands.