Data for: Variation in the role of the flag leaf in the reproductive effort of semi-arid rangeland bunchgrasses

This is the complete data set used in the manuscript titled \"Variation in the role of the flag leaf in the reproductive effort of semi-arid rangeland bunchgrasses\". It includes the responses of total propagule production, percentage of filled and unfilled seeds, and filled seed-specific mass in response to seed head shading and flag leaf removal in two semi-arid perennial bunchgrasses, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and squirreltail wild rye (Elymus elemoides). Seasonal volumetric soil moisture data is also provided., Plants were randomly assigned into one of six flag leaf clipping/seed-head shading treatments: 1) flag leaves intact and seed-heads unshaded throughout the study (referred to hereafter as control plants), 2) flag leaves intact with post-anthesis seed-head shading, 3) pre-anthesis clipping flag without seed-head shading, 4) pre-anthesis clipping with post-anthesis seed-head shading, 5) post-anthesis clipping flag leaf without seed-head shading, and 6) post-anthesis clipping with seed-head shading. Flag leaves were clipped at the leaf collar sheathing the culm, and seed-head shading was provided by enclosing the post-anthesis seedhead in a mylar sheath. We tried to sample from 5 culms per plant, if at all possible, though culm breakage did occur; only culms that remained intact through the entire study period were used for our statistical analyses. As crested wheatgrass and squirreltail have distinct seasonal reproductive phenologies, these treatments were initiated at different dates thr..., , # Data for: Variation in the role of the flag leaf in the reproductive effort of semi-arid rangeland bunchgrasses

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h44j0zptg](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h44j0zptg)

This dataset contains the results of a field study examining the contributions of seed head and flag leaf photosynthesis to the reproductive effort of two arid-land perennial bunchgrasses. This was attained by removing flag leaves at two different periods over the reproductive period (before and after fertilization), as well as shading post-fertilized seed heads with mylar sheaths. Reproductive effort metrics include total propagule production (filled and unfilled seeds), percent filled seeds, as well as seed head average filled seed mass and filled seed specific mass (mass per unit surface area).

## Description of the data and file structure

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