The response of leaf calorific value and reducing sugar to stocking rate of Stipa breviflora

The use of calorific value as a measure of photosynthesis in plants and the ability of reducing sugars to directly supply energy to plants through redox reactions, both play an important role in plant regreening and regrowth. In this study, field sampling and laboratory analysis were used to analyze the calorific value, reducing sugar content, and dry matter weight of Stipa breviflora under different stocking rates; correlations between the variables were also assessed. Results showed that 1) Calorific value, reducing sugar content, and dry matter weight decreased consistently with increasing stocking rate. Heavy grazing also decreased significantly when compared with enclosure (P < 0.05). 2) Leaf calorific value and dry matter weight changed at a consistent rate throughout the study, with no variation between months; both increased significantly with time (P < 0.05). Reducing sugar content decreased initially and then increased. 3) There was a significant positive correlation between leaf calorific value and dry matter weight (P < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) between reducing sugar content and dry matter weight. These results demonstrate that enclosure promotes the transfer of energy from grasslands to S. breviflora and encourages growth and development, indicating its importance in maintaining and improving the desert grassland ecosystem.