The influence of defoliation and nitrogen on the regrowth of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth). 2. Etiolated growth and non-structural carbohydrate, total-N and nitrate-N content.

Data are given on the chemical composition of Rhodes grass cv. Common grown in a heated glasshouse [see HbA 42, 1910]. Plants given high N (8.29 meq/100 g soil) contained about 30% less carbohydrate in the stubble and roots than those given low N (1.43 meq/100g). The carbohydrate content of plants cut every 28 days was generally lower than that of plants cut every 14 days. Amounts of etiolated growth in darkness after cutting were positively correlated with the carbohydrate level in the roots and in the stubble. The percentage of tillers exhibiting regrowth in darkness increased linearly up to about 60% with increase in the amount of etiolated growth. Contents of total N in roots and in stubble were almost double at the high rate of N. Amounts of nitrate as a proportion of total N were about 12% in low-N plants and up to 47% in high-N plants. The nitrate contents of shoots, stubble and roots were negatively correlated with the carbohydrate levels in each of these tissues. The overall difference in carbohydrate level between shoots, stubble and roots was relatively small. It was concluded that Rhodes grass had a limited capacity to accumulate reserve material when grown under conditions favouring rapid growth. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission