The influence of clipping frequency on reserve carbohydrates and regrowth ofEragrostis curvula

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Abstract
Increasing the frequency of clipping over a 12 week period resulted in decreasing root and stubble weight at the end of the 12 week period. During the regrowth period, following the clipping treatment, the aerial dry matter production was found to increase with the more lenient treatments. The pattern of depletion and restoration of Total Available Carbohydrates (TAC) following clipping was found to conform to a U‐shaped curve, except where the initial TAC values were low. This pattern was found for the roots and stubble, whether expressed on an intensity of deposition or quantity of TAC basis. The degree of reduction in TAC during the first week of regrowth was found to be dependent on the level of TAC at the time of cutting, the higher the initial value the greater the reduction. The results indicate that reserve carbohydrates play an important role in regrowth, although the relationship is of relatively short duration.