Phosphorus Supply and Growth Rate in Species of Agrostis L.

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Abstract
The rate of phosphorus supply to seedlings of Agrostis spp. was varied from low to high rates. In both soil and water culture experiments A. setacea grew more slowly than the more vigorous species, A. canina and A. stolonifera. A. setacea was able to maintain an exponential increase in dry weight at low rates of P supply for periods of at least 10 weeks, whereas A. canina and A. stolonifera could not do so. The same rate of P supply was necessary to maintain vigorous growth of both A. setacea and A. stolonifera. Where rates of P supply are low the inherently slow growth rate of A. setacea may be an adaptive feature of great significance. In a brief discussion the general applicability of this suggestion to other species in poor soils is examined.