A Non-Destructive Method for the Measurement of Growth in Grasses in Nutrient Solutions

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Abstract
The meanings that can be most usefully attached to ‘growth’ in grassland plants and the measurement of growth are discussed. The difficulties associated with frequent destructive sampling are considered. A non-destructive technique for frequent measurements of the separate live weights of the shoots and roots of grass swards grown in water culture is described. The live weights of the shoots and roots measured non-destructively were similar to the live weights of these fractions after dissection. Differences in total sward weight or in the proportion of root to shoot material due to sward age or defoliation did not affect the accuracy of the technique. The ease with which the changes in shoot and root weights could be measured at frequent intervals during a 28-d re-growth period was demonstrated in an experiment to compare the effects on sward growth of nitrogen deficits during the beginning and end of the growth period. In addition to the normally recorded treatment effects of nitrogen supply on shoot growth above cutting height, the data showed the live weight of the roots and shoots below cutting height at the beginning and end of the growth period. The technique made it possible to compare the growth rate trends due to treatments and the relationship between root and shoot growth during the re-growth period. The advantages of using a non-destructive technique to study growth in live plants are discussed.

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