COMPOSITION OF THE ROOTS AND STUBBLE OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS FOLLOWING PARTIAL DEFOLIATION

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Changes in the carbohydrate content of roots and stubble of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) grown in gravel cultures in the greenhouse were detd. at intervals during a recovery period of 36 days following clipping to the 1 1/2-inch level. Water-soluble carbohydrates including glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructosan decreased rapidly for several weeks and then increased. Cellulose, hydrolyzable pentosan, and lignin did not show any decrease. The soluble carbo-hydrates alone gave evidence of being reserve substances. Plants placed in darkness after clipping underwent changes in composition similar to those in light except that soluble carbohydrates continued to decrease almost to the point of exhaustion. There is evidence that hydrolysis of proteins took place in plants placed in darkness.