The Effect of Temperature on the Growth and Composition of the Stubble and Roots of Perennial Ryegrass

Abstract

In a previous paper (12) it was reported that, when perennial ryegrass (Olium perennjj .) was partly defoliated, the remaining plant parts underwent a progressive loss in soluble carbohydrates, namely sugars and fructosan, for a period of several weeks. This loss from the stubble and roots accompanied a rapid formation of new tissue above ground. When new top growth had produced sufficient photosynthetic area to manufacture its own organic matter, storage of soluble carbohydrates took place. When the percentages of the constituents were plotted against time as the abscissa, the soluble carbohydrates displayed a typical U-shaped curve. Many factors undoubtedly influence the slope and extent of this curve and some of these are being investigated. The present report concerns the relationship of temperature to the composition of ryegrass after cutting.The earlier paper included a review of the literature pertinent to the subject of reserves. Since then, other reports concerned with the analyses of forage grasses have verified the fact that soluble carbohydrates and starch function as reserves. More complex carbohydrates and those more resistant to hydrolysis, are not so regarded. Some of these recent papers are by BENEDICT and BROWN (2), PHILLIPS and SMITH (9), MCILVANIE (8), and WEINMANN (13,14,15,16). A review by Weinmann covers the general subject of reserves in grasses (17).Reserves in grasses are closely connected with the resistance of the plants to high temperatures. JULANDER (6) showed that grasses withstood limited exposures to a temperature of 480 C (118.40 F) when they had been previously hardened to dry conditions and had not been severely clipped. Both of these last conditions were conducive to the accumulation of reserve carbohydrates. He also noted differences between species, Kentucky bluegrass dying sooner at this temperature than Bermuda grass and a number of range grasses. At lower temperatures, grasses will survive for longer periods. According to HARRISON (5), Kentucky bluegrass grew very little at a constant temperature of 1000 F after having been defoliated, and died

Physiology of Defoliation and Regrowth

“…Sullivan and Sprague (1949) observed that as temperature increased from 50° F to 90° F, reduction in root weight following defoliation became greater. Sullivan and Sprague (1949) observed that as temperature increased from 50° F to 90° F, reduction in root weight following defoliation became greater.…”

Effect of Drought on Growth, Carbohydrates, and Soil Water Use by Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, and White Clover

“…In cool‐season grasses, the major storage carbohydrate, fructan, is stored in stem bases (Smith, 1967). Fructan concentrations increase in stem bases of cool‐ season grasses, particularly when temperatures decrease in autumn and following reproductive tiller production (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949; Brown and Blaser, 1965; Auda et al, 1966; Smith, 1968; Pollock and Jones, 1979). Fructan that accumulates in autumn is hydrolyzed during spring for production of reproductive tillers and after defoliation for regrowth (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949; Smith, 1967; Labhart et al, 1983; Gonzalez et al, 1989).…”

“…Fructan concentrations increase in stem bases of cool‐ season grasses, particularly when temperatures decrease in autumn and following reproductive tiller production (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949; Brown and Blaser, 1965; Auda et al, 1966; Smith, 1968; Pollock and Jones, 1979). Fructan that accumulates in autumn is hydrolyzed during spring for production of reproductive tillers and after defoliation for regrowth (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949; Smith, 1967; Labhart et al, 1983; Gonzalez et al, 1989). In response to drought, concentrations of fructan and other water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) decrease in both perennial ryegrass and tall fescue basal tissue (Norris and Thomas, 1982; Suzuki and Chatterton, 1993; Spollen and Nelson, 1994; Volaire and Gandoin, 1996).…”

Techniques to Increase Survival of New Highway Plantings Using Mycorrhizal Inoculation

“…The percentage of N was determined by Nesslerization, P by the ammoniura-phospho-molybdat e method with 1,2,4-amino napthol sulphonic acid as the reducing agent visual estimation using root staining and microscopy Giovanetti and Mosse, 1979 (Masiunas, 1981). However, best shoot growth of perennial ryegrass occurs below 25 C (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949;Beevers and 47 Cooper, 1978). Root growth of perennial ryegrass is best below 26.6 to 32.3 C (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949).…”

“…However, best shoot growth of perennial ryegrass occurs below 25 C (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949;Beevers and 47 Cooper, 1978). Root growth of perennial ryegrass is best below 26.6 to 32.3 C (Sullivan and Sprague, 1949).…”