The influence of temperature, light intensity and nitrate concentration on dry-matter production and chemical composition of Lolium perenne L.

Authors

  • T. Alberda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v13i4.17475

Abstract

In this trial the nitrate concentration of the nutrient solution affected the rate of DM production only when it fell below 0.2 mM. Between 0.2 and 1.5 mM the chemical composition of the plant was altered considerably but production was not affected. The soluble carbohydrate content, which reached a very high value in the above-ground parts when the nitrate supply was low, fell as the nitrate concentration rose; the same tendency was observed in the crude-fibre content and some unidentified components, probably hemicelluloses and pentosans. The organic-N fraction increased with increasing nitrate concentration in the above range. Above 1.5 mM the effect was virtually confined to the plant nitrate concentration, and there was always a definite relationship between the nitrate content and the soluble-carbohydrate content. The optimum temp, for DM production increased with increasing light intensity.-R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Published

1965-11-01

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Papers