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Developmental characteristics of grass varieties in relation to their herbage production

5. The effects of nitrogen treatment on the relative development of upper and lower internodes of mature reproductive tillers of Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. Davies
I. Davies
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth
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Summary

The length and weight per unit length of individual internodes of mature reproductive tillers of S. 24 and S. 23 perennial ryegrass and S. 345 and S. 143 cocksfoot were examined under three manurial treatments. At the lower level of nitrogen application successive internodes generally increased in length from the base upward. With additional nitrogen there was an increased proportion of tillers in which internodes near the base of the stem were longer than those immediately above them; lateheading tillers were most affected.

Nitrogen increased the weight per unit length of upper internodes of all four varieties; the effect was most marked in S. 23 ryegrass. In the two ryegrasses, nitrogen reduced the weight per unit length of the basal internode.

At maturity the upper internodes had lower dry-matter digestibility values than the lower. Nitrogen reduced the dry-matter digestibility of upper and lower internodes.

The results are discussed in relation to selection criteria in variety synthesis.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 94 , Issue 1 , February 1980 , pp. 125 - 136
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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