Response of Populations of Lolium perenne cv. S 23 with Contrasting Rates of Dark Respiration to Nitrogen Supply and Defoliation Regime 2. Grown as Mixtures

Two populations of perennial ryegrass cv. S 23, selected forcontrasting rates of mature leaf tissue respiration, were grownin 50: 50 replacement mixtures to investigate their relativecompetitive abilities in a range of conditions. The 18 mixedsimulated swards were subject to three levels of nitrogen supply(14.5, 32 and 173.5 ppm) from establishment, and to three cuttingfrequencies (at 1-, 3- and 6-week intervals), 7 weeks aftersowing. The slow-respiring population yielded more than the fast. Thissuperiority was greater in mixtures (50%) than in monocultures(10%). Its superiority was as great in weekly-cut swards (51%), where there was little or no aerial competition, as in 6-weekly-cutswards (50%), where shoot interference was maximal, indicatingthat its advantage lay in below-ground competition. The limitingresource for which competition occurred could not be positivelyidentified. Lolium perenne, perennial ryegrass cv. S 23, population, simulated sward, defoliation, nitrogen, respiration, dry-matter production, 50: 50 replacement mixture     

Regrowth and Nutrient Composition of Different Plant Organs in Grass-clover Canopies as Affected by Phosphorus and Potassium Availability

Regrowth after cutting and the distribution of nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in different plant organs ofwhite clover and perennial ryegrass growing in pure or mixedswards were investigated under field conditions in a soil witha low-to-moderate availability of P and K. In all treatments,white clover constituted more than 70% of the above-ground biomassin the mixed swards. The petioles were the dominant pool ofdry matter throughout regrowth and contained the greatest amountsof N, P and K. Increased supply of P and K increased the growthof ryegrass, but not that of white clover in the mixed swards.The increased competition from ryegrass led to a decline inthe yield of white clover laminae as well as in the N contentper unit of dry matter in laminae, petioles and stolons. TheP content of all white clover organs also declined followingP application to the mixed swards, whereas K application increasedtheir K contents. In the pure swards of ryegrass and white clover,yields and contents of N, P and K in the dry matter were eithernot affected or increased following P and K application. Itwas concluded that commonly-used defoliation heights may remove80% or more of the nutrient and dry matter pools located inthe petioles but the remaining quantities of dry matter andnutrients in the petioles will normally exceed the correspondingquantities in the stolons. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Coexistence, competition, phosphorus, potassium, regrowth, ryegrass, white clover     

Effect of Cutting on Production and Tillering in Prairie Grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) Compared With Two Ryegrass (Lolium) species. 2. Reproductive Plants

Effects of time of initial cut and subsequent cutting interval(1, 2 or 4 weeks) were examined in a glasshouse during summer1988 for reproductive plants of three prairie grass cultivars(Bromus willdenowii Kunth), Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumLam.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Measurementswere made of tiller and leaf numbers, sites of tillering, reproductivedevelopment, and herbage quality and yields. Effect of timeof initial cutting on regrowth appeared to be independent ofstage of reproductive development and unrelated to any of themeasured plant parameters. Characteristics for each cultivaras identified during undisturbed growth prior to the initialcuts, were modified by the subsequent cutting frequencies. Perennial ryegrass had the highest yields under frequent cuttingwith high herbage quality. Westenwolds ryegrass and the prairiegrass cultivars ‘Grasslands Matua’ and ‘Primabel’had the highest yields with infrequent cutting, but lower herbagequality than in perennial ryegrass. At each cut, tiller deathin prairie grass was determined by the number of reproductivetillers, and in the ryegrasses also by the numbers of elongatedvegetative tillers. Recovery of tiller numbers was rapid andprimarily from inhibited tiller buds at the base of reproductivetillers. In prairie grass, tiller numbers were relatively unaffectedby cutting frequency, but at frequent cutting, many axillarytillers originated from vegetative tillers rather than frominhibited tiller buds at the base of reproductive tillers. Prairie grass, Bromus willdenowii Kunth, Westerwolds ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam., perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., first (initial) cut, cutting frequency, regrowth, leaf appearance, tillering, yield, nitrogen, water-soluble carbohydrates, herbage quality     

Effect of Temperature and Nitrogen Supply on the Growth of Perennial Ryegrass and White Clover. 1. Carbon and Nitrogen Economies of Mixed Swards at Low Temperature

Simulated mixed swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL. cv. S23) and white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. S100)were grown from seed under a constant 10°C day/8°C nighttemperature regime and their growth, and carbon and nitrogeneconomies examined. The swards received a nutrient solution,every second day, which contained either high (220 µgg^–1) or low (40 µg g^–1) nitrate N. The High-N swards had rates of canopy photosynthesis and drymatter production (over the linear phase of growth) similarto those previously shown by mixed swards at high temperature.The Low-N swards grew more slowly; canopy photosynthesis, ata given LAI, was similar to that at High-N but lower LAI's weresustained. Clover increased its contribution to total carbonuptake and total dry weight throughout the period in the Low-Ntreatment and, despite the fact that grass took up most of theavailable nitrate, clover maintained a consistently higher Ncontent by virtue of N₂-fixation. At High-N, grass dominated throughout the measurement period.Earlier, when plants grew as spaced individuals, clover grewless well than grass, but once the canopy was closed it hada similar relative growth rate and thus maintained a steadyproportion of total sward dry weight. It is proposed that earlyin the development of the crop, leaf area production is thelimiting factor for growth, and that in this respect cloveris adversely affected by low temperature relative to grass.Later, as the LAI of the crop builds up, and the canopy becomesfully light intercepting, net canopy photosynthesis plays amore dominant role and here the higher photosynthetic rate perunit leaf area of the clover is crucial. Trifolium repens, white clover, Lolium perenne, perennial ryegrass, low temperature, nitrogen, photosynthesis     

Effect of Nitrogen Supply on the Grass and Clover Components of Simulated Mixed Swards Grown under Favourable Environmental Conditions I. Carbon Assimilation and Utilization

Simulated mixed swards of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) cv. S23 and White clover (Trifolium repens L.) cv. S100were grown from seed under a constant 20 °C day/15 °Cnight temperature regime and their growth and carbon economyexamined. The swards received a nutrient solution daily, whichcontained either High (220 mg l^–1) or Low (10 mg l^–1)nitrate N. Rates of canopy photosynthesis and respiration, and final drymatter yields were similar in the two treatments although theproportions of grass and clover differed greatly. The Low-Nswards were made up largely of clover. The grass plants in theseswards had high root: shoot ratios and low relative photosyntheticrates – both signs of N deficiency – and were clearlyunable to compete with the vigorously growing Low-N clover plants.These had higher relative growth rates and dry matter yieldsthan their High-N counterparts. In the High-N swards clovercontributed around 50 per cent to the sward dry weight throughoutthe measurement period despite having a smaller proportion ofits dry weight in photosynthetic tissue (laminae) than grassover much of it. The latter was compensated for, initially bya higher specific leaf area than grass, and later by a higherphotosynthetic rate per unit leaf weight. The results are discussedin relation to observed declines in the clover content of swardsafter the addition of nitrogen fertilizer in the field. Trifolium repens, white clover, Lolium perenne, perennial ryegrass, nitrogen, photosynthesis, carbon balance     

Effect of Cutting on Production and Tillering in Prairie Grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) Compared With Two Ryegrass (Loliunt) Species. 1. Vegetative Plants

Effects of cutting to 3 or 6 cm stubble height at frequenciesof 1, 2 or 4 weeks were investigated in young, vegetative, spacedplants of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth), a tetraploidWesterwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and perennialryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Plants were grown for 8 weekson nutrient solution in a growth cabinet at day/night temperaturesof 15/10°C and in a short photoperiod. Leaf appearance,site filling and tiller numbers were all reduced by both increasedcutting frequency and a lower cutting height. The extent ofthese reductions was least in prairie grass and greatest inWesterwolds ryegrass. Relative growth rates in all species respondedin a similar manner with more frequent cutting and a lower cuttingheight. Cutting frequency had the greatest effect on growthrates, although the effect of cutting height increased withtime. Results confirm general recommendations of long intervalsbetween defoliations to achieve high yields for vegetative prairiegrass, but the relative amounts of dry matter harvested underthe different cutting regimes may be no different to that obtainedin ryegrass. Stubble height was of lesser importance in determiningyields. A typical U-shaped curve for depletion and recovery in water-solublecarbohydrates occurred after defoliation in all species, butlevels remained low at frequent cutting. Water-soluble carbohydratelevels in stubble and roots were higher in prairie grass. Regrowthat the end of the experiment was highly correlated with totalstubble and root weights (r = 0.84), while regrowth per tillershowed a good correlation with water-soluble carbohydrate content,although the response varied between species. Prairie grass, Bromus willdenowii Kunth, perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., Westerwolds ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam., cutting frequency, cutting height, leaf appearance, tillering, site filling, yield, regrowth, nitrogen, water-soluble carbohydrates     

Effect of Nitrogen Supply on the Growth and Senescence of Leaves of Lolium perenne with Contrasting Rates of Leaf Respiration

Respiration rates remain high during senescence which is anenergy demanding process. Different rates of senescence mayexplain the contrasting respiration rates of mature leaves oftwo populations of perennial ryegrass cv. S23. This hypothesiswas tested by measuring the lengths of elongating and senescingleaves of plants of two populations (GL72, a slow and GL66,a fast respiring population) for 76 d following the transplantationof the seedlings into soil-filled pots in a growth room. Nitrogenwas supplied at two different rates at the beginning of theexperiment and again at day 36. At high levels of nitrogen supply the slow respiring populationhad a faster elongation rate and so a greater leaf length thanthe fast respiring population. There was no difference betweenthem in the rate of leaf senescence or in the duration of leafgrowth. Consequently, the fast respiring population is consideredprofligate in its use of carbon. By contrast, under low nitrogensupply both elongation and senescence rates were higher in thefast respiring population, although there was no differencein final leaf length. Therefore the longevity of leaves of thefast respiring population was reduced. It is argued that theleaves of the fast respiring population may turn-over mineralsmore rapidly than those of the slow, which may be more advantageousin conditions of low nitrogen supply and offset the benefitsof a more conservative use of carbon normally seen under conditionsof high nitrogen supply. Lolium perenne L., perennial ryegrass cv. S23, nitrogen supply, respiration rate, leaf senescence rate, leaf elongation rate, leaf longevity, population     

Leaf photosynthesis in pure swards of two grasses (Lolium perenne and Lolium multiflorum) subjected to contrasting intensities of defoliation

Photosynthetic rates were measured on light saturated, fully-expanded leaves in pure swards of Lolium perenne and Lolium multiflorum during late summer using 14-carbon dioxide. These swards were defoliated by cutting at three heights of 3, 6 and 9 cm above the ground. The photosynthetic rates of leaves on tillers in swards cut constantly 3 cm above ground level were higher than those of leaves in swards cut constantly 9 cm above ground level. Additional treatments with various sequences of cuts 3, 6 and 9 cm above ground level were designed to reduce damage to the growing points of tillers whilst ensuring satisfactory harvesting of the shoots. The photosynthetic rates of leaves on tillers cut to various heights above ground level at successive harvests were intermediate between those of similar leaves in the constantly low and high cut swards. The rates of photosynthesis of Italian ryegrass leaves were higher than those of perennial ryegrass leaves for a short time after defoliation of the constantly high cut swards. However, these perennial ryegrass leaves quickly adapted their rates of photosynthesis to the higher irradiances they received after cutting. Thus grass species differing in morphology adjust to management practices by the use of different photosynthetic strategies.     

The effects of mixing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) with perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) or red clover (Trifolium pratense) on the incidence of viruses

Mixing the ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV) resistant perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cv. Endura with the susceptible Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum) cv. RvP decreased infection of RvP wth RMV from 37% when grown alone to 22% when mixed. However, Endura yielded less than RvP and there was no yield benefit from mixing the two cultivars. Mixing red clover (Trifolium pratense) cv. Hungaropoly with RvP had no detectable effect on RMV incidence in RvP but did decrease the incidence of red clover necrotic mosaic virus in Hungaropoly from 9% to 1% and of white clover mosaic virus from 53-5% to 41%. The yield of the mixture was equal to that of RvP grown alone but given nitrogen fertiliser. The numbers of eriophyid mites, including Abacarus hystrix the vector of RMV, on ryegrass leaves were similar in pure and mixed swards. It is concluded that with herbage crops, the common practice of sowing mixtures of species may help control virus diseases.     

The effect of ryegrass mosaic virus on the yield of perennial ryegrass swards

The influence of ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV) on yield of perennial ryegrass swards was examined under two harvesting frequencies and at two levels of nitrogen fertilizer, in a field trial planted with a clone of ryegrass, cv. S 321, using small plots established with proportions of healthy and infected plants. RMV reduced the height and the number of tillers of plants grown in pots and reduced the height also of plants in the field. The swards were planted in August and at a harvest 8 wk later RMV reduced the yield from 2–12 to 1–52 t dry matter (d.m.)/ha. In the first full harvest year, RMV caused only a small reduction in yield where no N fertilizer was applied and the application of a very small amount of fertilizer would have recouped the loss. On the other hand RMV severely restricted the increase in yield resulting from heavy dressings of the fertilizer. Thus where 400 kg N/ha was applied, RMV reduced the total annual yield from 18-6 to 13-8 t d.m./ha. The effect of the virus was especially great both in the Spring, the period of maximum herbage production, and when the level of fertilizer was high.     

Radiation Interception, Partitioning and Use in Grass -Clover Mixtures

Mixed swards of perennial ryegrass /white clover were grownin competition under controlled environmental conditions, attwo temperatures and with different inorganic nitrogen supplies.The swards were studied after canopy closure, from 800 to 1200°C d cumulative temperatures. Clover contents did not varysignificantly during the period. A simulation model of lightinterception was used to calculate light partitioning coefficientsand radiation use efficiencies for both components of the mixturein this controlled environment experiment. Additionally, thissame radiative transfer model was applied to the field datafrom Woledge (1988) (Annals of Applied Biology112: 175 –186)and from Woledge, Davidson and Dennis (1992) (Grass and ForageScience47: 230 –238). The measured and simulated valuesof light transmission, at different depths in the mixed canopy,were highly correlated (P<0.001) with more than 80% of thetotal variance explained. The daily average of photosyntheticallyactive radiation (PAR) interception in a natural environmentwas estimated from simulations, for the field and controlledenvironment data. Under these conditions, white clover capturedsignificantly more light per unit leaf area than perennial ryegrassat low, but not at high, nitrogen supply. In the controlled environment experiment, the radiation useefficiency of the legume was lower than that of its companiongrass. For both species, radiation use efficiency was negativelycorrelated with the mean irradiance of the leaf. The role ofa compensation between light interception and light use forstabilizing the botanical composition of dense grass –cloverswards is discussed. Light interception; radiation transfer model; growth analysis; radiation use efficiency; white clover; perennial ryegrass; Trifolium repensL.; Lolium perenneL.; grassland     

Regrowth by Swards of Subterranean Clover after Defoliation. 1. Growth, Non-structural Carbohydrate and Nitrogen Content

Swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) atLAl 6 grown in N-free nutrient solution were subjected to threedefoliation treatments which removed 30, 70 and 80% of shootdry weight. Subsequent regrowth and changes in the concentrationsof carbohydrate and nitrogen in plant components were measuredat 0, 1, 5, 9 and 13 d after defoliation and compared with thosein uncut swards. The rate of shoot regrowth declined with increasing severilyof defoliation. In all defoliation treatments, growth was confinedto leaves for up to 5 d. Root growth ceased in all treatmentsfor a longer period. Reestablishment of the leaf area in severely-defoliatedswards was facilitated by the rapid opening of developing leavesand by changes in the allocation of carbon which favoured leafover branch and root, and lamina over petiole growth. Loss of carbohydrate and nitrogen from roots and branches lasting5–9 d was observed in the more severe defoliation treatments.Loss of protein (N x 6.25) exceeded that of total non-structuralcarbohydrate, and could have accounted for the nitrogen contentof new leaf during this period. Branches lost 62% of their initialcarbohydrate content compared with 25% from roots in the 80%cut swards. In contrast, roots, by virtue of their greater mass,were the principle source of mobilized nitrogen. Nitrogen accumulationceased in 80% cut swards for 9 d. However, carbohydrate levelsin the crown nodules were not severely depleted. It was concluded that partitioning of growth to lamina and themobilization of carbohydrates and nitrogen were important forrecovery from defoliation. Carbohydrates, carbon partitioning, defoliation, nitrogen, mobilization, regrowth, subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L     

The Effect of Nitrogenous Fertilizer on the Photosynthesis and Growth of White Clover/Perennial Ryegrass Swards

The application of nitrogenous fertilizer in March to a whiteclover (cv. Blanca) and perennial ryegrass (cv. S23) sward resultedin a rapid suppression of the clover, relative to clover ina treatment given no added nitrogen. Thereafter, the cloverin both treatments grew more rapidly than the grass and itsproportion of the total leaf area in the mixture increased,as the leaf area index rose to 8. After a second applicationof N in early July, clover was not suppressed to the same extentas in the first growth period. Overall, the photosynthetic capacities of newly expanded cloverlaminae were similar in the two treatments. Clover laminae hadhigher photosynthetic capacities than grass, even in the grass-dominant+ N treatment. Lamina area, petiole length, and the number of live leaves perstolon were similar in the two treatments, indicating that thedifferences in total leaf area were due to the presence of fewerstolon growing points in the + N treatment. Trifolium repens L., white clover, Lolium perenne L., perennial ryegrass, nitrogen, leaf area index, photosynthesis, growth     

Effect of Previous Defoliation Regime and Mineral Nitrogen on Regrowth in White Clover Swards: Photosynthesis, Respiration, Nitrogenase Activity and Growth

Small swards of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cv. Haifawere grown in solution culture in a controlled environment at24 °C day/18 °C night and receiving 500 µE m^-2S^–1 PAR during a 14-h photoperiod. The swards were cuteither frequently (10-d regrowth periods) or infrequently (40-dregrowth) over 40 d before being cut to 2 cm in height. Halfof the swards received high levels of nitrate (2–6 mMN in solution every 2 d) after defoliation while the othersreceived none. Changes in d. wt, leaf area and growing pointnumbers were recorded over the following 10 d. CO₂ exchangewas measured independently on shoots and roots and nitrogenase-linkedrespiration was estimated by measuring nodulated root respirationat 21% and 3% oxygen in the root atmosphere. There was a general pattern in all treatments consisting ofan initial d. wt loss from roots and stubble and reallocationto new leaves, followed by a period of total d. wt gain andrecovery, to a greater or lesser extent, of weight in non-photosyntheticparts. Frequently cut swards had a smaller proportion of theirshoot d. wt. removed by cutting and had a greater shoot d. wt,growing point number and leaf area at the start of the regrowthperiod. As a result of these differences, and also because ofdifferences in relative growth rates, frequently cut swardsmade more regrowth than infrequently cut. Initial photosyntheticrates were higher in frequently cut swards, although the laminaarea index was very low, and it was concluded that stolons andcut petioles made a significant contribution to carbon uptakeduring the first few d. Infrequently cut swards continued toallocate carbon to new and thinner leaves at the expense ofroots and stubble for longer than frequently cut swards andas a result achieved a similar lamina area index after 10 d. Nitrogenase-linked respiration was low in all treatments immediatelyafter cutting: frequently cut swards receiving no nitrate maintainedhigh nitrogenase activity, whereas recovery took at least 5d in infrequently cut swards. Swards which received nitrateafter cutting maintained only low rates of nitrogenase-linkedrespiration and their total nodulated root respiration overthe period was lower than those receiving no nitrogen: greaterregrowth in nitrate fed swards over the 10 d compared to N₂-fixingswards was in proportion to this lower respiratory burden. White clover (Trifolium repens L.), defoliation, regrowth, nitrogen, photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogenase-activity     

Effect of Temperature and Nitrogen Supply on the Growth of Perennial Ryegrass and White Clover. 2. A Comparison of Monocultures and Mixed Swards

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) and Perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.) plants were grown, in Perlite, in simulated swardsas either monocultures or mixtures of equal plant numbers. Theywere supplied with a nutrient solution either high (220 µgg^–1) or low (40 µg g^–1) in ¹⁵N-labelled nitrateand grown to ceiling yield at either high (20°C day/15°Cnight) or low (10°C day/8°C night) temperature. Temperature had little effect on the maximum rates of grosscanopy photosynthesis which were similar in High-N grass andHigh-N and Low-N clover monocultures. However these maxima werereached more slowly in clover than grass, and more slowly atlow rather than high temperature. Nitrogen supply increasedphotosynthesis in grass but not in clover. Clover had higherN contents than grass in all four treatments, although in anygiven treatment its N content was lower, and contribution ofN₂-fixation relative to nitrate uptake higher, in mixture thanin monoculture. Conversely, grass had higher N contents in mixturethan monoculture, because more nitrate was available per plantand not because of transfer of biologically fixed N from clover. Under Low-N, clover outyielded grass in mixture, particularlyat high temperature. The grass plants in the Low-N mixtureshad higher N contents and higher SLA, LAR and shoot: root ratiosthan those in monoculture. It is proposed that competition forlight is the cause of the low relative yield and negative aggressivityof grass in these swards. Under High-N, grass outyielded cloverin monoculture and mixture, at both temperatures but particularlyat low temperature when grass had a high aggressivity. Nitrogenand yield component analyses shed no light on clover's apparentlylow competitive ability and evidence is drawn from the previouspaper to demonstrate that grass grew faster than clover onlyas spaced individuals during non-com petitive growth. The relativemerits of measures of competitive ability based on final harvestdata and physiological data taken over a growth period are discussed. Trifolium repens L., white clover, Lolium perenne, perennial ryegrass, competition, temperature, nitrogen     

Tillering Responses to the Light Environment and to Defoliation in Populations of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) Selected for Contrasting Leaf Length

Tillering responses to the light environment and to defoliationwere studied in two populations of perennial ryegrass (LoliumperenneL.) selected for contrasting leaf lengths. The objectiveof this study was to determine whether differences in tilleringresponses between populations, as a result of management practices,affected their competitive ability. Young seedlings were exposed,under controlled conditions, to defoliation, neutral shading(decreased photosynthetic photon flux), low red:far-red ratioand/or decreased blue light. Selection for longer leaves reducedthe tillering rate. After defoliation, this difference betweenshort- and long-leaved populations was magnified. Defoliationdecreased both site filling and phyllochron of the long-leavedpopulation but had no effect on the short-leaved population.Lowering the photosynthetic photon flux reduced the phyllochronin both population. Decreasing the red:far-red ratio reducedtillering rate by reducing site filling, whereas decreasingblue light had no significant effects on tillering. Tilleringresponses to photosynthetic photon flux and to red:far-red ratiowere similar in the two populations selected for contrastingleaf length. The implication of these tillering responses indefining the competitive ability of the grass plants is discussedin relation to their management.Copyright 1999 Annals of BotanyCompany Blue light, defoliation, far-red, irradiance, leaf size,Lolium perenne(L.), perennial ryegrass, photomorphogenesis, phyllochron, shading, site filling, tiller production.     

Seasonal Changes in the Physiology of S24 Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.): 3. Partition of Assimilates between Root and Shoot during the Transition from Vegetative to Reproductive Growth

The partition of ¹⁴C labelled current assimilates to root insimulated swards of Lolium perenne cv. S24 was measured duringthe transition from vegetative growth in autumn to reproductivegrowth in spring under close to natural conditions of lightand temperature. Assimilate partitioning was also measured in‘established’ swards cut three times during thegrowing season and in vegetative ‘seedling’ swardsgrowing in autumn and in spring. All measurements were madewhen the swards had achieved more than 90 per cent light interception,and all swards were abundantly supplied with water and mineralnutrients. During autumn there was a gradual decrease in the proportionof assimilates partitioned to the roots in both the ‘established’and the ‘seedling’ swards. In the established swards,partition to roots was low over winter, increased during earlyspring, but decreased dramatically, later in the spring, whenstem elongation began. In contrast, in the unvernalized vegatativeseedling swards in spring, partition to roots remained high. The seasonal pattern of assimilate partitioning is consideredin relation to changes in the natural environment and the rateat which the crop fixed carbon in photosynthesis. A decreasein the proportion of assimilates partitioned to roots duringlate spring was significant in increasing the production ofshoot at that time but seasonal differences in partition contributedvery little to the marked differences in shoot growth betweenthe spring and autumn crop. Lolium perenne L., perennial ryegrass, partition of assimilates, flowering     

Effect of Nitrogen Supply on the Grass and Clover Components of Simulated Mixed Swards Grown under Favourable Environmental Conditions II. Nitrogen Fixation and Nitrate Uptake

Simulated mixed swards of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) cv. S23 and White clover (Trifolium repens L.) cv. S100were grown from seed under a constant 20 °C day/15 °Cnight temperature regime and harvested at intervals over and88 d growht period. The swards received a nutrient solutiondaily, which was either High (220 mg l^–1) or Low (10 mgl^–1) in nitrate N. The nitrate was labelled with the ¹⁵Nisotope. An acetylene reduction assay was carried out on eachsward just prior to harvest. Rates of acetylene reduction agreed qualitatively with the ^l5Nanalyses but absolute values did not match (assuming a 4:1 C₂H₄:N₂ratio) and errors in the acetylene assay are discussed. In theLow-N swards clover relied almost entirely on symbioticallyfixed N₂, fixing more than ten times as much as the High-N cloverplants. In the Low-N treatment the grass was N-deficient despiteobtaining much more nitrate per unit root dry weight than clover.In the High-N swards, however, clover took up more nitrate perunit root weight than grass. The High-N clover plants also fixedsome N₂ and maintained a higher total-N content than grass throughoutthe period. There was no evidence of transfer of symbioticallyfixed N from the clover to the grass in either treatment. Trifolium repens, Lolium perenne, nitrate, nitrogen fixation, ¹⁵N, acetylene reduction     

Changes in Dry Matter, Carbohydrate and Seed Yield Resulting from Lodging in Three Temperate Grass Species

The adverse effect of lodging on grass seed yield may be attributed,in part, to assimilate limitation during the seed filling period.This investigation examined plant dry matter assimilate partitioningand seed yield as affected by lodging in three species thatare closely related but phenotypically different: tall fescue(Festuca arundinacea Schreber.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumLam.), and perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L.). Studies wereperformed in field plots at Corvallis, Oregon, USA. Seed yieldcomponents (seed number per inflorescence, seed yield per inflorescence,and single seed mass) and leaf, stem (lower, middle, and peduncle)and seed inflorescence dry mass were measured just prior toanthesis to seed maturity. Dry mass and water soluble carbohydrates(WSC) were determined for shoot components. The reduction indry mass and WSC in leaves and stem components following anthesiswas often greater in lodged plants compared to upright plants.The relatively low seed yield depression in lodged tall fescuesuggested a higher compensation potential for partitioning reserveassimilate from leaves and stems to support seed growth anddevelopment. This potential does not appear to be present tothe same degree in Italian ryegrass and to an even lesser extentin perennial ryegrass. These findings suggest that the potentialto compensate for reduced assimilate supply during the periodof high assimilate demand by seeds may be attributed, in part,to the total assimilate reserve accumulated prior to photoassimilatereduction caused by the lodged condition. Copyright 2000 Annalsof Botany Company Tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreber., Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam., perennial ryegrass, L. perenne L., assimilate partitioning, source–sink     

Decreased severity of ryegrass mosaic virus after passage through resistant perennial ryegrass

After exposure to infection in the field, the proportion of plants showing distinct symptoms of ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV) was less in perennial than in Italian ryegrass. The perennial ryegrass cv. Mascot had a smaller proportion of plants with symptoms than cv. S.23. Far milder symptoms were induced in test plants by RMV from naturally infected perennial ryegrass plots than from Italian ryegrass plots. Within perennial ryegrass, RMV from cv. Mascot caused milder symptoms than that from cv. S.23. Severe RMV isolated from Italian ryegrass cv. Trident (RMVT) became milder after one passage through cv. Mascot, although not as mild as RMV obtained from field plots of cv. Mascot (RMVM). Families from two highly resistant perennial ryegrass clones and two randomly selected clones of cv. S.23 crossed in all possible combinations varied in symptom severity when inoculated with RMVT but not when inoculated with RMVM. Families inoculated with RMVT also yielded virus which varied in the severity of symptoms induced in test plants, families with severe symptoms yielding severer virus. Thus, much of the variation in the resistance of these clones could be attributed to infection with RMV of differing severity. Resistance was controlled by several genes which were mainly additive in their effect.