Publication Date
1997
Description
Below-ground reserves are thought to provide an indication of a forage potential for shoot regrowth after defoliation. The aim of this work was to re-evaluate the causal relationships existing between organic reserves (non-structural carbohydrates and N reserves) and shoot regrowth of alfalfa. The variations brought about by cultivar differences (cv Lodi or Europe), length of the previous regrowth period (30 or 45 d), or by intraspecific competition for light within a dense canopy, were studied. Field grown plants were harvested at weekly intervals, and separated as dominant, intermediate and suppressed plants. Shoot regrowth yield was determined and taproot were analyzed for starch, N, soluble proteins and vegetative storage proteins. Results showed that taproot starch and N contents were modified by the length of the previous regrowth but not by the position of the plant within the canopy. Soluble protein or VSP concentrations increased with the length of the previous regrowth, and with a higher position of the plant within the canopy. Shoot regrowth yield was linearly related to taproot soluble protein and VSP contents on day of defoliation, but relationships were not found with initial starch or N contents. These results suggest that root protein and VSP are key organic nutrient for alfalfa shoot regrowth after harvest.
Included in
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Intraspecific Competition in Lucerne and Relationships with Reserve Availability
Below-ground reserves are thought to provide an indication of a forage potential for shoot regrowth after defoliation. The aim of this work was to re-evaluate the causal relationships existing between organic reserves (non-structural carbohydrates and N reserves) and shoot regrowth of alfalfa. The variations brought about by cultivar differences (cv Lodi or Europe), length of the previous regrowth period (30 or 45 d), or by intraspecific competition for light within a dense canopy, were studied. Field grown plants were harvested at weekly intervals, and separated as dominant, intermediate and suppressed plants. Shoot regrowth yield was determined and taproot were analyzed for starch, N, soluble proteins and vegetative storage proteins. Results showed that taproot starch and N contents were modified by the length of the previous regrowth but not by the position of the plant within the canopy. Soluble protein or VSP concentrations increased with the length of the previous regrowth, and with a higher position of the plant within the canopy. Shoot regrowth yield was linearly related to taproot soluble protein and VSP contents on day of defoliation, but relationships were not found with initial starch or N contents. These results suggest that root protein and VSP are key organic nutrient for alfalfa shoot regrowth after harvest.
