Publication Date

1997

Description

The effect of carbohydrate and nitrogen reserve remobilization during the first 4 d following defoliation on subsequent regrowth was studied under different soil nitrogen and atmospheric CO2 conditions. On a structural dry matter basis, elevated CO2 increased carbohydrate concentration without affecting total nitrogen in roots and crowns. High soil nitrogen had the opposite effect, increasing nitrogen concentration with no effect on nonstructural carbohydrates. Regrowth was significantly correlated with total nitrogen concentration at the time of defoliation. Carbohydrate concentration was not related to subsequent regrowth, nor was there a consistent correlation between carbohydrate or nitrogen remobilization and regrowth. No nitrogen remobilization was detected in Low N treatments, which maintained greater nitrogen uptake rates immediately following defoliation than did High N treatments. Regrowth was most closely correlated with reduced whole plant relative growth rate during the first 4 d after cutting.

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Nitrogen and CO2 Effects on Remobilization of Root and Crown Reserves for Regrowth Following Defoliation

The effect of carbohydrate and nitrogen reserve remobilization during the first 4 d following defoliation on subsequent regrowth was studied under different soil nitrogen and atmospheric CO2 conditions. On a structural dry matter basis, elevated CO2 increased carbohydrate concentration without affecting total nitrogen in roots and crowns. High soil nitrogen had the opposite effect, increasing nitrogen concentration with no effect on nonstructural carbohydrates. Regrowth was significantly correlated with total nitrogen concentration at the time of defoliation. Carbohydrate concentration was not related to subsequent regrowth, nor was there a consistent correlation between carbohydrate or nitrogen remobilization and regrowth. No nitrogen remobilization was detected in Low N treatments, which maintained greater nitrogen uptake rates immediately following defoliation than did High N treatments. Regrowth was most closely correlated with reduced whole plant relative growth rate during the first 4 d after cutting.