Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

In connection with the wintering ability of some tropical grasses, the relation between their growth habits in autumn and accumulation of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) in stem during winter was examined. Seven species of tropical grasses were grown at the experimental field of Miyazaki University during 1980-1981. They were defoliated every 20th day from early summer until autumn. Tiller number and dry weight per tiller were detemined at each time of defoliation. NSC was estimated from autumn to winter. For the evaluation of regrowth following cool season, photosynthetic capacity of plant population just before the first frost and that on the end of March were compared. The results are as follows. The minimum temperature dropped below 0°C in winter. Low rate of regrowth of Giant stargrass, Setariagrass and Rhodesgrass in early spring was related to the comparatively active growth in autumn. On the contrary, the growth of Bahiagrass, Dallisgrass, Kikuyu grass and Weeping love grass in autumn was severely depressed and NSC in their stems was maintained at high level in winter, and so, they surpassed the other grasses with regard to the abilities of wintering and spring regrowth.

Share

COinS
 

Relation of Non-Structural Carbohydrate Concentration in Autumn to Wintering Ability of Several Tropical Grasses in Southern Kyushu

Kyoto Japan

In connection with the wintering ability of some tropical grasses, the relation between their growth habits in autumn and accumulation of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) in stem during winter was examined. Seven species of tropical grasses were grown at the experimental field of Miyazaki University during 1980-1981. They were defoliated every 20th day from early summer until autumn. Tiller number and dry weight per tiller were detemined at each time of defoliation. NSC was estimated from autumn to winter. For the evaluation of regrowth following cool season, photosynthetic capacity of plant population just before the first frost and that on the end of March were compared. The results are as follows. The minimum temperature dropped below 0°C in winter. Low rate of regrowth of Giant stargrass, Setariagrass and Rhodesgrass in early spring was related to the comparatively active growth in autumn. On the contrary, the growth of Bahiagrass, Dallisgrass, Kikuyu grass and Weeping love grass in autumn was severely depressed and NSC in their stems was maintained at high level in winter, and so, they surpassed the other grasses with regard to the abilities of wintering and spring regrowth.