Total nonstructural carbohydrate accumulation in roots of annual lespedeza

Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) stored in roots are thought to be an important energy source for growth following herbage removal in many forage legumes. This study was conducted to determine if root TNC levels fluctuate during harvest and regrowth cycles of annual lespedeza (Kummerowia spp....

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Published inAgronomy journal Vol. 87; no. 1
Main Authors Davis, D.K. (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.), McGraw, R.L, Beuselinck, P.R, Roberts, C.A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.01.1995
Subjects
ALIMENT POUR ANIMAUX
CARBOHIDRATOS
COMPOSICION QUIMICA
COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE
CULTIVOS DE PASTO
DATE DE RECOLTE
FECHA DE RECOLECCION
FRECUENCIA DE LAS COSECHAS
FREQUENCE DE RECOLTE
GLUCIDE
LESPEDEZA
LOTUS CORNICULATUS
MEDICAGO SATIVA
MISSOURI
PIENSOS
PLANTE POUR HERBAGE
REBROTE
REPOUSSE
SISTEMA RADICULAR
SYSTEME RACINAIRE
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Summary:Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) stored in roots are thought to be an important energy source for growth following herbage removal in many forage legumes. This study was conducted to determine if root TNC levels fluctuate during harvest and regrowth cycles of annual lespedeza (Kummerowia spp.). Annual lespedeza management treatments consisted of harvesting at a 6- or 12-cm stubble height at the end of July and a nonharvested control. Seeding-year 'Nitro' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and 'Norcen' birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) were included for comparison. Alfalfa was harvested four times at early bloom and birdsfoot trefoil three times at early bloom. Alfalfa exhibited a cyclic pattern of TNC utilization and storage in response to herbage removal and regrowth, respectively. Seedling alfalfa accumulated 150 g kg-1 TNC in the roots by 10 June, and 450 g kg-1 by first harvest. Seedling birdsfoot trefoil maintained 70 g kg-1 TNC in the roots through mid-September and did not exhibit as much TNC cycling as did alfalfa. Annual lespedeza averaged approximately 20 g kg-1 TNC in the roots prior to harvest and maintained 40 g kg-1 throughout the growing season. Harvesting annual lespedeza at 6 cm decreased root TNC levels for approximately 5 wk compared with harvesting at 12 cm and the nonharvested controls; however, the total amount of reduction was small. Root TNC levels decreased by 6.1 g kg-1 with cutting at 6 cm. As annual lespedeza maintains relatively small amounts of root TNC, leaving residual leaf area at harvest may be important for regrowth
Bibliography:F60
9703338
F01
ISSN:0002-1962
1435-0645
DOI:10.2134/agronj1995.00021962008700010016x