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Developmental characteristics of grass varieties in relation to their herbage production: 1. An analysis of high-digestibility varieties of Dactylis glomerata at three stages of development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. Davies
I. Davies
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth
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Summary

Two cocksfoot varieties, Be 6394 and Be 6392, selected for high in vitro digestibility (IVD) were compared with S. 37 under sward conditions. The pattern of extension growth in reproductive tillers, the associated changes in N and water-soluble carbohydrates content (WSC), and IVD of individual plant organs were studied.

Ten days after the mean date of head emergence, the most digestible plant organs were the leaf blades and the inflorescences; the lower internodes had the lowest IVD. At the mature hay stage the ranking was leaf blades > upper sheaths > inflorescence > lower internodes > upper internodes. At each stage N content was highest in the upper portions of the reproductive tiller, whilst the highest WSC content was found in the basal internodes.

After completion of extension growth in the lower three of the five or six internodes which showed appreciable extension at flowering, there were markedly greater increments in weight per unit length in Be 6394 and Be 6392 than in S. 37. The WSC content of the stem was higher in Be 6394 and Be 6392 than in S. 37. The IVD of the lower internodes declined more rapidly in S. 37 than in Be 6394 and Be 6392.

Results are discussed in relation to formulating a model for improved nutritive quality in conservation crops, and in relation to the height of harvesting such crops.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 87 , Issue 1 , August 1976 , pp. 25 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

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