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The water‐soluble carbohydrates of grasses. I.—Changes occurring during the normal life‐cycle
Author(s) -
Waite R.,
Boyd J.
Publication year - 1953
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740040408
Subject(s) - sucrose , fructose , fructan , biology , carbohydrate , botany , developmental stage , chemistry , horticulture , food science , biochemistry , psychology , developmental psychology
The water‐soluble carbohydrates [glucose and fructose (reported together as total hexoses), sucrose and fructosan] in the leaf, stem and head portions of four grasses have been determined at regular intervals throughout their growth cycle during two successive years. Hexoses were at all times present in only small amounts. The concentration of sucrose varied with the stage of growth, rising to a peak in May‐June, and the effect of the stage of growth on the amount of sucrose was similar in both leaf and stem. Fructosan was present in a much higher concentration in the stem than in the leaf, and stage of growth had a marked effect on the amount present. A relationship is suggested between these fluctuations in fructosan content and morphological changes, first in the development of the growing point from a vegetative to a floral state, and later in seed formation.