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The effect of plant development and environment on formononetin concentration in red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.)
Author(s) -
McMurray Cecil H.,
Laidlaw A. Scott,
McElroy Mary
Publication year - 1986
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.2740370402
Subject(s) - formononetin , red clover , chemistry , inflorescence , incubation , agronomy , zoology , horticulture , biology , daidzein , biochemistry , genistein , endocrinology
Formononetin concentration in red clover herbage, determined by high performance liquid chromatography, was assessed in field, greenhouse and growth cabinet experiments. Formononetin content decreased in Hungaropoly swards from 5.6 mg g −1 DM when harvested in early May to 3.5 mg g −1 DM when harvested in mid‐June. In the regrowth the sward with the shortest regrowth period had the highest concentration content (6.8 mg g −1 ). In a pot experiment from vegetative through to the ‘dying inflorescence’ stage, formononetin concentration declined by 57% due to both a reduction in the concentration in stems more than in leaves and an increase in the proportion of stems in the dry matter. A temperature regime of 23/15°C (day/night) advanced flower appearance and adversely affected growth rate compared with 17/13°C. The lower temperature regime resulted in a higher formononetin content in expanded leaves (28% increase, mean of two harvests) and expanding leaves (17% increase). Incubation with β‐glucosidase increased the amount of formononetin extracted in the stems. Phosphate fertiliser reduced the concentration of formononetin, 96 kg P ha −1 reducing formononetin content by 32%, relative to red clover grown in soil with a low P content. The results are discussed in the context of the grazing management of red clover swards.