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The influence of nitrogen fertilizer and Acremonium coenophialum on the soluble carbohydrate content of grazed and non‐grased Festuca arundinacea
Author(s) -
BELESKY D. P.,
WILKINSON S. R.,
STUEDEMANN J. A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2494.1991.tb02218.x
Subject(s) - endophyte , festuca arundinacea , biology , agronomy , cultivar , dry matter , carbohydrate , poaceae , zoology , botany , biochemistry
A field study was conducted from 1983 through 1986 to ascertain the effect of endophyte ( Acremonium coenophialum ), nitrogen fertility and tall fescue ( Festuca arundiancea ) genotype upon the soluble carbohydrate content of tall fescue from grazed paddocks. Non‐grazed paddock exclosures were evaluated for 1984 and 1985. Plant tissues were extracted with 0·1 mol 1 −1 H 2 SO 4 to obtain acid‐extractable carbohydrate (AEC). The AEC concentration and yield (concentration × dry matter) varied among and within years, generally was not influenced by endophyte, and was influenced by N fertility and cultivar. The AEC concentration from non‐grazed exclosures was inversely related to AEC yield. Grazed paddock AEC concentration and yield were not significantly correlated. Grazed paddock AEC concentration remained fairly constant over the growing season, whereas AEC yield was greatest during periods of ample rainfall. The cultivar Johnstone generally had the greatest AEC concentration when compared with AU Triumph and KY‐31. Even though endophyte is a carbohydrate sink, sward scale effects on AEC, as influenced by endophyte, were virtually undetected, suggesting that presence of endophyte is not detrimental to the fescue host. Grazed and non‐grazed tall fescue AEC concentration and yield patterns differ and indicate the need to interpret non‐grazed quality and management data carefully.