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Mefluidide‐Induced Nitrate Accumulation in Pearl Millet Forage 1
Author(s) -
Fales S. L.,
Wilkinson R. E.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1984.00021962007600050033x
Subject(s) - poaceae , pennisetum , forage , perennial plant , agronomy , chemistry , nitrate , biology , organic chemistry
Several recent studies have reported that mefluidide { N ‐[2,4‐di‐methyl‐5‐[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]sulfonyl]amino]phenyl]acetamid} can improve the forage quality of perennial cool‐season grasses; however, there is no published information concerning the response of summer annual grasses to this growth regulator. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of different rates of mefluidide application on growth, total‐N, and NO 3 N concentration in pearl millet [ Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke]. In controlled environment experiments, mefluidide inhibited the growth of pearl millet when applied at the vegetative stage. On a whole plant basis, total N increased linearly with mefluidide rate from 1.3 mol kg ‒1 in control plants to 2.4 mol kg ‒1 in 1.12 kg ha ‒1 mefluidide‐treated plants. Nitrate‐N concentration increased linearly from 14.3 mmol kg ‒1 in control plants to 278.6 mmol kg ‒1 in 1.12 kg ha ‒1 mefluidide‐treated plants. Similar results were obtained for leaf tissue, the largest differences occurring as mefluidide rate was increased to 1.12 kg ha ‒1 . Total N increased from 1.7 mol kg ‒1 in control leaves to 2.7 mol kg ‒1 in 1.12 kg ha ‒1 mefluidide leaves, and to 2.8 mol kg ‒1 in 2.24 kg ha ‒1 mefluidide‐treated leaves. Nitrate‐N increased from 42.8 mmol kg ‒1 in control leaves to 314.3 mmol kg ‒1 in 1.12 kg ha ‒1 mefluidide‐treated leaves and declined to 250 mmol kg ‒1 in 2.24 kg ha ‒1 mefluidide‐treated leaves. Concentrations of total N and NO 3 ‐N were inversely related to dry matter yield, implying that accumulations were a result of sustained nitrate uptake in the absence of growth. Levels of NO 3 ‐N were reached that could be potentially hazardous to livestock, indicating that mefluidide should be used with caution on pearl millet.