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Characterisation of phosphorus uptake by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) during regrowth

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 22:19 authored by Burkitt, LL, Lydia Turner, Donaghy, DJ, Fulkerson, WJ, Smethurst, PJ, Roche, JR
The leaf regrowth stage of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is an effective and generic measure to determine the optimum time for defoliation and refects important physiological processes. Previous research suggests that uptake of phosphorus (P) fertiliser by perennial ryegrass during regrowth may vary with leaf development stage, however little research has been undertaken in this area. The current study aimed to characterise P uptake with sequential leaf development, in order to provide knowledge which could be used to improve the effciency of P fertiliser uptake. A glasshouse study was used to investigate the uptake of P by ryegrass grown in soil with optimum P fertility. Results showed a positive linear relationship between the 10-leaf stage increments (ranging from 0 to 4 leaves) and both the change in P content in leaves and P uptake by the whole plant (leaves, tiller bases and roots) (P < 0.001 for both relationships and R2 = 0.58 and 0.48 respectively). The linear relationship showed that an increasing amount of P was removed from the soil as the regrowth cycle progressed and, although P uptake was greatest at the 4-leaf stage of regrowth, the optimum time of defoliation for perennial ryegrass is between the 2-leaf and 3-leaf stages of regrowth. This suggests that the greatest uptake of P by the plant can be enabled by providing adequate soil P availability prior to the optimum 2-leaf to 3-leaf defoliation interval.

History

Publication title

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research

Volume

52

Pagination

195-202

ISSN

0028-8233

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

RSNZ Publishing

Place of publication

New Zealand

Rights statement

Copyright 2009 The Royal Society of New Zealand

Repository Status

  • Restricted

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