Influence of temperature and growth stage on the diurnal fluctuation in the non‐structural carbohydrate content of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst)

Abstract

The non‐structural carbohydrates of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst) seem to consist mainly of sucrose. Total non‐structural carbohydrate content increased rapidly during the morning and reached maximum concentration in the afternoon. After sunset, the concentration decreased rapidly, reaching a minimum level by midnight. Low temperatures resulted in a significantly higher non‐structural carbohydrate content in all plant fractions than at warmer growth temperatures. Non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations were higher in stem tissue than in leaf material and the values were higher in 3‐week than in 6‐week regrowth.

Die nie‐strukturele koolhidrate van kikoejoe (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst) bestaan hoofsaaklik uit sukrose. Totale nie‐strukturele koolhidrate het vinnig toegeneem gedurende die oggend en het ‘n maksimum konsentrasie gedu‐rende die middag bereik. Na donker het die konsentrasie vinnig gedaal en ‘n minimum waarde is teen middernag bereik. Lae temperature het ‘n betekenisvol hoër nie‐strukturele koolhidraatinhoud in allé plantfraksies teweeggebring as hoër temperature. Nie‐strukturele koolhidraatkonsentrasies was hoër in die stingelweefsel as in die blaarmateriaal en die waardes was ook hoër in hergroei na drie as na ses weke.

Additional index words:

• Fructose
• glucose
• nitrogen
• sucrose