Factors Limiting Plant Growth on High-Level Blanket Peat III. An Analysis of Growth of Molinia Caerulea (L.) Moench. in the Second Year

Abstract

Molinia caerulea from common stock was grown on peat at sea-level (Deer Dike Moss) and at 1850 ft. (564 m.) O.D. (Moor House) in Northern England. A series of harvests were taken during the second season (1959) after planting to study the pattern of growth under 2 different climates. The initial relative growth rate (R.G.R.) in all treatments at Moor House was similar to the R.G.R. in all treatments at Deer Dike Moss. A sharp fall in R.G.R. occurred at Moor House which had no counterpart at Deer Dike Moss. By making certain assumptions about the behavior of the storage organs it was found that later growth at Moor House in the "nitrogen-only" treatment at the high initial R.G.R. was independent of carbohydrate (dry weight) con-tribution from storage.