The carotene content of certain species of grassland herbage

Abstract

The total nitrogen and carotene have been determined in sixty-three samples of white clover, cocksfoot, rye-grass and timothy taken at different times during the growing season from various localities.Except for rye-grass, there was more carotene in the leaves and stems than in the heads or flowers. A late dressing of ammonium sulphate increased the carotene content of rye-grass by 55 and 17% in the leaves and heads respectively. The effects of lime and slag on the carotene content of cocksfoot and rye-grass were much less marked and there were no obvious effects due to environment.The predominant factor in determining both nitrogen and carotene, which were very closely related, was stage of growth. Grazing effected important increases in both constituents.