Variation in the Soluble Carbohydrate Content of Climatic Races of Dactylis Glomerata (Cocksfoot) at Different Temperatures

Abstract

The soluble carbohydrate content of a Mediterranean and a North European population of cocksfoot was studied at four temperatures during a 16-h light and an 8-h dark period. Ethyl alcohol and water extractions were made of leaf blades and leaf sheaths. The extracts showed significant effects of temperature, population, and time of harvest. Fructosans in the leaf sheaths showed the most marked effect of temperature and population in that rising temperature rapidly reduced the fructosan content which in the North European population was significantly higher at low temperatures. The greatest diurnal fluctuations of carbohydrates occurred in alcohol extracts from the leaf blades, with a rise in their concentration during the light period and a rapid fall in the dark.