The Effect of the Prevention of the Production of Additional Root Axes upon the Growth of Plants of Lolium perenne

Abstract

Plants were prevented from forming additional nodal root axes by raising the base of the shoot above the level of the surrounding soil, so keeping the base dry. Shoot growth from one to three weeks after new root axes ceased to be produced was slightly reduced, but root growth was considerably decreased. Shoot regrowth following repeated defoliation was reduced by lack of new root axes but not significantly so until after four defoliations: the regrowth had low calcium and phosphorus contents. The results are discussed in relation to the growth of the root and shoot systems and mineral nutrition.