Uptake of Nitrate in Winter by Two Ecotypes of Festuca arundinacea Schreb

Abstract

NORTH AFRICAN ecotypes of Festuca arundinacea Schreb (tall fescue) have been found capable of considerable growth during winter in Britain¹. In some circumstances, during this period they have shown yellowing of foliage not seen in indigenous material. The yellowing was confined to regrowth when cold weather followed autumn or winter defoliation and was sometimes followed by death of tillers. Grobbelaar² reported a reduced uptake of nitrate and other nutrients by maize when the root temperature was 15° C or less; Ayres and Doi³ considered that, below a soil temperature of 62° F, absorption of nutrients by sugar cane was depressed.