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Carbohydrates in Grasses: V. Incorporation of ¹⁴C into Plant Parts and Nonstructural Carbohydrates of Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) at Three Developmental Stages¹

Distribution of photosynthates in forage grasses is important in terms of yield, quality, and persistence. The objectives of this study were to learn more about the distribution of ¹⁴C fed to timothy (Phleum pratense L.) at different growth stages and to follow its incorporation into nonstructural carbohydrates of stem bases. Plants at three developmental stages — initiation of stem elongation, ear emergence, and anthesis N were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂. Plants were harvested at 1, 3, 8, 32, and 168 hr following exposure. Specific activity of ¹⁴C in leaf blades, leaf sheaths, inflorescences, stems, stem bases, roots, and yellow leaves was measured. Radioactivity in each plant part was calculated and expressed as a percentage of total plant radioactivity.

One week following exposure to ¹⁴CO₂ at initiation of stem elongation, roots and leaves were primary recipients of ¹⁴C. At ear emergence stems and inflorescences were major sinks. One week following feeding at anthesis, stems and roots contained 73% of the total plant ¹⁴C. At initiation of stem elongation, very little ¹⁴C was incorporated into the fructosan fraction of the stem bases, whereas at ear emergence and anthesis, labelled fructosan was more abundant. Major storage of fructosan took place after most meristematic sinks were satisfied.

Key Words: Gel-filtration • Sugars • Fructosans

² Formerly Research Assistant (now Assistant Professor of Agronomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506) and Professor of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.

Received for publication March 4, 1972.