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Amino Acid and Carbohydrate Composition of Leaves of Tall Fescue Genotypes Differing in Malic Acid Accumulation¹

Malic acid has been shown to vary in concentration among tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) genotypes. The purpose of this study was to determine free amino acid and nonstructural carbohydrate composition in genotypes that had high and low levels of malic acid. Serine, glutamic acid, and alanine were the most abundant free amino acids in leaf tissue after 2 weeks of regrowth in a greenhouse. Of the 15 amino acids analyzed, all except proline showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in concentrations among the eight genotypes. Concentration of total free amino acids was highest (1.48% of dry wt.) in genotype 184-1 which had the lowest malic acid content (0.35% of dry wt.) Genotype V6-4 was low in free amino acids (0.69% of dry wt.), but highest in malic acid content (1.93% of dry wt.). The other six genotypes were similar to V6-4 in total free amino acid content (0.63 to 0.97% of dry wt.) even though there was a wide range 0.49 to 1.76% of dry wt.) in malic acid. Concentrations of total nonstructural carbohydrates, and the fructosanplus-sucrose fraction were positively associated with malic acid content genotypes. Results suggest that free amino acids may substitute for malic acid and fructosan plus sucrose as temporary storage of carbon in some genotypes of tall fescue (e.g. 184-1). Genotype 184-1 was most noticeably higher than other genotypes in serine and glutamic acid.

Key Words: Festuca arundinacea Schreb. • Storage energy • Forage breeding

² Former research assistant, Dep. of Biochemistry (now associate professor, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of South, Bahia Blanca. Argentina); professors, Dep. of Biochemistry and Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201; and plant geneticist USDA-ARS, Logan, Utah.

Received for publication November 14, 1975.

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