Abstract
Abstract The distribution of some nutrient elements in parts of Desmodium intortum cv. Greenleaf plants of different age was studied in order to determine the most appropriate sampling technique for chemical analysis of nutrient status. When expressed on a dry weight basis, concentrations of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Al, B and Mn in plant parts of similar physiological age declined with plant age, thus necessitating a standardized plant age for sampling. Only Zn concentrations remained stable with plant age. When expressed relative to tissue water, concentrations of P, S, Mg, Al, B and Mn changed little with plant age because percentage dry matter in all plant parts increased with plant age. On a tissue water basis, K concentrations still decreased with plant age. Concentrations of N and Ca were most stable with plant age when expressed relative to tissue fresh weight.
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