Nitrate Effects on Growth of the First Four Main Stem Leaves of a Range of Temperate Cereals and Pasture Grasses

Abstract

The effects of different applied NO 3 - concentrations on extension growth and final length and area of leaves 1-4 of five cereals and six pasture grasses of temperate origin were examined. Increased applied NO 3 - in the range 0.1-5.0 mol m -3 caused decreased duration of growth but increased growth rate and final length of leaves 2-4 of the cereals Avena sativa, Hordeum vulgare, Secale cereale, × Triticosecale and Triticum aestivum. For all cereals, increased NO 3 - resulted in increased area of leaves 1-4(.)