Regrowth Rates of Timothy and Meadow Fescue as Related to the Content of Remaining Water-soluble Carbohydrates and Non-elongated Tillers

Abstract

The relationship between regrowth rates and the content of water-soluble carbohydrates in stubble (WSC) and percentage of non-elongated tillers (PNT) was studied in timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) cut at different phenological stages. Single plants were grown in pots and cut outdoors and then regrown under controlled climatic conditions. The data for the dry matter production during the following 3 weeks were fitted to an expolinear growth equation to determine an initial maximum relative regrowth rate (R m) and a daily maximum regrowth rate (C m). C m appeared to be positively correlated to PNT in both species, whereas R m was increased with increasing WSC. For regrowth after later cuts of meadow fescue there was a positive contribution to R m by PNT.