Nitrogen utilization and bud activity in blue panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz)

Abstract

Blue panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz) plants were grown in a sand culture, subjected to contrasting forms of nitrogen fertilization applied at differing rates and harvested at varying intervals following fertilization. A determination of total nitrogen in plant material was used to evaluate uptake efficiency. Fractionations of the total nitrogen portion into insoluble, soluble, nitrate, and soluble reduced N forms were used to evaluate the metabolic effectiveness of this grass. Further studies were made to aid in determining causes of vigor decline of blue panicgrass including dormancy associated with the activity and vigor of rhizome, crown, and stem buds; comparisons of extreme defoliation methods; and varying rates of nitrogen fertilization. ...