Digitaria eriantha Steud. subsp. eriantha, plants were grown under controlled conditions and treated with different concentrations and forms of nitrogen. The plants showed a preference for nitrate nitrogen, as opposed to ammonium nitrogen, with greater total dry matter production and leaf areas being recorded. The effect was enhanced as the concentration of nitrate nitrogen was increased. Whole plant net photosynthetic rates appeared to vary according to the units in which the activity is expressed. The optimum levels of photosynthetic activity differed with the stage of development, depending on the basis of expression. The form and concentration of nitrogen applied influenced morphological development and flowering, a result that could have important economic implications.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.