The effect of cutting on carbon dioxide absorption and carbohydrate contents of Ehrharta calycina and Osteospermum sinuatum

Abstract

Removal of 80% of the leaf material (on a fresh mass basis) of Ehrharta calycina (grass) and Osteospermun sinuatum (Karoo-bush) plants during the flag leaf and flower bud stages respectively resulted in a sharp decline in net carbon dioxide absorption. As new photosynthetic material was produced the total carbon dioxide absorption of the cut plants increased until it eventually exceeded that of the control plants.

Keywords: carbon dioxide absorptions|carbohydrates|leaves|fresh masses|grasses|shrubs|bushes|plants|flag leaf stages|flower buds|carbon dioxide|photosynthetic materials|cut plants|sugar concentrations|starch concentrations|Karoo bush|production