The effect of nitrogen on the development and photosynthetic activity of Digitaria eriantha Steud. subsp. eriantha.

Abstract

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 enchanced 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

Keywords: ammonium nitrogen; botany; digitaria eriantha; Digitaria eriantha subspecies eriantha; dry matter production; leaf area; morphological development; net photosynthesis; nitrate nitrogen; Nitrogen; Photosynthetic activity; photosynthetic rate; smuts fingergrass; south africa

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.