Biotech Studies 1997, Vol 6, Num, 2     (Pages: 049-061)

CHANGES IN MORPHOLOGICAL, AGRONOMICAL, AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CRESTED WHEATGRASS (Agropyron cristatum Gaertn.) IN RELATION TO TIME, PLANT HEIGHT, AND ABOVE-GROUND BlOMASS

Ahmet GÖKKUŞ 1 ,Ali KOÇ 2 ,Adil BAKOĞLU 2

1 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi. ÇANAKKALE
2 Atatürk Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, ERZURUM
- This study re-evaluated the data from an experiment conducted in 1994 on crested wheatgrass, one of the best adaptive forage crops in Eastern Anotolia Region. In the study plant samples were taken at weekly intervals between the onset of spring re-growth and flowering stage, and at fortnightly intervals starting from flowering until the beginning of winter far measurements and analyses of plant height, aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, leaf ratio, dry matter content, crude protein content, crude cellulose content calcium content, potassium content, magnesium content and K/(Ca + Mg). All the parameters were regressed against time, plant height and aboveground biomass. All the parameters regressed varied significantly (P< 0.01 or P< 0.05) with time and plant height. Whereas similar relationships were recorded with aboveground biomass except for belowground biomass, Ca and K contents. Analyses and regression graphics are presented and discussed in the paper. Keywords : Crested Wheatgrass, Plant Height, Agronomical Characters, Morphological Characters, Chemical Composition