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Non-destructive assessment of Arundo donax (Poaceae) leaf quality

Spencer, D., Sher, A., Thornby, D., Liow, P.S., Ksander, G. and Tan, W. (2007) Non-destructive assessment of Arundo donax (Poaceae) leaf quality. Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 22 (2). pp. 277-285.

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Publisher URL: http://www.jfreshwaterecol.com/

Abstract

Leaf carbon (C) content, leaf nitrogen (N) content, and C:N ratio are especially useful for understanding plant-herbivore interactions and may be important in developing control methods for the invasive riparian plant Arundo donax L. We measured C content, N content, C:N ratio, and chlorophyll index (SPAD 502 reading) for 768 leaves from A. donax collected over a five year period at several locations in California, Nevada, and Texas. Leaf N was more variable than leaf C, and thus we developed a linear regression equation for estimating A. donax leaf N from the leaf chlorophyll index (SPAD reading). When applied to two independent data sets, the equation (leaf N content % = -0.63 + 0.08 x SPAD) produced realistic estimates that matched seasonal and spatial trends reported from a natural A. donax population. Used in conjunction with the handheld SPAD 502 meter, the equation provides a rapid, non-destructive method for estimating A. donax leaf quality.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Agri-Science, Crop and Food Science, Plant Science
Business groups:Crop and Food Science
Additional Information:© Oikos Publishers, Inc.
Subjects:Science > Biology > Biochemistry
Science > Botany
Live Archive:03 Feb 2009 06:34
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:43

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