U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
November 1976
Abstract
An in vitro assay for tall fescue leaf nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was established that required either O.5 % casein or polyvinylpyrrolidone in the extraction medium for maximal activity. Leaf NRA was proportional to light intensity and fertility levels. Mature tissue and high temperature decreased NRA. NRA showed significant genetic variability in broadly based genotypes and genotypes selected for photosynthetic rates and forage yields. However, progeny of the latter did not show significant genetic variability. High coefficients of variation (30-50%) among the heterogeneous progeny may have masked true genetic differences. No significant correlations were found between NRA and photosynthesis or yield in the parents.
Comments
Published in 1976 Annual Meetings: AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY CROP SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA