| Popis: |
In order to manipulate the concentration of different nitrogen compounds in chicory roots, two kinds of field treatments were carried out on witloof chicory plants: mechanical defoliation and ethephon spray. Plant growth, free amino acid-, soluble protein- and bound protein content of roots and foliage during the growing season were determined. In roots from defoliated plants, bound proteins were hydrolysed to provide extra free amino acids, which were used for the growth of new foliage. Ethephon treatment resulted in an increase in soluble protein- and free amino acid content in the roots, with a concomitant decrease of bound protein- and free amino acid content in the foliage, due to accelerated remobilization of N-compounds from the senescencing leaves. In general, bound proteins were preferentially hydrolysed to provide in transportable N-compounds (amino acids) for remobilization to the roots. |
Full Text from ScienceDirect