Leaf strength studies of pasture grasses II. Strength, cellulose content and sclerenchyma tissue proportions of eight grasses grown as single plants

Abstract

1. Leaf strengths and cellulose contents of eight grasses grown as single spaced plants were compared over a period of 14 months. From some of the samples the proportion of sclerenchyma tissue in the leaves was compared with leaf strength.2. The leaf strengths of individual plants were measured and the strengths of the six strongest and six weakest plants in each species compared with their cellulose contents.3. There were significant differences between species, between seasons, and between regrowth ages within seasons in both leaf strength and cellulose content. There were also significant species × regrowth age interactions, particularly in leaf strength.