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The concentrations of total non-structural carbohydrate (%TNC) and its various forms (soluble sugars and starch) were measured in white clover plants that were grown in a glasshouse with different levels of P supply (0, 30, 90, and 180 mg/pot) and subjected to 3 defoliation frequencies (1, 2, and 4 defoliations over 36 days). Frequent defoliation reduced %TNC. Increasing P supply to the clover plants had the opposite effect, but to a lesser extent, and tended to reverse the decline in %TNC resulting from frequent defoliation. Stolons were the plant parts where most of the non-structural carbohydrate reserves were stored, with concentrations varying from <2 to >11% TNC on a dry weight basis, according to the treatment received. Minimal changes occurred in the %TNC for the leaves or roots as a result of treatments. The fluctuations in non-structural carbohydrate concentration in the stolons were mainly due to changes in the starch concentration, since the stolon sugar concentration was relatively constant between various treatments. A logistic curve closely defined the relationship ( |
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