Changes in the major chemical constituents of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) during growth. I. The carbohydrates.

Abstract

The carbohydrates of a series of subterranean clover samples of combined leaf and petiole tissue, cut a t intervals during the growing season, were determined. The percentages of free and total reducing sugars remained relatively constant in the young plant, increased markedly during budding and flower formation, and subsequently fell to a very low level. A "reserve carbohydrate" fraction, which may include starch, was present in very small amounts, but fructosans appeared to be absent. Of the structural carbohydrates, cellulose percentages were almost constant until the beginning of wilting, after which there was a steep rise. The percentages of hemicelluloses not isolated in the cellulose fraction, when calculated as pentosan, remained fairly steady throughout. The total weights per acre of the total sugars, cellulose, and the hemicelluloses were calculated.