| Abstract: | In a recent paper by Anslow it was concluded that there was no significant relationship between Leaf-area Index, light interception and growth rate in a perennial ryegrass sward. The author further concluded that higher growth rates would not be obtained by attention to this relationship. The data presented by Anslow are re-examined in this paper and the results of the analysis showed that: (a) recovery growth of the swards followed a sigmoid pattern of growth, (b) at low values of LAI growth rate was low and maximum growth rate was attained when most of the visible light was intercepted by leaves, and (c) the relationship between yield and LAI was linear, indicating that leaf-area increase after defoliation also followed a sigmoid pattern. These results are discussed in relation to Anslow's interpretation. |
