Carbohydrate and Organic Nitrogen Concentrations within Range Grass Parts at Maturity

Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) levels were significantly different among eight range grasses at maturity. Roots, rhizomes, and stem bases (storage organs), differed significantly in percentage TNC within rhizomatous and bunch-type (non-rhizomatous) grasses. Percent organic nitrogen differed significantly among grasses and storage organs but not to the same extent as occurred with TNC. We suggest that TNC concentrations of storage organs must be determined for each grass before sampling for TNC levels, in order to locate storage organs with greatest TNC concentration.