The effect of thermal and mechanical treatment on the drying rates of leaves and flowering stem internodes of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) measured in the laboratory

SUMMARYThe drying rate of leaves and stem internodes from flowering culms of two varieties of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) were measured in the laboratory in controlled conditions of temperature (28 °C), relative humidity (22%) and air speed (40 cm/sec), without treatment, or after being subjected to thermal treatment or to mechanical damage followed by thermal treatment. The two treatments increased the drying rate of leaves and, to a greater extent, stem internodes.While it cannot be concluded that all treatments that increase crop drying rate will increase the rate for stems more than for leaves, these results are considered to indicate the possibility of devising practical treatments which will. Such treatments could reduce leaf shatter and consequent serious loss of dry matter during the field drying of grass crops.