Biomass production and distribution of water-soluble carbohydrate reserves in Greek populations of Dactylis glomerata L. growing in contrasting environments

Greek populations of Dactylis glomerata L. from different bioclimatic zones were studied under the same climatic conditions, in order to investigate biomass production and the distribution of watersoluble carbohydrate reserves during the growing season. One population was from north (Taxiarchis), one from central (Pertouli) and one from south Greece (Crete island). The population from Crete had the lower dry matter production but the higher concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates. The concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates in leaves, shoots and roots for the population of Crete and Taxiarchis decreased gradually from the beginning to the middle of growing season and increased again at the end. On contrary, for the population of Pertouli this concentration in shoots and roots constantly decreased, while in leaves constantly increased from the beginning to the end of the growing season. Generally, the populations of Crete and Taxiarchis tend to store water-soluble carbohydrates in stubbles and roots, while the population of Pertouli in leaves.