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The effect of potassium carbonate solution on the drying of lucerne: 1. Laboratory studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. N. Tullberg  and
D. E. Angus
J. N. Tullberg
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Queensland Agricultural College, Lawes 4345, Australia
D. E. Angus
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Queensland, St Lucia 4067, Australia
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Summary

The drying rate of fully exposed individual lucerne plants was substantially increased following brief immersion in 0·18 M potassium carbonate solution. The increase was maintained over a range of drying conditions, and at low moisture contents, but the use of more concentrated potassium carbonate solutions yielded no further increase. Changes in leaf:stem ratio had a smaller effect on the drying rate of potassium carbonate treated lucerne than on untreated lucerne.

Tests with diffusive resistance and viscous flow porometers support the hypothesis that potassium carbonate solution changes the water transmitting properties of the cuticular waxes.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 91 , Issue 3 , December 1978 , pp. 551 - 556
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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