SULFUR DEFICIENCY AND AMINO-ACID-COMPOSITION IN SEEDS AND GRASS

Sulfur deficiency caused decrease in the sulfur containing amino acids , methionine and cysteine (relative to the nitrogen content) in seeds of rape, grain of barley and wheat, and leaves of Italian ryegrass. Al so the content of other amino acids (relative to the nitrogen content) was affected of sulfur deficiency, e.g. lysine by a decrease. For pea the effect of sulfur deficiency on the amino acid content was much le ss pronounced. In the leaves of Italian ryegrass severe sulfur deficie ncy caused a dramatic increase in the content of aspartic acid (+ aspa ragine). The greater part of this content was present in the free stat e in form of asparagine.