CAROTENOIDS IN LAND PLANTS 



there appears to be no doubt that the effect of drought is much less 

 marked with legumes than with other plants. ^ * 



Although at maturity the carotene concentration can be as low as 

 one half the maximal value, ^ ' this does not mean that the total amount 

 of carotene in the plant is reduced. There is no completely satisfactory 

 evidence on this point, but when a survey of the available data is made, 



150 



200 



150 



100 



50 



■• Carotene concentration 

 Carotene content 



25 



40 



60 



80 

 Days after sowing 



100 



120 



Fig. 6. — Showing the variation in the carotene concentration and carotene 

 content in the developing maize {after Porter, J. W., Stror)g, F. M., Br'mk, 

 R. A., and Neal, N. P. {1946) J. Agric.Jles., 72, 169). 



it emerges that during the later stages of maturation, the carotene 

 content of a plant remains rather more constant than does the con- 

 centration. {iSee Fig. 6.) 



From the point of view of total yield, it is probably best to. harvest 



21 



