Effects of Temperature and Daylength on Axillary Bud and Tiller Development in Blue Grama

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the nature of tiller development and the influence of light and temperature on growth and development of the axillary buds and tillers of blue grama. An axillary bud, enclosed in a prophyllum was found at each node of the culm. The development of the axillary bud into a tiller is a function of temperature. Controlled increase of temperatures in early spring increased the rate of axillary bud and tiller development in blue grama. The data also indicate that controlled reduction in length of photoperiod decreased the growth of axillary buds and development of tillers.