SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SHOOT SYSTEM COMPONENTS IN EASTERN GAMAGRASS

Tiller production and compound shoot development of eastern gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides, began in late spring and continued until the 1st killing frost in mid-Oct. On shoots initiated in 1977, root development began in early Aug. and peaked in Sep. Single shoots developed 1-6 mature phytomers during their 1st growing season. Reproductive shoot development was first noted in early May, peaked in late May, and continued into Oct. The proaxes of tillers, single shoots and compound shoots perennated through the 1976-1977 winter dormant period. Shoots that over-wintered as tillers had advanced to the single shoot stage by late Aug. 1977 and had produced 8-20 mature phytomers by the end of the growing season. Compound shoots initiated before 1977 developed into reproductive shoots or died by late May 1977. From May through July high percentages of the shoot system components were in the tiller and reproductive shoot stages. During this period vegetative propagation would probably not be feasible and the use of proper management practices might be more critical than during other periods.