Tillering responses to enrichment of red light beneath the canopy in a humid natural grassland.
Abstract
Paspalum dilatatum and Sporobolus indicus plants growing in dense humid natural grassland were illuminated basally with red light by use of light-emitting diodes at the crown of each plant. Results suggested that modification in light quality by a dense grassland canopy was detrimental to tiller populations; tillering rate increased and tiller death was delayed until the end of the growing season when additional red light was supplied to the crown. It is suggested that photocontrol of axillary bud activity may be part of a system relating tiller dynamics to resource availability. Maintenance at a high LAI may not be a good management strategy for long-term productivity.