Growth dynamics of the branching system in grasses: an architecture-based methodology for quantitative evaluation applied to two genotypes of Paspalum vaginatum

Abstract

The aerial growth dynamics of the shoots of the widespread turfgrass Paspalum vaginatum was studied. With the aim of identifying quantitative differential features between two genotypes, plants were cultivated outdoors in pots during two consecutive summers. Axes of different branching order were marked for periodical observation to quantify internode production rate, axis production rate, covering rate and reproductive effort. The genotypes differed significantly in the following quantitative features: plagiotropic vs. orthotropic axes proportion, internode production rate, flowering vs. vegetative tiller ratio, vegetative cover and spatial distribution of the canopy. Knowledge of these features may help to understand the great plasticity and adaptability of this species to multiple environmental conditions.

Development of Paspalum accession plugs for turfgrass establishment

“…However, the selection of a genotype for lawn-use has consider the survival of the propagating material and its ability to soil cover (Martello et al, 2014), which is directly influenced by the plant architecture, the position of its shoots and nutrient storage. In the Poaceae family, the type of branches, stolons and rhizomes, influence the growing direction of the stems in relation to the soil, which allows many species to adapt to different environments (Fabbri et al, 2019).…”