Publication Date
1997
Description
The objective of this study was to determine the rate of change in the morphological development of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman). Pure stands of each species were sampled at weekly intervals in 1990 and 1991 at Mead, NE, and morphologically classified as mean stage count (MSC) and mean stage weight (MSW). Linear day of the year equations accounted for 94% of the variation in switchgrass MSC and MSW. Switchgrass MSC and MSW increased at an average rate of 0.0204 and 0.0234 units per day, respectively. Linear day of the year equations accounted for 73 and 84% of the variation in big bluestem MSC and MSW, respectively. Big bluestem MSC and MSW increased at an average rate of 0.0147 and 0.0215 units per day, respectively. The morphological development of switchgrass and big bluestem can be reliably predicted for adapted cultivars in the central Great Plains using day of the year due to the determinate growth habit of these grasses and their strong response to photoperiod.
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Morphological Development Rates of Perennial Forage Grasses
The objective of this study was to determine the rate of change in the morphological development of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman). Pure stands of each species were sampled at weekly intervals in 1990 and 1991 at Mead, NE, and morphologically classified as mean stage count (MSC) and mean stage weight (MSW). Linear day of the year equations accounted for 94% of the variation in switchgrass MSC and MSW. Switchgrass MSC and MSW increased at an average rate of 0.0204 and 0.0234 units per day, respectively. Linear day of the year equations accounted for 73 and 84% of the variation in big bluestem MSC and MSW, respectively. Big bluestem MSC and MSW increased at an average rate of 0.0147 and 0.0215 units per day, respectively. The morphological development of switchgrass and big bluestem can be reliably predicted for adapted cultivars in the central Great Plains using day of the year due to the determinate growth habit of these grasses and their strong response to photoperiod.
