Publication Date

1997

Description

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a C4 perennial indigenous to North and Central America with potential as a bioenergy crop. Our objective was to determine the relationship between plant density, N and water stress in switchgrass. We measured aboveground plant and tiller mass, tiller number, and stage of development during 1993 and 1994. There were responses to all factors studied, but the responses were dependent on year. Nitrogen tended to increase tiller mass and number and increased stage of development in 1994. Water stress reduced tiller mass and maturity at harvest in the seeding year (1993). Managers can exert influence over these factors in managed swards to manipulate development and production.

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Switchgrass Growth at Various Plant Densities

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a C4 perennial indigenous to North and Central America with potential as a bioenergy crop. Our objective was to determine the relationship between plant density, N and water stress in switchgrass. We measured aboveground plant and tiller mass, tiller number, and stage of development during 1993 and 1994. There were responses to all factors studied, but the responses were dependent on year. Nitrogen tended to increase tiller mass and number and increased stage of development in 1994. Water stress reduced tiller mass and maturity at harvest in the seeding year (1993). Managers can exert influence over these factors in managed swards to manipulate development and production.