Mesocotyl Development in Russian Wild Ryegrass and its Effect on Survival of Shoot Apices

Abstract

IN the management of grass for seed production the question that often arises is whether or not to remove the aftermath. In Russian wild ryegrass, Elymus junceus Fisch., early spring burning increased yields of seed in some instances¹. With other grasses, workers have obtained increased seed yields by fall burning of residues and attribute the increases to control of injurious insects and diseases^2–5. Accumulation of plant residue had no apparent influence on the seed yield of tall fescue and orchard grass⁶. However, the seed yield of Kentucky blue grass is related to the degree of leaf defoliation, the smaller the amount removed the greater the production of seed the following season⁷.