Some Aspects of Growth in an Undefoliated Stand of Italian Ryegrass

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Abstract
The growth of an undefoliated stand of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in the later stages of establishment was studied in detail for 6 months from winter to summer. The number of tillers per unit of ground area declined throughout the experiment. The rate of leaf appearance and the dimensions of mature leaves increased throughout most of the experiment, whereas the average number of mature leaves per tiller remained relatively constant in June, July and Aug., but increased from Sept. to Nov. The total yield increased from Aug. onwards, a change associated with an increase in the amount of stem. The results are discussed in terms of tissue production and death. It is suggested that the death of tissue and its subsequent decomposition is important in determining the rate at which dry-matter accumulates in grass swards.