Effect of Detaching Culms on Seed Development in Phalaris

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Abstract
The development of seed in Phalaris tuberosa has been followed both in intact culms and in culms detached from the plant and placed in water. This development occupied a period of approximately 30 days. During this time labelling experiments with 14CO2 indicated that only those assimilates produced from photosynthesis in the inflorescence and in the upper part of the stem were utilized in the developing seed. These experiments also indicated that the culm can be virtually autonomous with respect to the supply of assimilate and nutrients to the developing seed. Detaching culms at anthesis resulted in a reduction in total photosynthesis during the later stages of development. However, it is unlikely that the supply of assimilate to the florets is the primary cause of the reduction found in seed set and seed weight. The ability of detached culms to mature viable seed suggests a valuable role for this technique in grass-breeding programmes.