Tillering Responses to Enrichment of Red Light Beneath the Canopy in a Humid Natural Grassland

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Abstract
Enrichment of red light at the base of dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) and smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus [L.] R. Br.) plants in a dense humid natural grassland was obtained by use of small light-emitting diodes around the crown of each grass plant. Results of this study supported the hypothesis that modification in light quality by a dense grassland canopy was detrimental to tiller populations. Tillering rates were increased and tiller death delayed until the end of the growing season when additional red light was supplied to the crown of plants. The photocontrol of axillary bud activity may be part of a system whereby the tiller dynamics would be related to resources availability. These results also suggest that maintenance of a grass sward at a high leaf area index might not be a good management strategy for long-term productivity.