Temperature and Leaf Growth in Four Grass Species

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Abstract
Leaf extension rates of Lolium perenne, L. multiflorum, Festuca arundinacea and Phleum pratense were measured in the field using artificial soil heating as a treatment. Leaf extension rates were generally greatest in L. multiflorum and least in P. pratense. The interval between the appearance of successive leaves was generally longest in F. arundinacea and shortest in P. pratense. Leaf extension rates were closely related to the temperature in the region of the stem apex, though the relationship was different in the vegetative and reproductive phase. Leaves grew more slowly in the vegetative phase than in the reproductive phase at similar temperatures. The change occurred at the onset of floral initiation in each of the species. In the vegetative phase, temperature had the greatest effect on leaf extension in F. arundinacea and least effect in P. pratense. In the reproductive phase the difference between species was not significant.