A study of the position of grass growing points in two species under different systems of management

A simple technique for measuring the position of grass growing points in relation to the soil surface was found to be satisfactory during internode elongation. Grazing or mowing treatments applied to Lolium ( multiflorum x perenne ) ‘Grasslands Manawa’ (short‐rotation ryegrass) or Dactylis glomerata L. ‘Grasslands Apanui’(cocksfoot) plots revealed that, in mid‐spring, the ryegrass growing points were near the soil surface, whereas in cocksfoot they were approximately 13 mm deep. Removal of growing points stimulated basal and secondary tillers in ryegrass, delayed the appearance of spikes, and reduced their number. Similar effects in cocksfoot were less pronounced. The discussion considers seed yields and the probability that grass growing points below the soil surface may sometimes be accessible to animals.