Effects of temperature, light and certain growth regulating substances on sprouting, rooting and growth of single‐node rhizome and shoot segments of Paspalum distichum L.

Summary The rate of sprouting, rooting and early growth of both single‐node stem and rhizome segments of Paspalum distichum L. increased as incubation temperatures increase to about 30°C and then declined at 40°C. There was little growth at 10°C. Single‐node shoots remained viable at cooler temperatures after 1 days’incubation at 45°C, and 35% remained viable after 2 days’incubation at 45°C. Both shoot and rhizome segments sprouted and rooted at alternating temperatures of 45°C/28°C and 45°C/22°C. Generally sprouting and rooting of shoot segments were faster than in rhizome segments, but the response to temperature was similar for both sprouting and rooting of single‐node shoot and rhizome segments. Single‐node shoot segments sprouted faster in 16‐h day lengths than in the dark. Rooting was better in the dark at 10°C, unaffected by light at 22 and 28°C, and faster in the light at 35 and 40°C. Sprouting, rooting and early growth were enhanced by gibberellin A 3 , kinetin and indole‐3‐acetic acid. Shoots collected at different seasons differed in their sprouting and rooting responses at various incubation temperatures. These patterns varying in response to seasonal temperature fluctuations may provide a survival mechanism for P. distichum.