Regrowth of perennial ryegrass as affected by simulated leaf sheaths

SUMMARY Simulating the accumulation of dead leaf sheaths in perennial ryegrass by masking the tiller bases increased leaf and sheath length and tiller weight but decreased tiller production. Exposure of previously masked tiller bases or stripping back the subtending leaf and sheath to expose the tiller bud in its axil stimulated tiller production. A photomorphogenic effect is postulated which controls the partitioning of dry matter between the growth of new leaf and sheath tissue on existing tillers, and the development of new tillers from tiller buds.