IMPORTANCE OF THE PHYLLOCHRON IN STUDYING DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN GRASSES

The phyllochron, which is defined as the interval between similar grow th stages of successive leaves on the same culm, has been used extensi vely to describe and understand development of grasses. The purpose of this paper is to introduce seven papers presented as part of the symp osium Understanding Development and Growth in Grasses: Role of the Phy llochron Concept. Environmental (temperature, eater, and day length) f actors and genetics affect the duration of the phyllochron. The follow ing seven papers broaden the discussion of these topics and present ne w concepts about how the environment and genetics impact the relations hip between leaf appearance and whole plant development.