FIELD MEASUREMENT OF ETIOLATED GROWTH OF RHIZOMATOUS GRASSES

Defoliation effects on grasses have been quantified with measurements of etiolated growth since the 1960's, however, field techniques for me asuring etiolated growth of rhizomatous grasses with dispersed tillers have not been reported, Tents constructed with landscape fabric were used in a field study of 2 species of rhizomatous grass, When manufact ured, the woven polypropylene fabric is needle punched for air and wat er permeability, Light that may pass through perforations has no measu rable effect on etiolated growth as indicated by a test of single and double layers of fabric, Tents can be sized to shade borders around in terior sample areas to prevent translocation from outside tillers to h arvested tillers, Landscape fabric tents are light weight and reusable and eliminate breakage, water vapor, and storage problems associated with other covers.