![]() The germination stage begins when temperature and moisture conditions in the soil make it possible for the seed to germinate. If the grass plant is growing from a new seed, there will also be an earlier stage: germination. The basic physiological stages of grass development include the vegetative stage, the elongation stage, and the reproductive stage. ![]() This is one of the characteristics that helps grasses adapt to grazing. As long as the new tillers remain connected to the rest of the grass plant, they can share stored energy reserves while they regrow after being grazed. Thus, each tiller has the ability to become another self-supporting grass plant if it is separated from the rest of the mother plant. As a newly sprouted tiller grows, it will develop its own root system and can eventually sprout more tillers. On each grass tiller, the older leaves are at the bottom newer leaves are above them at the top. As the stem elongates, the internodes (stem areas between the nodes) become longer and some new growing points will be found higher up on the plant stem and leaf collars. Later, as the tiller stem elongates, it will be easier to differentiate the nodes and internodes, and to see that each leaf attaches to the stem at a node. In the spring after dormancy, new growth will be initiated from the tiller’s ground-level growing point. As the tiller begins to grow, additional leaves will emerge. The growing point for each tiller is at or near the ground level. Tillers can develop from seeds, they can shoot out from the base of existing grass plants, or they can arise from stolons or rhizomes.Įach tiller consists of at least one leaf as well as the growing point. When you look closely at the anatomy of a grass plant, you will notice that each plant is a collection of tillers–individual plant shoots–that grow from the base or crown. Learning about plant anatomy and physiology can help in understanding why some grasses do better than others in the pasture, and why some respond very differently to different grazing techniques. As discussed earlier, this is due to differences in how the plants grow. However, other perennial grasses such as smooth bromegrass or timothy are more susceptible to being grazed down too short. ![]() Perennial grasses include species, such as Kentucky bluegrass, that are very well adapted to grazing. Warm-season grasses can produce very high yields of forage for both grazing and harvested feed in the heat of summer. Warm-season grasses, by contrast, grow best and are more productive during hot, dry midsummer weather. Some cool-season varieties, particularly in locations with hot dry summers, may go dormant for a period of time during midsummer. These plants will produce most of their forage dry matter at the beginning of the grazing season. Cool-season perennials like to grow during cool, moist conditions, so they will be most productive in the cool times of spring and fall. Perennial pasture grasses include both warm- and cool-season grasses. Let’s start with the perennials, and discuss the annuals later. Grasses include annuals, which live for just one season, and perennials, which are plants that live for more than two years. Here, I’ll present an overview of plant types and growth habits. ![]() Understanding the differences in how plants like to grow helps us design grazing systems that encourage plants to thrive, build healthy soils, and produce quality feed for livestock. Perennial and annual grasses, legumes, and forbs all have different growth habits, and growth habits also vary even within the grasses group. What is the best grass for cattle grazing? Learn about types of grass, growing habits, and how to select the right grass for your livestock. Home Organization News, Blog, & ArticlesĬhoosing the right grass is crucial to raising the highest quality livestock.Energy Efficiency News, Blog, & Articles.
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