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Effects of Defoliation Treatments on Morphological Characteristics and Carbohydrate Reserves in Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.)

Various management practices on ldeingrass (Panicum coloratumL.) were evaluated in terms of yield, leaf area, tiller number, crown weight, stubble leaf area, and total non-structural carbohydrates. Kleingrass was cut at 3-, 4- and 5-week frequencies at heights of 5 and 15 cm. Two dates of initial cutting in the spring-were used. Yield was essentially uniform across all treatment combinations. Neither leaf area removed nor number of tillers removed was influenced by defoliation frequency, which indicates that tiller and leaf area development occurred at a constant rate. While these data indicate no critical stage in the defoliation of kleingrass, both crown size and stubble (residual) leaf area tended to be lower with week defoliation. All stubble, crown and growth parameters measured (tillers removed, leaf area removed, residual leaf area, crown size, and total non-structural carbohydrates) except yield were favored by the taller cutting height. These results indicate a potential height effect on yield which may be reflected in subsequent performance.

Key Words: Leaf area • Crown size • Tiller number • Defoliation frequencies • Cutting-heights

² Formerly Graduate Research Assistant (now Assistant Prolessor, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Beaumont, Texas) and Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Texas Ag:M University, College Station Texas 77843.

Received for publication April 16, 1971.