Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Malahy, Michael [1], Doust, Andrew [1].

Pattern of vegetative architectural development in green millet (Setaria viridis) under varied planting densities.

Vegetative architecture refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of branches in space. In grasses, vegetative architecture influences the ability of the plant to compete for light and other resources and ultimately affects economically important traits such as grain yield and biomass. Green millet (Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv.) is a small, weedy, panicoid grass and the wild progenitor of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.), which is being developed as a model genetic system for biofuels grasses such as switchgrass. Patterns of vegetative development in green millet were analyzed in non-limiting conditions and under different planting densities to determine the effect of shading on vegetative architecture. In non-limiting conditions, axillary branches were produced acropetally from the base beginning 12 days after planting and continued until anthesis of the main culm. Four orders of branches were observed with the pattern of development on secondary and tertiary branches recapitulating the pattern of the culm. This pattern was observed again under reduced planting density, however, at high planting density, size and number of axillary branches was highly variable. At high planting density, phenotypic characters that relate to the overall size of the plant,such as height and branch number, were highly variable as compared to the relative phenotypic uniformity of individuals in the reduced density block.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Oklahoma State University, Botany, 104 Life Sciences East, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

Keywords:
Millets
plant architecture
vegetative development
branching.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 16
Location: Lindell A/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 4:00 PM
Number: 16010
Abstract ID:556