Synchronism of leaf and tiller emergence relative to position and to main stem development stage in a rice cultivar

Tillering is an essential factor when estimating yield, but investigations rarely include both the temporal and spatial changes that occur in tillers. This study analyses the morphology and development dynamics of each tiller, based on its topological location, the timing of appearance and main stem development stage.

An indica cultivar of rice, 'Ir64', glasshouse-grown (25/20 degrees C, 12 h photoperiod), was used to examine the emergence, phenology and morphology of each axis starting at the third leaf stage up to heading.

Little variability was observed in the structural and morphological characteristics of the tillers, and the rice population appeared to be hierarchical. Blade length initially increased with leaf rank and then decreased sharply for the last three leaves. The number of phytomers per axis decreased with branching order and rank. An analysis of plant dynamics showed synchronous emergence of the leaves on the main stem and on the tillers up to flowering. Axillary bud development into tillers depended on their topological location and plant developmental stage.

The timing and frequency of flowering tillers complied with rules of priority depending on their order, rank and emergence time. Precise description of plant topology in grasses is a useful tool that can be used to quantify growth events and predict tillering in terms of location, structure and fate according to growing conditions.