Development of Axillary Buds from Johnsongrass Rhizomes

Abstract

Apical dominance, as maintained by above-ground foliage or individual rhizome apexes, is very marked in johnsongrass. (Sorghum halepense[L.] Pers.). Axillary bud development in single-node segments excised from individual rhizome pieces was least at the proximal end with increasing activity toward the distal end (apex end). Within serially excised, multi-node sections, axillary bud development was least at the proximal end and greatest at the distal end, and there was an overall increase in bud activity from proximal to distal ends of the rhizome pieces. This was true irrespective of whether the multi-node sections were cultured vertically (with buds oriented above the nodes) or were inverted (with buds oriented below the nodes). Lateral rhizomes exerted a dominating influence on the development of axillary buds from their parent rhizomes, as did the apical meristems of the parent rhizomes.