RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEAF STAGES OF CEREAL CROPS OR GRASSY WEEDS AND DAYS FROM SEEDING

Abstract

Rate of leaf development was studied on three spring cereals and two grassy weeds for 4 yr. Plots were seeded on two dates in each of 3 yr and on only one in the fourth year. Leaf stage development was determined three times a week from emergence to flag leaf stage. The time to advance from one leaf stage to the next was found to be: 6.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.8 and 5.7 days, respectively, for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), wild oats (Avena fatua L.), and green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.). Time from seeding to emergence was found to be reasonably consistent within species and an estimate is given for the number of days from seeding when the spring cereals can be expected to reach a given leaf stage.