The Control of Tillering in the Barley Plant 1. The Pattern of Tillering and its Relation to Nutrient Supply

Abstract

The tillering patterns of barley plants were followed from germination until grain maturity under a variety of nutrient regimes. Where nutrients were supplied solely before germination, tiller emergence was restricted to two periods in the development of the plants, and the extent and duration of tillering in the first phase was governed by nutrient supply. The period of non-tillering which followed was not due to the absence of tiller buds and could be terminated at any time by the application of nutrients; the recommencement of tillering late in the development of the plant was not directly related to the development of the early tillers.