The Relationship between Reproductive and Vegetative Growth in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Meadow Fescue (F. pratensis Huds.)

Abstract

The relationship between attributes of vegetative and reproductive growth was examined in tall fescue and meadow fescue. There was a negative relation between vegetative and reproductive growth in terms of the relative proportion of vegetative and reproductive tillers at flowering time. A greater proportion of reproductive tillers resulted in more efficient seed production but it caused reduced herbage production under frequent cutting. Cultivars generally tended to show a higher proportion of reproductive tillers and thus larger reproductive growth relative to a vegetative one than natural populations in both species.