Selection response and developmental basis for early and late panicle emergence in Alamo...

For many determinate crop species, delayed flowering, associated with the production of more mainstem leaves and/or a reduced rate of leaf appearance, extends the vegetative phase and results in higher biomass yields. Studies were carried out on 'Alamo' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a potential biofuel crop, to determine the realized heritability and developmental basis for variation in the time to panicle emergence. A single cycle of divergent selection for time of panicle emergence (earliest and latest 3%) was carried out. Time of panicle emergence for the parent and progeny generati