Importance of the Phyllochron in Studying Development and Growth in Grasses

The phyllochron, which is defined as the interval between similar growth stages of successive leaves on the same calm, has been used extensively to describe and understand development of grasses. The purpose of this paper is to introduce seven papers presented as part of the symposium Understanding Development and Growth in Grasses: Role of the Phyllochron Concept . Environmental (temperature, water, and day length) factors and genetics affect the duration of the phyllochron. The following seven papers broaden the discussion of these topics and present new concepts about how the environment and genetics impact the relationship between leaf appearance and whole plant development.