Phenology and Population Differentiation in Reproductive Plasticity in Feathertop Rhodes Grass (Chloris virgata Sw.)

An understanding of phenology and reproductive plasticity a weed species can provide valuable information to manage it precisely. This study evaluated the phenotypic feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata Sw.) where cohorts four different populations (two from cropping two roadside situations) were initiated in early spring (4 September), late November), mid-summer January), autumn March) southern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The team grew individual plants absence competition under natural conditions. Life-history fitness-related traits both morphology measured, dry biomass vegetative parts determined at physiological maturity. Among sowing times, late-spring treatment took longest time emergence first seed head (70–110 days), while had shortest maturity period (8–16 days). Length total life differed across sowing-time treatments. that emerged (30 days) whereas early-autumn emerging died before stage because cold temperatures during winter. cohort required slightly longer (63–85 achieve formation less (19–24 for than those or spring. All features varied by times population. number heads (12–15 per plant) spikelets (12–13 head), as well biomass, re-productive allocation pattern, production, generally increased mid-summer-emerged cohort. Seed production (9942 seeds/plant) was 10% 70% higher (8000 (3240 cohorts, respectively. ratio all populations, this displayed true allocation. Additionally, significantly phenological, vegetative, traits, depending on time. fitness varied, with (FELT 04/20 STURT/16–17) appearing be better adapted (PARK 01/20 GLEN 03/18). results our could help construct basic framework variety weed-management tactics successful control.