Morphological Development of Setaria viridis from Germination to Flowering

Abstract

The model system Setaria viridis is morphologically similar to other members of the Panicoideae, including maize and sorghum, although as a wild lineage it still contains a great deal of developmental plasticity. Underlying this variation is a robust ontogenetic pattern of vegetative growth resulting in the production of semi-independent basal branches (tillers) in addition to aerial branches on the main culm and tillers. We characterize the life cycle of S. viridis from germination to flowering and the general patterns of vegetative growth that can be expected within this period when grown under standardized conditions. We also indicate what can be expected when these plants are grown under other conditions.