Flowering Behavior of Switchgrass in Ambient Light but Controlled Temperature Conditions.

Moving northern-origin genotypes of switchgrass to more southern locations results in earlier green up and flowering compared with that in the original habitat. This behavior indicates how climate change may potentially affect growth and development in the natural northern habitat. Several clonal genotypes of Summer, a northern upland cultivar, switchgrass were evaluated in warm temperatures in the greenhouse at Brookings, SD for multiple reproductive cycles over several years. Timing of dormancy in the fall was similar to what occurred naturally. However, emergence occurred in late winter and flowering occurred in early spring consistently over a 4-yr period. Daylength during late winter and early spring was adequate to promote floral induction, and vigor was not dramatically affected.