Primary Buds Research Articles

Use of differential thermal analysis to quantify bud cold hardiness of grape selections and clones

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to characterize primary bud mid-winter cold hardiness of Vitis spp. Bud hardiness reached a maximum and was rather stable during the months of January and February at Geneva, New York. Because cold tolerance increases during periods of prolonged cold, observed freezing temperature was adjusted on the basis of the freezing temperature of cv. Concord on the day of observation. DTA gives reproducible and meaningful estimates of bud freezing temperature. Such data account for at least 50 % of the among-cultivar variance in overall vine cold hardiness.

Synodontia between Permanent Mandibular Central & Lateral Incisors

Dental fusion also called ‘synodontia’ is a rare dental developmental anomaly in which the union of two independently developing primary or permanent tooth buds occurs. Tooth fusion is defined as union between the dentin and / or enamel of two or more separate developing teeth. The fusion may be partial or total depending upon the stage of tooth development at the time of union. The etiology of fusion is still unclear. The overall prevalence of the tooth fusion is approximately 0.5%. Fusion may be unilateral or bilateral and most often occurs in primary teeth with more predilections for anterior teeth. Clinically fused anterior teeth frequently have a groove or notch on the incisal edge that goes in buccolingual direction and radiographically, the dentin of fused teeth always appears to be joined in some region with separate pulp chambers and canals. Hence the cases of fusion of permanent teeth in different ages are presented.Bangladesh Journal of Dental Research and Education Vol.5(2) 2015: 70-72

A Practical Method for Staging Grapevine Inflorescence Primordia in Season 1, with Improved Description of Stages

To date, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is the only method reported for describing the stages of development of the inflorescence primordia (IP) in grapevine compound latent buds. This method has limitations, which are addressed in this paper. We propose an alternative, more practical technique that uses a dissecting light microscope to identify IP stages and record stereophotographs by digital fusion of single images taken at many sequential focusing planes. Using this technique, we examined the developmental stages of IP in the primary latent bud during season 1 in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay by dissecting compound latent buds at monthly intervals. Our results confirm that compared to SEM preparation and imaging, this method is an easier, quicker, and minimally damaging approach for staging IP. We provide guidance for dissecting compound latent buds, and we give more detailed descriptions of IP stages 0 to 4 and new descriptions of IP stages 5, 6, and 7, which were not previously available. This work advances basic knowledge of grapevine physiology and should enhance future research involving the compound latent bud.

Preventing spring freeze injury on grapevines using multiple applications of Amigo Oil and naphthaleneacetic acid

‘Edelweiss’ is an important grape cultivar grown in the Midwestern part of the USA. It is one of the earliest cultivars in the vineyard to break bud, making it very susceptible to late spring freezes. ‘Edelweiss’ primary buds produce a significant amount of fruit, while unlike many other hybrids, the secondary and tertiary buds will have little to no yields, thus making it important to protect the primary buds from a late freeze. The objective of this research was to determine if multiple applications of Amigo Oil or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) achieve a greater bud delay when compared to single applications. ‘Edelweiss’ vines were treated in January, January and February or January, February and March. Amigo Oil was applied at 10% (v/v) and NAA at 1000 ppm with a custom built all-terrain vehicle (atv) sprayer. All treatments of oil led to a significant bud break delay ranging from 1 to 8 days as compared to the control. None of the treatments were phytotoxic to buds or negatively affected yield or fruit characteristics. Grape growers in climates with the potential of late spring freezes may consider the use of Amigo Oil or NAA as a potential means to protect their vines from freeze injury.

Abnormal meiotic chromosome behavior and gametic variation induced by intersectional hybridization in Populus L.

Abnormal meiotic chromosome behavior and pollen variation in two intersectional hybrids between Populus simonii Carr. (section Tacamahaca Spach) and Populus euphratica Oliv. (section Turanga Bge.) were investigated by the squashed technique and indirect immunofluorescence. Both hybrids produced abnormal flower buds characterized by a primary bud with an accessary bud at frequencies of 39.0 and 17.8 %, respectively. Chromosome pairing analysis at late diakinesis showed average configurations 20.31 I + 7.04 II + 1.42 III + 0.04 IV in hybrid “Xhu-DK” and 19.18 I + 7.16 II + 1.45 III + 0.04 IV in hybrid “Xhu-TL”, indicating high divergence between their parent species. Meiotic abnormalities, including precocious chromosome migration, lagging chromosomes, chromosome bridges, and micronuclei, were observed at high frequency, resulting in imbalanced chromosome segregation and chromosome elimination and caused high gamete sterility. Some micronuclei triggered formation of minispindles in Metaphase II, which were responsible for the formation of microcytes. Fused and tripolar spindles in the second meiotic division developed into dyads and triads, respectively, leading to viable first meiotic division restitution (FDR) type unreduced pollen formation. However, Xhu-TL was completely sterile because the high frequency of precocious cytokinesis during the second division prevented unreduced pollen formation though spindle fusion. Xhu-DK produced 29.6 % viable pollen grains. The diameter of viable pollen ranged from 19.6 to 64.9 μm, suggesting that Xhu-DK might be capable of producing unreduced pollen or pollen with a higher ploidy level. The strategy of using the distant hybrids for chromosome introgression and polyploidy breeding in Populus L. was considered.

Canine Gouging: A Taboo Resurfacing in Migrant Urban Population.

Cosmopolitan cities have become a pool of migrants from different parts of the world, who carry their cultural beliefs and superstitions with them around the globe. Canine gouging is a kind of infant oral mutilation (IOM) which is widely practiced among rural population of Africa where the primary tooth bud of the deciduous canine is enucleated. The belief is that the life threatening illnesses in children like vomiting, diarrhoea, and fevers are caused by worms which infest on tooth buds. This case report is of a 15-year-old Somalian born boy, who presented at the dental institute with intermittent pain in his lower right permanent canine which was associated with a discharging intra oral buccal sinus. The tooth was endodontically treated and then restored with composite. General dental practitioners need to be vigilant when encountered with tooth presenting unusual morphology, unilateral missing tooth, and shift in the midline due to early loss of deciduous/permanent canines. Identification of any such dental mutilation practice will need further counselling of the individual and family members. It is the duty of every dental professional to educate and safeguard the oral and dental health of general public.

Raising the awareness of infant ora mutilation - myths and facts.

Raising the awareness of infant ora mutilation - myths and facts.

Technical System of Hybrid Seed Production with Perennial Plants of Cotton Sterile Lines

It is hard to separate maintainer line and sterile line in two-line-system hybrid breeding, so half of the fertile plants derived from maternal line should be pulled out at bud stage, which increases the cost of seed production and the risk of hybrid seed purity. In this research, taking advantage of specific weather conditions of warm winter and dry winter-spring season in the mid-subtropical zone, we explored hybrid seed production with overwintered perennial sterile plants after eliminating the 50% fertile plants from the nuclear sterile line in the first year. From 2006 to 2011, we investigated various factors that might influence hybrid seed production with perennial cotton sterile plants, including different ages of perennial root, winter-season intercropping of rapid cycling vegetables, pruning times and pruning methods. The results indicated that the perennial plants had extended growth period , its reproductive growth stunted 10 days earlier than that of seedlings with corresponding sowing time, its boll number per plant was significantly higher, while boll weight was slightly lower. The hyrid seed yield in firstand second-year perennial plants was 10.3% to 5.9% higher than that in one year plants. The yield showed non-significant reduction in the third year of prennial production, but significantly reduced by 9.4% to 14.0% in the fourth to fifth years. With the increase of overwintering years, the old root at the basal portion of the plant showed obvious malformation. Within the first five years, the death rate of perennial plants had no relationship with ages of perennial root and field types, but was related to soil water content and pruning methods. The best way for perennial root onverwintering was: no intercropping between winter cotton lines and othen 第 12期 张小军等: 利用宿根进行棉花不育系制种的技术体系研究 1837 crops, no pruning, and leaving the cotton plants in the field for natural overwintering. In the next year, the main stem and early regenerated buds should be pruned at 10 cm above the ground before the rainy season or the first irrigation, then one or two regenerated primary buds should be reserved with water and nutrition managements.

All-trans-retinoid acid (ATRA) suppresses chondrogenesis of rat primary hind limb bud mesenchymal cells by downregulating p63 and cartilage-specific molecules

P63 null mice have no or truncated limbs and mutations in human p63 cause several skeletal syndromes that also show limb and digit abnormalities, suggesting its essential role in bone development. In the current study, we investigated the effect of ATRA on chondrogenesis using mesenchymal cells from rat hind limb bud and further examined the mRNA and protein expression of Sox9 and Col2a1 and p63 in rat hind limb bud cells. Limb buds were isolated from embryos from euthanized female rats. Growth of hind limb bud mesenchymal cells was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assays. Formation of cartilage nodules was examined by Alcian blue-nuclear fast red staining. The expression of Sox9, Col2al and p63 was determined by Real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting assays, respectively. Our MTT assays revealed that ATRA at 1 and 10μM significantly suppressed the growth of mesenchymal cells from rat hind limb bud at 24 and 48h (P<0.01 vs. controls). Alcian blue staining further showed that ATRA caused a significant dose-dependent reduction in the area of cartilage nodules (P<0.05 in all vs. controls). At 1μM ATRA, the area of cartilage nodules from hind limb bud cells was reduced to 0.05±0.03mm from 0.15±0.01mm in controls. Real-time RT-PCR assays further indicated that 1 and 10μM ATRA markedly reduced the mRNA expression of Sox9, Col2al and p63 in hind limb bud cells (P<0.05 in all vs. controls). In addition, ATRA time-dependently inhibits the mRNA expression of p63, Sox9 and Col2al. Western blotting assays additionally showed that ATRA dose-dependently reduced the expression of Sox9, Col2al and p63 (P<0.05 in all vs. controls). Together, our results suggest that ATRA suppresses chondrogenesis by modulating the expression of Sox9, Col2al and p63 in primary hind limb bud mesenchymal cells.

Cropload Management of ‘Vidal blanc’ Improves Primary Bud Cold Hardiness and Maintains Berry Composition in the Lower Midwestern United States

Canopy architecture, yield components, berry composition, pruning weight, Ravaz Index, and midwinter primary bud cold hardiness of own-rooted ‘Vidal blanc’ (Vitis vinifera × Vitis rupestris) were measured in response to balanced pruning formula treatments of 20, 30, or 40 nodes retained for the first 454 g of dormant pruning weight and an additional 10 nodes for each additional 454 g and three cluster thinning levels of one, two, and two+ clusters per shoot in 2006 and 2007. Although the pruning formula affected the distance between shoots along the canopy, and the number of count shoots per hectare, the canopy leaf layer numbers were unaffected in either year. Application of the pruning formula did not affect components of yield in either year. However, the number of clusters and yield per vine were affected by cluster thinning treatments where they increased linearly with the decrease in its severity, explaining 73% and 77% of total variance in yield in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Pruning formula or cluster thinning did not affect berry composition substantially. Cluster thinning improved the percentage of mature nodes on shoots before a killing frost in both years. Cluster thinning to one or two clusters per shoot also improved the lethal temperature killing 50% of the primary buds compared with no cluster thinning in both years of the study. Mature wood weight and total pruning weight displayed a quadratic response to cluster thinning where two clusters per shoot had the greatest weight for both, whereas pruning formula had no effect on pruning weight. Optimum fruit weight–pruning weight ratio was achieved with the 30 + 10 pruning formula and two clusters per shoot cluster thinning treatments in both years of the study. The results of this study provide valuable information for growers of interspecific hybrids such as ‘Vidal blanc’ in the lower midwestern United States as well as in other regions with long, warm growing seasons. Balanced pruning to 30 nodes per 454 g of dormant prunings and cluster thinning to two clusters per shoots optimized yield, maintained fruit composition, improved primary bud cold hardiness, and achieved an optimum fruit weight-to-pruning weight ratio of 10.0 kg·kg–1. Thus, this approach should be used for ’Vidal blanc’ in the lower midwestern United States to sustain production.

Manipulating gene expression and signaling activity in cultured mouse limb bud cells

The vertebrate limb bud is a well-established system for studying the mechanisms driving growth and patterning of an embryonic tissue. However, approaches for manipulating gene expression are currently limited to time-consuming methods. Culturing primary limb bud cells could potentially be used as a quicker assay. However, limb cells in culture quickly differentiate into cartilage under normal conditions, and approaches delivering DNA and siRNA into primary limb cells in culture are limited. These technical limitations have restricted the utility of limb buds for investigating problems that require higher-throughput approaches. In this report, we describe adaptations to a method for culturing primary limb bud cells in a pre-chondrogenic state, and generate a population of mouse primary limb cells that are responsive to Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Hh-stimulated cells upregulate Hh target genes as well as an exogenous Hh-responsive reporter. We then describe a method for highly efficient delivery of plasmids and siRNAs into cultured primary limb bud cells in a 96-well format. Cultures of primary limb bud cells are amenable to gene manipulation under conditions that maintain the limb cells in an Hh-responsive, undifferentiated state. This approach provides a medium-throughput system to manipulate gene expression, and test DNA regulatory elements.

Necessity of Smad4 for the normal development of the mouse lacrimal gland

Smad4, a key intracellular mediator in TGF-β signaling, plays a critical role in the normal development of many tissues/organs. However, its functional role in the development of the lacrimal gland (LG) has never been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the role Smad4 may play in the development of LG by using Smad4 conditional knockout mice and comparing their LG changes with the LG in normal control mice. Smad4 in the LG, as well as in the lens, cornea, and ectoderm of the eyelids, was conditionally inactivated by using Pax6 promoter-driven Cre-transgenic mice. Lac Z reporter was used to visualize the developing LG by X-gal staining, and standard histologic approaches were used to reveal morphologic alterations. Inactivation of Smad4 resulted in reduction in the size and number of acini in the embryonic LG and in pigment accumulation within the LG, although it did not affect the formation of the primary lacrimal bud. After birth, the LG from Smad4-mutant mice developed slowly, and pigment was observed starting from the P7 mutant LG. Thereafter, the mutant LG was considerably smaller than the normal LG and was eventually replaced by adipose tissue. These results support the notion that Smad4 is essential for the normal development and maintenance of the mouse LG.

Modeling Dormant Bud Cold Hardiness and Budbreak in Twenty-Three Vitis Genotypes Reveals Variation by Region of Origin

Cold injury is a key environmental challenge in many grape-producing regions, especially those at high latitudes. Although grapevines acclimate to cold temperatures in fall and deacclimate when warm temperatures return in spring, cold hardiness varies with species, cultivar, phenology, ambient weather, photoperiod, and plant organ, which hampers implementation of effective mitigation practices. Using long-term data sets of lethal temperatures and spring phenology for primary buds of Vitis vinifera and Vitis labruscana , we parameterized and evaluated a discrete-dynamic model that simulates cold hardiness from early fall through budbreak of 23 genotypes. The model uses mean daily temperature as the sole input variable to drive daily changes in hardiness. Genotype-specific parameters, such as initial and maximum hardiness, temperature thresholds, acclimation and deacclimation rates, and chilling and heating requirements, were optimized through an iterative process. The model predicted cold hardiness with 0.89 ≤ r 2 ≤ 0.99, depending on genotype. Because it simulates hardiness at budbreak, the model can also be used to predict the time of budbreak. Optimized model parameters revealed a north/inland-south/coastal gradient for genotype origin in terms of initial and maximum cold hardiness, and time of budbreak. Budbreak occurred earlier in hardier genotypes, consistent with more rapid deacclimation of genotypes originating from colder climates, paradoxically making these genotypes more vulnerable to spring frost in warmer environments. The current model of grapevine bud cold hardiness has uses in both climate modeling and risk assessment.

Wine Grape Cultivar Performance in the Four Corners Region of New Mexico in 2010–12

Commercial wine grape (Vitis sp.) production in northwestern New Mexico and the greater Four Corners region is now supported by four wineries. The challenges of growing grape vines in northwestern New Mexico include cold winter temperatures and killing spring frosts exacerbated by a semiarid climate and elevations exceeding 1700 m. Nineteen nongrafted European wine grape (Vitis vinifera) and interspecific hybrid wine grape cultivars were planted in 2007 and evaluated between 2010 and 2012. Among European wine grape cultivars, Agria, Malbec, Sangiovese, Viognier, Müller-Thurgau, and Sauvignon Blanc performed poorly or failed altogether. Interspecific hybrid cultivars Baco Noir, Kozma 55, Leon Millot, Chardonel, Seyval Blanc, Siegfried, Traminette, Valvin Muscat, and Vidal Blanc showed greater adaptability to a high-elevation intermountain western U.S. site, yielding on greater than 71% of their vines in each year (except Kozma 55 which only produced on 38% of its vines in 2012 due to severe spring frost damage). We speculate that fruit-bearing shoots on these vines arose from latent buds that survived when primary buds were killed from spring frost events. Once vines were established, grape berry sugar and pH appeared to be within acceptable ranges (3-year mean above 21% soluble solids and juice pH of 3.2), suggesting regional potential to produce favorable wines within acceptable commercial wine grape production ranges. Selection of sites without considerable frost risk and other mesoclimate variances is critical when considering vineyard establishment at high-elevation locations.

Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Changes inVitisGenotypes in Response to Photoperiod Regimes

The purpose of this study was to identify morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes in Vitis genotypes in response to photoperiod regimes. Experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions using cold-sensitive Cabernet franc ( Vitis vinifera ) and cold-tolerant Couderc 3309 (3309C, V. riparia × V. rupestris ) and Concord ( V. labruscana ). Potted vines were exposed to short day (SD) (8 hr) or long day (LD) (16 hr) for 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Shoot growth, periderm formation, dormancy, freezing tolerance (lethal temperature that kills 50% of primary buds: LT50), and soluble sugar concentrations in leaf and bud tissues were examined. Shoot growth slowed in all cultivars under SD accompanied with increased periderm formation and dormancy depth. Concord initiated these changes first, followed by 3309C, then Cabernet franc. The three cultivars did not show differences in freezing tolerance under LD, with LT50 ranging between −6.1 and −8.1°C. However, freezing tolerance increased by 0.7, 2.0, and 2.7°C after 4, 6, and 8 weeks under SD, respectively. Freezing tolerance of Concord increased after 4 weeks of SD treatment, whereas that of 3309C and Cabernet franc did not increase until after 6 weeks of SD treatment. Among all sugars, raffinose had distinctive responses associated with photoperiod, remaining low and similar (0.5 to 2.3 mg/g dry weight) under LD. Under SD, raffinose concentration was generally higher, ranging from 2.2 to 5.7 mg/g dry weight in leaves and 1.6 to 3.7 mg/g dry weight in buds, with cold-tolerant 3309C and Concord accumulating higher concentrations compared to cold-sensitive Cabernet franc. These results suggest that raffinose accumulation might be an early step in response to photoperiod coinciding with slowed shoot growth, the induction of endodormancy, and the initial acquisition of freezing tolerance.

All-trans-retinoid acid (ATRA) may have inhibited chondrogenesis of primary hind limb bud mesenchymal cells by downregulating Pitx1 expression

Despite frequently well-established role of all-trans-retinoid acid (ATRA) in congenital limb deformities, its mechanism of action, thus far, is still ambiguous. Pitx1, which is expressed in the hindlimb bud mesenchyme, or its pathways may be etiologically responsible for the increased incidence of clubfoot. Here, we sought to investigate the mechanisms whereby Pitx1 regulated chondrogenesis of hindlimb bud mesenchymal cells in vitro. E12.5 embryonic rat hind limb bud mesenchymal cells were treated with ATRA at appropriate concentrations. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation. Hematoxylin-safranin-O-fast-green staining assays were used to observe cartilage nodules, and Pitx1 expression was examined by immunofluorescent microscopy. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting assays were applied to determine the mRNA expressions of Pitx1, Sox9 and type II collagen (Col2al), respectively. The results showed that ATRA inhibited the proliferation of hind limb bud cells dose-dependently. ATRA also induced a dose-dependent reduction in the number of cartilage nodules and the area of cartilage nodules compared with controls. Our real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays revealed that the mRNA expression of Pitx1, Sox9 and Col2al were significantly downregulated by ATRA. Furthermore, our immunofluorescent microscopy and Western blotting assays indicated that Pitx1 was mainly expressed in the cartilage nodules and the levels of Pitx1, Sox9 and Col2al were also downregulated by ATRA dose-dependently. The results indicated that ATRA may decrease chondrogenesis of hind limb bud mesenchymal cells by inhibiting cartilage-specific molecules, such as Sox9 and Col2al, via downregulating Pitx1 expression.

Cellular Dynamics in Salivary Gland Branching Morphogenesis

Branching morphogenesis is a complex developmental process requiring coordination of cell proliferation, cell migration, actomyosin‐mediated cell contractility, and adhesion formation, which is not understood. We utilized computer modeling to simulate cleft progression in the primary bud during salivary gland development. Using computer simulations where individual or multiple parameters were varied in specific subsets of cells and each repeated 100 times, we examined the function of multiple cellular processes in cleft formation. We developed quantitative cleft detection algorithms to report on cleft quality and used confocal imaging of salivary gland organ explant cultures to confirm predictions of the simulations, when possible. Manipulations of the percentage of cells undergoing mitosis and the location of those cells are not currently possible to perform experimentally. Of multiple conditions, computer simulations predicted that a low proliferation rate and equal division of proliferative events between the outer and inner cells in the epithelium produces ideal clefts more than other conditions. This work demonstrates that computer modeling can be used to make predictions regarding cellular mechanisms of branching morphogenesis when experimental manipulation is not technically feasible. Supported by NIH R01DE019244 (M.L. and B.Y.)

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: A rare case report

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a relatively uncommon osteolytic-pigmented neoplasm that primarily affects the jaws of infants. The early onset and its rapid disfiguring spread necessitate early diagnosis. A 4-month-old male child reported with the complaint of swelling in the right back tooth region of the upper jaw, which rapidly increased in size causing disfigurement of the face. Radiographic examination showed a diffuse osteolytic radiolucent lesion in the right maxilla and displacement and dysmorphic changes in the developing primary tooth buds. Wide surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia. Histopathological report revealed characteristic large pigmented epitheloid cells (melanocyte like cells). The biphasic tumor cell population arranged in a background of fibrous connective tissue stroma is suggestive of MNTI involving the cancellous bone. Early diagnosis and management of such aggressive tumors precludes significant morbidity of the patient.

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fetuses of varying gestational ages, ranging from 33m.m C.R.L. to 270m.m.C.R.L. (i.e. from 8weeks to 32weeks of intrauterine life) were studied to note the developmental sequence of mammary gland. Tissues were prepared for microtomy by Paraffin wax embedding method. Serial sections were stained by Haematoxylin & Eosin (H & E) and Masson's Trichome method(1). It was observed that the organ is subject to fluctuations in its development. In the present study the primary bud, secondary bud, & tertiary bud formation is seen at11th week ,14th week & 18 th week of gestation respectively .The canalization appeared at 20 th week of gestation. Variation is seen in the mode of canalization as well as in the time of start of canalization. In the present study an endeavour has been made to establish the time of appearance of mammary buds and their time of canalization .The observations are compared with the findings of other workers and discussed in the light of literature. Mammogenesis or development of mammary gland is of great importance for anatomists, surgeons, pathologists, physicians, obstetricians etc. A large number of developmental anomalies like amastia, athelia, polymastia, polythelia, etc are of interest to them which can be understood more if thorough

Higher-order bud production increases tillering capacity in the perennial caespitose grass Scribner’s Panicum (Dichanthelium oligosanthes)

The persistence and dynamics of perennial grass populations strongly depend on tiller recruitment from the bud bank. Because of the structural organization of grasses as populations of phytomers, bud production and tillering are constrained by morphology. An infrequent trait observed in only a few caespitose grasses is the branching of buds to produce higher-order buds prior to tiller development. We studied bud bank dynamics in Dichanthelium oligosanthes (Schult.) Gould a C3 perennial caespitose grass widely distributed in the eastern Great Plains. A hierarchy of bud development occurred in D. oligosanthes, with primary buds branching to produce secondary, tertiary, and quaternary buds. This higher-order bud production increased the overwintering propagule supply for spring recruitment by 4.5 times, and more than half of successful tiller recruits originated as higher-order buds. The temporal patterns of higher-order bud production and development suggest that growing season length may be an important factor determining the extent of higher-order bud production and subsequent year tiller natality in D. oligosanthes. Higher-order bud production likely has important consequences for the population dynamics of grasses. It may increase bud bank densities and tillering capacity, buffer population dynamics, and increase intraclonal tiller densities and resource consolidation in caespitose grasses.