2.3.4. Growth of leaves

  2.3.4. Growth of leaves

 

  The rice plant is composed of leaves that are physiologically different in age and activity. Leaves grow in sequence at the relatively fixed rate. A leaf emerges about every 5 to 6 days before the initiation of panicle primordia. However the last four to five leaves usually emerge 7 to 8 days. And the leaves are alternately arranged. The rate of leaf emergence is affected by temperature. Increase in temperature facilitates leaf emergence. The life span of individual leaves after elongation differs widely among leaves. Upper leaves have longer life spans than lower ones. The flag leaf has the longest life span. The rice plant  usually has five leaves  that are functioning from the initiation of panicle primodia to around heading.