This stage extends from the appearance of the first tiller until the maximum tiller number is reached.
Tillers emerge from the axiliary buds of the nodes and displace the leaf as they grow and develop.
This seedling shows the position of the two primary tillers with respect to the main culm and its leaves.
After emerging, the primary tillers give rise to secondary tillers. This occurs about 30 days after transplanting.
The plant is now increasing in length and tillering very actively. Here is a field with plants at the early tillering stage. Note the tiller size and canopy development due to increased leafing and tiller development.
Besides numerous primary and secondary tillers, new tertiary tillers arise from the secondary tillers as the plant grows longer and larger.
By this stage, the tillers have multiplied to the point that it is difficult to pick out the main stem. Tillers continuously develop as the plant enters the next stage which is stem elongation.
