Removing flower stalks increases leaf biomass production in Hesperaloe funifera (Agavaceae)

Hesperaloe funifera is an arid-land plant with unique long, thin fibres which can produce paper with superior strength properties. Previous studies of flowering in this plant suggested that removal of developing flower stalks should divert energy to leaf production, increasing fibre yields and lowering unit costs of production. Flower stalks were removed from plants in their fourth and fifth years of growth. Thirty-eight per cent of the experimental population initiated flower stalks in the fourth year and 36% initiated them in the fifth year. Leaf biomass production and plant relative growth rates increased significantly with flower stalk removal; average plant size was 27% higher in the plots from which flower stalks were removed.