The initiation of the panicle primordium at the tip of the
growing shoot marks the start of the reproductive phase. The
panicle primordium becomes visible to the naked eye about 10
days after initiation. At this stage, 3 leaves will still emerge
before the panicle finally emerges. In short-duration varieties,
the panicle becomes visible as a white feathery cone 1.0-1.5 mm
long. It occurs first in the main culm and then in tillers where
it emerges in uneven pattern. It can be seen by dissecting the
stem. As the panicle continues to develop, the spikelets become
distinguishable. The young panicle increases in size and its
upward extension inside the flag leaf sheath causes the leaf
sheath t bulge. This bulging of the flag leaf sheath is called
booting. Booting is most likely to occur first in the main culm.
At booting, senescence (aging and dying) of leaves and
nonbearing tillers are noticeable at the base of the plant.