Tillers born in the early stage that can head and bear fruit are called effective tillers, and those born in the late stage are called invalid tillers. Effective tillering is directly related to the number of ears per unit area.
The node that produces branches in crops such as rice is called the tiller node, and the level of the tiller position is closely related to the ear formation rate of the tiller. The lower the tillering position, the earlier the tillering occurs, the longer the growing period, and the easier it is to form ears; the higher the tillering position, the later the tillering occurs, the shorter the growing period, and the more ineffective tillers. Ineffective tillers consume plant nutrients and reduce yield.
