Crops that stay green1

Genetic variation exists for foliar senescence and has, usually incidentally or empirically, been exploited for crop improvement. We review the incidence of delayed or inoperative senescence in maize, sorghum, oats, rice, wheat, fescue, soybean, french bean, fruit crops, trees and other species. The insights such variants give into the genetic control of leaf senescence, and the practical implications of improved understanding of the stay-green phenomenon are discussed.