scholarly journals Matric Priming of Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue Seeds Benefits Seedling Emergence

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1061-1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace G. Pill ◽  
John J. Frett ◽  
Ian H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Weight Basis

Matrically priming seeds of common Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and `SR8300' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in fine, exfoliated vermiculite (-1.5 MPa, 20 °C, 4 days) increased subsequent germination rate but did not increase germination percentage or synchrony. The lowest seed: vermiculite ratio (dry weight basis) to provide full priming benefit for seeds of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue was 1:10 and 1:20, respectively. Storing Kentucky bluegrass seeds primed in 1:10 (seed:vermiculite) in moist vermiculite for 10 days at either 5 or 20 °C did not reduce germination rate in comparison to primed seeds that were not stored. Primed tall fescue seeds could be stored in moist vermiculite (1:20, seed:vermiculite) for up to 10 days at 5 °C with no loss of priming benefit, but storage for only 2 days at 20 °C resulted in germination. Primed seeds of Kentucky bluegrass (stored for 0 or 10 days at 5 or 20 °C) or tall fescue (stored 0 or 10 days at 5 °C or 2 days at 20 °C) resulted in more rapid germination and seedling emergence, and greater seedling shoot fresh and dry masses than was the case for nonprimed seeds.

scholarly journals Seedling Emergence of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass, as Affected by Two Seed Coating Techniques

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Richardson ◽  
K.W. Hignight
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Seed Coating ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Positive Effect

Seed coating has been effectively used in the agricultural and horticultural industries for over 100 years. Recently, several turfgrass seed companies have been applying seed coating technologies to commercial seed lines, but there have been limited studies that have demonstrated a positive benefit of seed coating to turfgrass seed. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two commercially available seed coating technologies, including a fungicide/biostimulant coating and a starch-based polymer coating, on tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) in three soil types. Coated seeds were obtained from a retail outlet. Non-coated seed samples were developed by removing the coating from the seed just before planting. Neither coating technology had an effect on tall fescue speed of germination or total germination percentage in any of the soil types. Seed coating did have a positive effect on the speed of germination of kentucky bluegrass in a sandy loam soil, but did not improve the speed of germination or percentage emergence in the other soil types. These results support earlier findings that seed coating has minimal effects on establishment of turfgrass species. However, these coatings may provide benefits when attempting to establish turfgrasses in less than ideal conditions.

scholarly journals Alkalinity Showed Limited Effect on Turfgrass Germination under Low to Moderate Salinity

HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1201-1204
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Kevin Rue
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Saline and alkaline conditions often coexist in nature. Unlike salinity that causes osmotic and ionic stresses, alkalinity reflects the impact of high pH on plant growth and development. In this research, seven turfgrass species, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon (L.) Pers.], and alkaligrass [Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl.], were germinated under 10 saline–alkaline conditions [two salinity concentrations (25 and 50 mm) × five alkalinity levels (pH = 7.2, 8.4, 9.1, 10.0, 10.8)] in a controlled environment. Seed germination was evaluated based on final germination percentage and daily germination rate. Alkaligrass and kentucky bluegrass showed the highest and lowest germination under saline conditions, respectively. Limited variations in germination were observed in other species, except bermudagrass, which showed a low germination rate at 50 mm salinity. Alkalinity did not cause a significant effect on seed germination of tested turfgrass species.

scholarly journals Additional Host Plants of Four Species of Billbug Found on New Jersey Turfgrasses

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Johnson-Cicalese ◽  
C.R. Funk
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue

Studies were conducted on the host plants of four billbug species (Coleoptera:Curculionidae: Sphenophorus parvulus Gyllenhal, S. venatus Chitt., S. inaequalis Say, and S. minimus Hart) found on New Jersey turfgrasses. A collection of 4803 adults from pure stands of various turfgrasses revealed all four billbugs on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and S. parvulus, S. venatus, and S. minimus on Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud.). Since the presence of larvae, pupae, or teneral adults more accurately indicates the host status of a grass species, immature billbugs were collected from plugs of the various grass species and reared to adults for identification. All four species were reared from immature billbugs found in Kentucky bluegrass turf; immatures of S. venatus, S. inaequalis, and S. minimus were found in tall fescue; S. venatus and S. minimus in perennial ryegrass; and S. inaequalis in strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra). A laboratory experiment was also conducted in which billbug adults were confined in petri dishes with either Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Only minor differences were found between the four grasses in billbug survival, number of eggs laid, and amount of feeding. In general, bermudagrass was the least favored host and the other grasses were equally adequate hosts. The results of this study indicate a need for updating host-plant lists of these four billbug species.

scholarly journals Southern Blight of Tall Fescue and Bluegrass Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Italy

Plant Disease ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-246
Author(s):  
G. Polizzi ◽  
A. Vitale ◽  
I. Castello
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Sclerotium Rolfsii ◽  
Aerial Mycelium ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Southern Blight

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) are the main turfgrass species cultivated in Sicily (southern Italy) for ready lawn (sod) to ornamental purposes. In July 2004 and May 2005, a widespread disease was noticed in two turf nurseries on the eastern side of Sicily on a ready lawn mixture of F. arundinacea cv. Safari (94%) + P. pratensis cv. Cabaret (6%). Numerous yellow, circular- and crescent-shaped patches as much as 30 to 40 cm in diameter were observed. The turf usually died around the perimeter of the patch, but the grass remained green in the center of the ring with a tuft of green grass in the center (frog eye). Affected turf was initially reddish brown and turned brown as it died. Small, round and off-white or tan seed-like structures were dispersed on mycelial strands at the outer edge of the ring in the mat at the base of grasses. The pathogen was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. The fungus was isolated directly as aerial mycelium or sclerotia or following surface disinfection (2 min in 0.5% NaOCl) and plating diseased tissues on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Sclerotia were observed in vitro in 7-day-old cultures. Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating two com-mercial ready lawn strips (80 × 100 cm) of two healthy turfgrass species each with three isolates of the fungus. Thirty sclerotia were placed at the base of stems. Noninoculated ready lawn strips served as control. All plants were covered with plastic bags, exposed to diffused daylight for 5 days, and then maintained in a growth chamber at 25 to 28°C under fluorescent light. Disease symptoms and southern blight signs like the ones observed in the field occurred 2 weeks after inoculation. S. rolfsii was reisolated from affected tissues. Symptoms were not detected on any of the non-inoculated ready lawn strips. The disease was serious enough that chemical treatments were required for its control. Southern blight was previously detected on bermudagrass and other cool-season turfgrass genera (1).To our knowledge, this is the first report of southern blight on tall fescue and bluegrass in Italy. Reference: (1) R. W. Smiley. Common Names of Plant Diseases. Diseases of Turfgrasses. Online publication. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

scholarly journals Month of Seeding Effect on Low-Input Establishment of Cool- and Warm-Season Turfgrasses in Continental Transition Zone

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-170
Author(s):  
Kenneth Lynn Diesburg ◽  
Ronald F. Krausz
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Low Input

This research was conducted to determine the degree of success, by month, in seeding establishment of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers. var. dactylon), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) at two locations in the moist, Midwest, continental transition zone on a prepared seed bed without irrigation or cover. The four species were planted every month of the year starting in September 2005. Starter fertilizer and siduron were applied the same day as seeding with no subsequent management except mowing. Percent cover of living turfgrass was recorded in each of 24 months after seeding. Tall fescue (80%) and Bermudagrass (73%) provided the best percent cover over all planting dates. Kentucky bluegrass provided 65% and zoysiagrass 24% cover. The cool-season grasses performed best in the July-to-March plantings; tall fescue 88% and Kentucky bluegrass 72%. Bermudagrass (94%) established best in the January-to-April plantings, while Zoysiagrass (32%) established best in the November-to-March plantings. Germination and seedling survival after germination of all species were inhibited by limited moisture during summer. The warm-season grasses were further limited by winter kill in the August, September, and October seedings. These results emphasize the risk in spring-seeding as well as the value in dormant-seeding of both warm- and cool-season turfgrasses for low-input, nonirrigated establishment.

scholarly journals GIBBERELLIC ACID DURING PRIMING OF PURPLE CONEFLOWER [ECHINACEA PURPUREA (L) MOENCH.] SEEDS IMPROVES GERMINATION AND SEEDLING EMERGENCE

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 186c-186
Author(s):  
Janine O. Haynes ◽  
Wallace G. Pill
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Greenhouse Study ◽  
Purple Coneflower ◽  
Percentage Points

Purple coneflower seeds following priming (-0.04 MPa, 10 days, 15C, darkness) osmotically in polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) or matrically in expanded no. 5 vermiculite had greater germination rate and synchrony at continuous 20C or 30C than untreated seeds, but germination percentage was unaffected. Inclusion of 5.5 × 10-2 M gibberellic acid (GA3 as ProGibb Plus 2X, Abbott Laboratories, N. Chicago, Ill.) further improved germination rate and synchrony at 20C, but not at 30C. In a greenhouse study (30C day/27C night, July-August natural light), seeds primed in PEG or vermiculite containing G A3 compared to untreated seeds had 6 percentage points higher maximum emergence (ME), 3.3 fewer days to 50% ME, 1.9 fewer days between 10% and 90% ME, 116% greater shoot dry weight, and 125% longer leaves at 16 days after planting in peat-lite. Inclusion of ethephon (0.01 m, as Florel) either alone or with GA3 during priming provided no benefit to seed germination or seedling emergence. Moistened vermiculite substituted for PEG solution as a priming medium for purple coneflower seeds, the priming benefit on seedling emergence and growth being enhanced by 5.5 × 10-2m G A3 inclusion in the priming media.

scholarly journals Date of Seeding Affects Establishment of Cool-season Turfgrasses

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152a
Author(s):  
Zachary J. Reicher ◽  
Clark S. Throssell ◽  
Daniel V. Weisenberger
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Starter Fertilizer ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
P Fertilizer

Little documentation exists on the success of seeding cool-season turf-grasses in the late fall, winter and spring. The objectives of these two studies were to document the success of seeding Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) at less-than-optimum times of the year, and to determine if N and P fertilizer requirements vary with seeding date of Kentucky bluegrass. `Ram I' Kentucky bluegrass, `Fiesta' perennial ryegrass, and `Mustang' tall fescue were seeded on 1 Sept., 1 Oct., 1 Nov., 1 Dec., 1 Mar., 1 Apr., and 1 May ± 2 days beginning in 1989 and 1990. As expected, the September seeding date produced the best establishment, regardless of species. Dormant-seeding Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue in November, December, or March reduced the establishment time compared with seeding in April or May. Seeding perennial ryegrass in November, December, or March may not be justified because of winterkill potential. To determine the effect of starter fertilizer on seedings made at different times of the year, `Ram 1' Kentucky bluegrass was seeded 1 Sept., 1 Nov., 1 Mar., and 1 May ± 2 days in 1989 and 1990, and the seedbed was fertilized with all combinations of rates of N (0, 24, and 48 kg·ha-1) and P (0, 21, and 42 kg·ha-1). Fertilizer rate had no effect on establishment regardless of seeding date, possibly because of the fertile soil on the experimental site.

scholarly journals Control of Tall Fescue in Kentucky Bluegrass Turf with Selective Herbicides

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-451
Author(s):  
J.M. Goatley ◽  
A.J. Powell ◽  
W.W. Witt ◽  
M. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Trend Analyses ◽  
Polynomial Trend ◽  
Selective Control ◽  
Quadratic Response ◽  
Potential Use

Chlorsulfuron, diclofop, and sulfometuron were evaluated for potential use in selective control of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Polynomial trend analyses indicated highly significant linear and quadratic response curves for percentage of tall fescue reduction for each herbicide. Fall and spring treatments with chlorsulfuron and diclofop provided significant tall fescue control, with slight to moderate initial Kentucky bluegrass phytotoxicity. Fall and spring applications of sulfometuron resulted in excellent tall fescue control, but initial Kentucky bluegrass damage was severe and would be unacceptable for high maintenance turf. Chemical names used: 2-chloro- N -[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-l,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]-benzenesulfonamide (chlorsulfuron); 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy]proponoate (diclofop); N -[[(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]-2-methoxycarbonyl-benzenesulfonamide (sulfometuron).

scholarly journals Change over Time in Quality and Cover of Various Turfgrass Species and Cultivars Maintained in Shade

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. Gardner ◽  
J.A. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Percentage Cover ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Red Fescue

In 1992, a cultivar trial was initiated in Columbus, Ohio to evaluate differences in establishment and long-term performance of cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), creeping red fescue (F. rubra), chewings fescue (F. rubra ssp. fallax), hard fescue (F. brevipila), kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), rough bluegrass (P. trivialis), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under low maintenance conditions in a shaded environment. Fertilizer and supplemental irrigation were applied until 1994 to establish the grasses, after which no supplemental irrigation, or pesticides were applied and fertilizer rates were reduced to 48.8 kg·ha-1 (1 lb/1000 ft2) of N per year. Percentage cover and overall quality data were collected in 2000 and compared with data collected in 1994. Initial establishment success does not appear to be a good predictor of long-term success of a cultivar in a shaded environment. There was some variability in cultivar performance under shade within a given turfgrass species. The tall fescue cultivars, as a group, had the highest overall quality and percentage cover under shade, followed by the fine fescues, kentucky bluegrass, rough bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass cultivars.

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