scholarly journals Seaweed Extract, Humic Acid, and Propiconazole Improve Tall Fescue Sod Heat Tolerance and Posttransplant Quality

HortScience ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xunzhong Zhang ◽  
E.H. Ervin ◽  
R.E. Schmidt

Decline of sod quality during the transportation, storage, and transplant stages of sale is a primary economic concern of sod producers. However, the mechanisms of extending sod quality during storage, transportation, and transplantation remain unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the influences of selected plant metabolic enhancers (PMEs) seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum Jol.) extract (SWE), humic acid [93% a.i. (HA)], and propiconazole (PPC), on sod tolerance to stress during storage and posttransplant root growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) sod. The SWE + HA, and PPC were applied alone, or in a combination, to tall fescue 2 weeks before harvest. Photochemical efficiency (PE) of photosystem II was measured immediately before harvest. The harvested sod was subjected to high temperature stress (40 °C) for 72 or 96 hours. The heated sod was replanted in the field and posttransplant injury and root strength were determined. On average over 1999 and 2000, application of SWE (50 mg·m-2) + HA (150 mg·m-2), PPC (0.30 mL·m-2), and a combination of SWE + HA with PPC (0.15 mL·m-2), enhanced PE of preharvest sod by 8.5%, 9.1%, and 11.2%, respectively, and increased posttransplant rooting by 20.6%, 34.6%, and 20.2%, respectively. All PME treatments reduced visual injury except SWE + HA and SWE + HA + PPC in 1999. Extension of heat duration from 72 to 96 hours caused significantly more injury to the sod and reduced posttransplant rooting by 22.9% averaged over 2 years. The data suggest that foliar application of SWE + HA, PPC alone, or in a combination with SWE + HA, may reduce shipment heat injury and improve posttransplant rooting and quality of tall fescue sod. Chemical name used: 1-(2-(2,4-dichloropheny)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2yl)methyl-1-H-1,2,4-triazole [propiconazole (PPC)].

Author(s):  
G.D. Milne ◽  
R. Shaw ◽  
R. Powell ◽  
B. Pirie ◽  
J. Pirie

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is now well proven on New Zealand dairy farms as a pasture species capable of producing high levels of milk production. Compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) it offers benefits of higher annual and summer growth, higher clover contents in pasture, higher green leaf to stem ratios in summer, reduced plant pulling, better animal health, grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) and Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) tolerance, tolerance of wet soils, and drought tolerance and growth. Tall fescue can be recommended for dairy farmers in areas where summer growth and quality of ryegrass is reduced by moisture stress or high temperatures, and for those willing to adjust their grazing and establishment practices to suit tall fescue. Keywords: dairy farms, Festuca arundinacea, tall fescue


HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 1062-1068
Author(s):  
Mohamad-Hossein Sheikh-Mohamadi ◽  
Nematollah Etemadi ◽  
Mostafa Arab

Excessive heat or cold usually reduces the growth and quality of turfgrass. Genetic variations along with efficient biochemical and physiological mechanisms can diversify the tolerance to heat and cold. This study examined the effects of heat and cold stress on several biochemical and physiological parameters in Iranian tall fescue ecotypes (Festuca arundinacea L.). The control group of plants was maintained under optimal temperatures, whereas other groups were exposed to heat or cold in a growth chamber. The experiment was designed as a split plot, with stress treatments as the main plots and ecotypes as subplots. Physiologically and biochemically, the results revealed that three ecotypes (‘FA1’, ‘FA3’, and ‘FA5’) of the eight ecotypes examined in this study had better abilities to survive the simulated heat and cold stress. Better tolerance to heat and cold in the ‘FA1’, ‘FA3’, and ‘FA5’ ecotypes were probably due to higher levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities, maintenance of lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), higher levels of proline and total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), along with a more efficient osmotic adjustment. Diamine oxidase (DAO) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities increased significantly in ‘FA1’, ‘FA3’, and ‘FA5’ ecotypes. In summary, the strength of tolerance among ecotypes can be ranked as ‘FA1’ > ‘FA3’ > ‘FA5’ > ‘FA2’ > ‘FA6’ > ‘FA4’ > ‘FA7’ > ‘FA8’ under heat stress and ‘FA5’> ‘FA1’ > ‘FA3’ > ‘FA2’ > ‘FA4’ > ‘FA6’ > ‘FA7’ > ‘FA8’ under cold stress.


2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. F. M. Fennell ◽  
K. Slack

A grazing study was conducted, over a 3-year period (1997–99), on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to compare the yield of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii cv. Matua), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Vulcan) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), on a well-drained red krasnozem soil at Wollongbar Agricultural Research Institute (WAI) and on a heavy clay soil at Casino. The effect of grazing interval (equivalent to the time taken to regrow 1.5, 2.5 or 4 leaves/tiller) in spring, and forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring was also assessed. At both sites, the dry matter (DM) yields of prairie grass over the establishment year and in year 2 were significantly (P<0.001) higher than for the other 2 grass species (mean for 2 years over the 2 sites was 23.8, 8.9 and 7.7 t DM/ha for prairie grass, ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively). In year 3, there was no production of tall fescue or ryegrass at the WAI site while prairie grass produced 11.3 t DM/ha although this was obtained from natural seedling recruitment after the sward was sprayed with a herbicide in February of that year. At the Casino site, ryegrass and tall fescue still made substantial growth in year 3 (3.1 and 2.1 t DM/ha for ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively) but this was significantly below the yields of prairie grass (5.5 t DM/ha). More frequent grazing of prairie grass in spring (equivalent to 1.5 leaves/tiller of regrowth) led to significantly (P<0.05) less plants surviving summer and less seedling recruitment in the following autumn. The annual yield of the 1.5 leaf treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the remaining treatments but only in the third year of the study. Analysis of prairie grass forage samples, taken in June (vegetative sward) and November (reproductive sward), gave magnesium values of less than 0.2% DM which is below the concentration found in ryegrass and that recommended for dairy cattle. The Ca : P and K : (Ca + Mg) ratios in prairie grass improved, as a forage for dairy cows, with regrowth time up to 5 leaves/tiller. Metabolisable energy remained constant with regrowth time in June at 10.8 MJ/kg DM but fell significantly in November from 10.7 MJ/kg DM, immediately post-grazing, to 9.2 MJ/kg DM at the 4.5 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. In contrast to observations in ryegrass, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forage samples of prairie grass taken in November showed a substantial increase with regrowth time to over 12% DM at the 3 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. The high productivity and forage quality of prairie grass obtained over a 3-year period suggests this grass species could be a suitable temperate perennial grass for subtropical dairy pastures. An appropriately long grazing interval in spring seems critical to optimise plant survival over summer and for adequate seed set for seedling recruitment the following autumn. If summer weeds and/or grasses invade to a significant extent, the large seedbank of prairie grass provides the opportunity to spray out the pasture in summer and rely on seedling recruitment to establish a new sward in autumn. The forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring is similar to perennial ryegrass but the magnesium levels are substantially lower and stock grazing this type of pasture for extended periods would need to be supplemented with this mineral.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42.1 ◽  
pp. 7100-7106

1 SUMMARY Selenium is considered an essential element for the life of animals, including humans. Anyway, its necessity and function in the plant organism have not been fully explained yet. The aim of the work was to investigate an effect of foliar application of selenium on the infestation of the perennial ryegrass and tall fescue by fungal pathogen Fusarium culmorum based on a determination of ergosterol in plant biomass. Two major species of grass (perennial ryegrass and tall fescue) cultivated under defined climate chamber conditions were included in the experiment. Within 5 weeks from their germination, a solution of selenium in the form of selenite or selenate, corresponding to 4 mg/m2 Se, was foliarily applied onto the plants. After 14 days of spraying, a solution containing conidia of Fusarium culmorum was applied to the plants. Subsequently, samples of green matter were taken at 14-day intervals, and the content of ergosterol and selenium were determined there. The content of ergosterol, which was selected as a marker of fungal pathogens, was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) on the 28th day after the selenite and selenate application in both grass species. This increase was conclusive (P<0.05), when compared to the control group. No difference was observed between the selenium forms used. From our experiment, it is clear the plants of the perennial ryegrass and tall fescue were more easily attacked by fungal pathogen Fusarium culmorum after the application of selenium. Thus, it is possible to assume the application of selenium acts as stress a factor to plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1085-1091
Author(s):  
A. Dash ◽  
◽  
D. Samant ◽  
D.K. Dash ◽  
S.N. Dash ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum extract, homobrassinolide, and triacontanol for improving fruit retention, yield, and quality in mango. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 10 treatments, comprising Ascophyllum nodosum extract (1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm), homobrassinolide (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 ppm), triacontanol (1, 3, and 5 ppm), and water as control. Treatments were foliar sprayed at panicle initiation, pea, and marble stages of fruit growth. Observations were recorded on flowering, fruiting, yield, and fruit quality parameters. Results: All the treatments of Ascophyllum nodosum extract and triacontanol exhibited significant improvement in fruit retention, fruit weight, yield, and fruit quality parameters over control. However, 3000 and 5000 ppm Ascophyllum nodosum extract treatments outperformed all the treatments of triacontanol. Plants sprayed with 5000 ppm Ascophyllum nodosum extract recorded the maximum value for fruit retention (48.15, 36.74, 29.48, and 25.76% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after pea stage, respectively), number of fruits (133.25 per tree), fruit weight (188.84 g per fruit), and yield (25.16 kg per tree), whereas the lowest values were recorded under control. With respect to fruit quality, 3000 ppm ANE produced the fruits with the highest TSS (19.62 °B), whereas the highest TSS/acid ratio was recorded with 5000 ppm ANE (62.29) treatment. Interpretation: In mango, foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (3000-5000 ppm) thrice at panicle initiation, pea, and marble stages of fruit growth is effective for reducing fruit drop and enhancing quantum and quality of produce.


HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 490C-490
Author(s):  
Bingru Huang ◽  
Hongwen Gao

To investigate shoot physiological responses to drought stress of six tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) cultivars representing several generations of turfgrass improvement, forage-type `Kentucky-31', turf-type `Phoenix', `Phoenix', and `Houndog V', and dwarf-type `Rebel Jr` and `Bonsai' were grown in well-watered or drying soil for 35 days in a greenhouse. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (Tr), relative water content (RWC), and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) declined during drought progression in all cultivars, but the time and the severity of reductions varied with cultivars and physiological factors. Pn, RWC, gs, and Tr decreased significantly for `Rebel Jr', `Bonsai', and `Phoenix' when soil water content declined to 20% after 9 days of treatment (DOT) and for `Falcon II', `Houndog V', and `Kentucky-31' when soil water content dropped to 10% at 15 DOT. A significant decrease in Fv/Fm was not observed in drought-stressed plants until 21 DOT for `Rebel Jr', `Bonsai', and `Phoenix' and 28 DOT for `Houndog V', `Kentucky-31', and `Falcon II'. The decline in Pn was due mostly to internal water deficit and stomatal closure under short-term or mild drought-stress conditions. After a prolonged period of drought (35 DOT), higher Pn in `Falcon II', `Houndog V', and `Kentucky-31' could be attributed to their higher Fv/Fm.


2009 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongmei Du ◽  
Zhaolong Wang ◽  
Bingru Huang

Heat stress may limit the growth of turfgrasses through the induction of oxidative stress, causing cellular and physiological damage. The objective of the study was to examine the association of heat and oxidative stresses between warm-season (C4) and cool-season (C3) turfgrasses. Plants of zoysiagrass (Zoysia matrella L. Merr. cv. Manila) (C4) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreber cv. Barlexus) (C3) were exposed to optimal temperature conditions (24 °C for tall fescue and 34 °C for zoysiagrass) or heat stress (10 °C above the respective optimal temperature for each species) in growth chambers. Zoysiagrass exhibited less severe decline in turf quality and photochemical efficiency and less severe oxidative damage in cellular membranes as demonstrated by lower membrane electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation compared with tall fescue when both were exposed to heat stress. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) declined with heat stress for both species, but to a lesser extent in zoysiagrass than in tall fescue, whereas catalase activity did not change significantly under heat stress and did not exhibit species variation. Our results demonstrate that the superior heat tolerance in zoysiagrass in comparison with tall fescue was associated with greater oxidative scavenging capacity as a result of the maintenance of higher SOD and POD activities.


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