scholarly journals Silicon Effects on Poa pratensis Responses to Salinity

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1876-1881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Chai ◽  
Xinqing Shao ◽  
Jianquan Zhang

Understanding turfgrass response to silicon (Si) application under salinity conditions is important to find a way to improve turfgrass salt tolerance for turf management. The objective of the study was to investigate effects of increasing amendment concentrations of Na2SiO3 on turf growth and distribution of Na+ and K+ in seedlings of kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis L.) under salinity stress. This growth chamber experiment was consisted of a control (no salinity and no Si) and five Si amendment treatments (0, 0.24, 0.48, 0.72, and 0.96 g Si/kg saline soil) under 10 g·kg−1 salinity conditions. Seed germination rate was significantly increased after 12 d under 0.48 g·kg−1 Si treatment. Plant height and canopy coverage were increased under 0.72 g·kg−1 Si treatment after 40 and 44 d of treatment, respectively, and tiller number was increased under 0.96 g·kg−1 Si treatment compared with 0 Si under saline conditions. With the supplement of Si at 0.48 to 0.96 g·kg−1, the ratio of Na+/K+ in shoots was decreased and individual leaf area was increased compared with 0 Si under saline conditions. The increase in individual leaf area was mainly the result of the increase in the leaf blade length. The concentration of K+ in shoots was significantly increased, whereas the concentrations of Na+ in roots were significantly decreased under all Si amendment treatments. The content of K+ was higher in shoots than in roots, but the ratio of Na+/K+ in roots was higher than in shoots in all Si amendment treatments. The results indicate that under saline conditions, Si induced the transfer of K+ from roots to shoots but inhibited the absorption and transfer of Na+, which may contribute to better turf quality and growth with Si treatment under saline conditions.

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xunzhong Zhang ◽  
Wenli Wu ◽  
Erik H. Ervin ◽  
Chao Shang ◽  
Kim Harich

Plant hormones play an important role in plant adaptation to abiotic stress, but hormonal responses of cool-season turfgrass species to salt stress are not well documented. This study was carried out to investigate the responses of hormones to salt stress and examine if salt stress-induced injury was associated with hormonal alteration in kentucky bluegrass (KBG, Poa pratensis L.). The grass was grown in a growth chamber for 6 weeks and then subjected to salt stress (170 mm NaCl) for 28 days. Salt stress caused cell membrane damage, resulting in photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll (Chl), and turf quality decline in KBG. Salt stress increased leaf abscisic acid (ABA) and ABA/cytokinin (CK) ratio; reduced trans-zeatin riboside (ZR), isopentenyl adenosine (iPA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), but did not affect gibberellin A4 (GA4). On average, salt stress reduced ZR by 67.4% and IAA by 58.6%, whereas it increased ABA by 398.5%. At the end of the experiment (day 28), turf quality, Pn, and stomatal conductance (gs) were negatively correlated with ABA and ABA/CK ratio, but positively correlated with ZR, iPA, and IAA. Electrolyte leakage (EL) was positively correlated with ABA and ABA/CK and negatively correlated with ZR, iPA, IAA, and GA4. GA4 was also positively correlated with turf quality and gs. The results of this study suggest that salt stress-induced injury of the cell membrane and photosynthetic function may be associated with hormonal alteration and imbalance in KBG.


1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Christopher Hall ◽  
C. Ken Carey

Effects of linuron on annual bluegrass control and Kentucky bluegrass cultivar tolerance were studied in field and growth chamber experiments. In controlled environment experiments, linuron at 0.06, 0.12, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 kg ai ha-1 was applied to pure stands of annual bluegrass and eight Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. Linuron at the two highest rates controlled annual bluegrass, reducing the clipping dry weight by more than 85% 4 wk after treatment, and by 65 to 92% 6 wk after treatment. Growth of Kentucky bluegrass was reduced with the most severe reduction occurring 2 wk after linuron application. All cultivars exhibited normal growth 8 wk after treatment. In field experiments, linuron at rates from 1.5 to 2.0 kg ai ha-1 controlled annual bluegrass in old (> 5 yr) Kentucky bluegrass stands, and in 16 cultivars of 1-yr and 2-yr-old Kentucky bluegrass stands, with little or no damage. At rates of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg ai ha-1 linuron, damage to newly seeded cultivars was moderate to severe. However, 6 to 7 wk after linuron application to newly seeded cultivars, stand density and turf quality were equivalent to untreated checks.


2016 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Shaun Bushman ◽  
Lijun Wang ◽  
Xin Dai ◽  
Alpana Joshi ◽  
Joseph G. Robins ◽  
...  

Much of semiarid western North America is salt affected, and using turfgrasses in salty areas can be challenging. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is relatively susceptible to salt stress, showing reduced growth, osmotic and ionic stress, and eventual death at moderate or high salt concentrations. Considerable variation exists for salt tolerance among kentucky bluegrass germplasm, but gaining consistency among studies and entries has been a challenge. In this study, two novel kentucky bluegrass accessions recently reported as salt tolerant (PI 371768 and PI 440603) and two cultivars commonly used as references (Baron and Midnight) were compared for their turf quality (TQ), stomatal conductance (gS), leaf water potential (ψLEAF), electrolyte leakage (EL), and accumulation of inorganic ions under salt stress. TQ, ψLEAF, and EL were highly correlated with each other while only moderately correlated with gS. The tolerant accessions showed higher ψLEAF and lower EL than the cultivars Midnight and Baron at increasing salt concentrations and over 28 days of treatment. The accumulation of sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) in the leaves was highly correlated and did not vary significantly among the four entries. Genes involved in ion transport across membranes, and in antioxidant activities, were significantly induced on salt stress in the tolerant accessions relative to the susceptible. These data indicate the ability of tolerant accessions to ameliorate oxidative stress and prevent EL, and confirmed the tolerance of germplasm previously reported on while indicating mechanisms by which they tolerate the salt stress.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah Saud ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Yang Chen ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Shah Fahad ◽  
...  

Drought stress encumbers the growth of turfgrass principally by disrupting the plant-water relations and physiological functions. The present study was carried out to appraise the role of silicon (Si) in improving the drought tolerance in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL.). Drought stress and four levels (0, 200, 400, and 800 mg L−1) of Si (Na2SiO3·9H2O) were imposed after 2 months old plants cultured under glasshouse conditions. Drought stress was found to decrease the photosynthesis, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water content, relative growth rate, water use efficiency, and turf quality, but to increase in the root/shoot and leaf carbon/nitrogen ratio. Such physiological interferences, disturbances in plant water relations, and visually noticeable growth reductions in Kentucky bluegrass were significantly alleviated by the addition of Si after drought stress. For example, Si application at 400 mg L−1significantly increased the net photosynthesis by 44%, leaf water contents by 33%, leaf green color by 42%, and turf quality by 44% after 20 days of drought stress. Si application proved beneficial in improving the performance of Kentucky bluegrass in the present study suggesting that manipulation of endogenous Si through genetic or biotechnological means may result in the development of drought resistance in grasses.


2003 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaolong Wang ◽  
Bingru Huang ◽  
Qingzhang Xu

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important hormone regulating plant response to drought stress. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of exogenous ABA application on turf performance and physiological activities of kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in response to drought stress. Plants of two kentucky bluegrass cultivars, `Brilliant' (drought susceptible) and `Midnight' (drought tolerant), were treated with ABA (100 μm) or water by foliar application and then grown under drought stress (no irrigation) or well-watered (irrigation on alternate days) conditions in a growth chamber. The two cultivars responded similarly to ABA application under both watering regimes. Foliar application of ABA had no effects on turf quality or physiological parameters under well-watered conditions. ABA application, however, helped maintain higher turf quality and delayed the quality decline during drought stress, compared to the untreated control. ABA-treated plants exposed to drought stress had higher cell membrane stability, as indicated by less electrolyte leakage of leaves, and higher photochemical efficiency, expressed as Fv/Fm, compared to untreated plants. Leaf water potential was not significantly affected, whereas leaf turgor pressure increased with ABA application after 9 and 12 d of drought. Osmotic adjustment increased with ABA application, and was sustained for a longer period of drought in `Midnight' than in `Brilliant'. The results suggested that exogenous ABA application improved turf performance during drought in both drought-sensitive and tolerant cultivars of kentucky bluegrass. This positive effect of ABA could be related to increased osmotic adjustment, cell turgor maintenance, and reduced damage to cell membranes and the photosynthetic system.


1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. CORDUKES ◽  
A. J. MACLEAN

Addition of CaCl2∙2H2O at the rate of 2,000 ppm to give a conductivity of 7.2 mmhos/cm in a saturated paste extract of three soils varying in texture from sand to clay loam had no apparent effects on the quality of turf of Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra L., and perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., grown in pot tests. When the rate was increased to 8,000 ppm and the conductivity to about 20 mmhos/cm, the turfgrass deteriorated markedly in the clay loam and the sandy loam and to a lesser degree in the sand. All species reacted similarly to the detrimental effect of salt in the soils, and the deterioration in turf quality was accompanied by a decline in root production. The concentration of chloride in leaf tissue usually increased with increasing amounts of salt in the soils and tended to be highest in perennial ryegrass and lowest in creeping red fescue. At the higher rates of salt addition, the amounts of chloride in the turfgrass tended to be lower on the sand than on the other soils.


1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-659
Author(s):  
W. E. CORDUKES ◽  
C. J. WILLIAMS

Stems of 18 cultivars of Poa pratensis L. were shielded and grown in different environments to measure the effects of daylength and temperature with the object of determining the usefulness of this technique for cultivar selection. The four growth environments were: long days, low temperature (LDLT): long days, high temperature (LDHT); short days, low temperature (SDLT); short days, high temperature (SDHT). The mean growth period in the LDLT, LDHT and the SDLT environments was 123 days, but growth ceased in the SDHT regime after 78 days. Daylength and temperature significantly affected growth; cultivars that produced long stems had many nodes and a short upper leaf blade while short-stemmed cultivars had few buds and a long upper leaf blade. These distinct growth traits were stable and can thus be used in cultivar selection. Discriminant analyses assigned the cultivars to three groupings: group A cultivars originated from northern environments while group C cultivars were of southern origin. Group B cultivars were found at locations intermediate to those of A and C. Canadian cultivar performance for turf was closely allied to the three groupings.


Weed Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Maloy ◽  
Nick E. Christians

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL. ‘Parade’, ‘Adelphi’, ‘Glade’, and ‘Rugby’ # POAPR) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb. ‘Kentucky 31’ # FESAR) were treated in field experiments with chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide}. The objectives of the two experiments were to determine if this herbicide has the potential to be used for selective control of tall fescue in Kentucky bluegrass turf. Chlorsulfuron treatments included single rates of 0, 18, 35, 71, 141, 212, and 282 g ai/ha and split rates, applied 14 days apart, of 18 + 18, 35 + 35, 71 + 71, 141 + 141, and 212 + 212 g/ha. Clipping weights and turfgrass quality ratings were taken in both experiments. Kentucky bluegrass showed a higher tolerance to the chemical, with no decrease in turf quality at the highest single and split application rates in both experiments. However, as the chlorsulfuron rate increased, clipping weight decreased. Tall fescue showed a low tolerance to the chemical and was controlled at single rates of 141 g/ha and split rates of 141 + 141 g/ha and greater. Although the tall fescue recovered from damage at single rates of 71 g/ha and split rates of 71 + 71 g/ha, severe growth inhibition and discoloration of aboveground tissue occurred at the lower rates. Twelve months after the first chlorsulfuron was applied in each experiment, glyphosate [isopropylamine salt ofN-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] was sprayed over the plots to kill all existing plant material, and Kentucky bluegrass was seeded into the plots 2 weeks later at the rate of 0.75 kg/100 m2. There was no inhibition of bluegrass seed germination at any of the rates of chlorsulfuron.


2012 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhimin Yang ◽  
Jingjin Yu ◽  
Emily Merewitz ◽  
Bingru Huang

Abscisic acid (ABA) and glycine betaine (GB) may regulate plant responses to drought or salinity stress. The objectives of this controlled-environment study were to determine whether foliar application of ABA or GB improves turf quality under drought or salinity and whether improved stress responses were associated changes in antioxidant metabolism in two C3 turfgrass species, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Physiological parameters evaluated included turf quality, leaf relative water content, membrane electrolyte leakage (EL), membrane lipid peroxidation [expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) content], and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Abscisic acid and GB were both effective in mitigating physiological damage resulting from drought or salinity for both grass species, but effects were more pronounced on kentucky bluegrass. The most notable effects of ABA or GB application were the suppression of EL and MDA accumulation and an increase in APX, POD, and SOD activities after prolonged periods of drought (21 days) or salinity stress (35 days). These results suggest foliar application of ABA or GB may alleviate physiological damage by drought or salinity stress in turfgrass and the maintenance of membrane stability and active antioxidant metabolism could contribute to the positive effects in the stress mitigation effects.


HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1109f-1109
Author(s):  
Anthony Koski

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of soil-incorporated hydrogel to reduce irrigation requirements of transplanted Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) sod. The treatments included an untilled control, tilled soil, and tilled soil with incorporated hydrogel. Initial irrigation treatment were made daily, at various percentages of potential evapotraspiration (PET), to determine irrigation requirements of newly transplanted sod. Other irrigation treatments were later imposed on transplanted sod which had been established at 100% of PET, to determine irrigation requirements of established sod. Turf quality was measured weekly, and sod transplant rooting strength was also measured.


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