scholarly journals Low-temperature Nitrogen Uptake and Use of Three Cool-season Turfgrasses under Controlled Environments

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1545-1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. Lloyd ◽  
Douglas J. Soldat ◽  
John C. Stier

Fall fertilization of turfgrass in northern climates is often considered to be agronomically beneficial, although research on nitrogen (N) uptake during cold temperatures is sparse and environmental concerns exist regarding nitrate leaching. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate N uptake potential, use, and plant metabolic response in a climate-controlled environment evaluating the responses of various cool-season turfgrass species to variable N rates and temperature regimens. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and annual bluegrass (Poa annua var. reptans L.) were seeded and grown for 3 months and then acclimated in a growth chamber to one of three climate regimens corresponding to 15 Sept., 15 Oct., and 15 Nov. in Madison, WI. Grasses were fertilized at 0, 25, 49, or 98 kg·ha−1 N with 15N-labeled ammonium sulfate (10 atom % 15N) by applying a liquid solution of 75 mL per pot (1 cm of solution in depth). Data collected included verdure biomass, root mass, net canopy photosynthesis, and 15N fertilizer uptake. For all turfgrass species, shoot growth increased in response to N application in the September regimen, but not in October or November regimens. N uptake was significantly lower in the November regimen compared with September with an average of 73% of fertilizer recovery in September compared with 57% and 38% in October and November, respectively. Root mass and net canopy photosynthesis were greatest in the November treatments, although these responses were generally unaffected by N application rate. The results of this study indicate that N uptake capacity is greatly reduced as average daily temperatures approach 0 °C. Nitrogen application rates should be adjusted downward to maximize uptake efficiency in cold temperatures.

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren W. Lycan ◽  
Stephen E. Hart

Previous research has demonstrated that bispyribac-sodium can selectively control established annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Annual bluegrass is also a problematic weed in other cool-season turfgrass species. However, the relative tolerance of other cool-season turfgrass species to bispyribac is not known. Field experiments were conducted at Adelphia, N.J., in 2002 and 2003 to gain understanding of the phytotoxic effects that bispyribac may have on kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (L.) Schreb.), and chewings fine fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaud.). Single applications of bispyribac at 37 to 296 g·ha–1 were applied to mature stands of each species on 11 June, 2002 and 10 June, 2003. Visual injury was evaluated and clippings were collected 35 and 70 days after treatment (DAT). Visual injury at 35 DAT increased as bispyribac rate increased. Kentucky bluegrass was least tolerant to bispyribac with up to 28% injury when applied at 296 g·ha–1. Injury on other species did not exceed 20%. Initial injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue was primarily in the form of chlorosis, while kentucky bluegrass exhibited more severe stunting and thinning symptoms. Bispyribac at rates from 74 to 296 g·ha–1 reduced kentucky bluegrass clipping weights by 19% to 35%, respectively, as compared to the untreated control at 35 DAT in 2002. Initial visual injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue dissipated to ≤5% by 70 DAT. However, recovery of kentucky bluegrass was less complete. These studies suggest that bispyribac-sodium has potential to severely injure kentucky bluegrass. Injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue appears to be less severe and persistent; therefore, bispyribac can be used for weed control in these species. Chemical names used: 2,6-bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzoic acid (bispyribac-sodium).


HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1689-1694
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Elmore ◽  
James A. Murphy ◽  
Bradley S. Park

Creeping bentgrass (CBG; Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a problematic weed of cool-season turfgrass. The herbicide mesotrione is often used for selective control, but CBG often recovers from sequential applications. Research evaluated the efficacy of mesotrione-based sequential application regimens for CBG control in kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) over a 2-year period. In two separate experiments, identical herbicide regimens were initiated in Oct. 2014 or May 2015 and then reapplied to the same plots in Oct. 2015 or May 2016, respectively. Regimens consisted of various sequential application regimens of mesotrione alone (totaling 560 g·ha–1 annually), three sequential applications of mesotrione (175 g·ha–1) tank-mixed with either triclopyr ester (560 or 1120 g·ha–1) or amicarbazone (50 or 100 g·ha–1), and topramezone (32 or 37 g·ha–1) tank-mixed with triclopyr ester (1120 g·ha–1). At the end of each 2-year experiment, the most effective treatments did not eliminate CBG completely. Among treatment regimens initiated in the fall, the most effective treatments reduced CBG cover 49% to 73% at the conclusion of the experiment in Oct. 2016. At the conclusion of the spring experiment in May 2017, the most effective treatments reduced CBG cover 66% to 94%. Topramezone + triclopyr tank mixtures were less effective than mesotrione-containing treatments on most dates. Mesotrione + amicarbazone tank mixtures reduced CBG more effectively than mesotrione alone, but these tank mixtures also caused severe kentucky bluegrass injury. CBG cover reductions from mesotrione + triclopyr tank mixtures and mesotrione alone were generally similar. Among mesotrione-only regimens, there were no consistent differences in CBG cover reduction. This research indicates that turf managers using a selective herbicide regimen to control CBG in kentucky bluegrass should apply mesotrione at the maximum annual use rate (560 g·ha–1) in two to four sequential applications at 2- to 3-week intervals.


HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. Dernoeden ◽  
John E. Kaminski ◽  
Jinmin Fu

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.; CBG) is a common weed in home lawns and golf course roughs in many regions of the United States. Currently, no herbicides are registered for selective control of CBG in cool-season grasses. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the ability of mesotrione and triclopyr ester to selectively remove CBG from Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Mesotrione (0.14 and 0.21 kg·ha−1 a.i.) and triclopyr ester (0.56 and 1.12 kg·ha−1 a.i.) were applied on a 2-week interval two, three, or four times in Connecticut and Maryland in 2005, and three or four times in Maryland in 2006. Two applications of mesotrione at 0.21 kg·ha−1 a.i. provided marginally acceptable CBG control, but three or four applications at 0.14 or 0.21 kg·ha−1 a.i. provided excellent CBG control. Mesotrione elicited little or no injury to Kentucky bluegrass, but generally caused objectionable injury in tall fescue for about 7 to 14 d after each application. Triclopyr applied at 0.56 kg·ha−1 a.i. reduced CBG cover, but the level of control generally was unacceptable, regardless of application frequency. Three or four applications of triclopyr (1.12 kg·ha−1 a.i.) effectively controlled CBG in Connecticut in 2005 and Maryland in 2006. Triclopyr caused no visual injury to tall fescue, regardless of rate or application frequency. Four triclopyr applications to Kentucky bluegrass, however, were phytotoxic and reduced stand density, especially at the high rate (1.12 kg·ha−1 a.i.). Three summer applications of mesotrione (0.14 kg·ha−1 a.i.) or triclopyr (1.12 kg·ha−1 a.i.) provided the best combination of turfgrass safety and CBG control. Chemical names used: [(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid (triclopyr ester); 2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzoyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione (mesotrione)


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Leinauer ◽  
Matteo Serena ◽  
Devesh Singh

A field experiment was conducted at New Mexico State University to investigate the effect of seeding rates and ZEBA polymer [starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-propenoic acid) potassium salt] seed coating on the germination and establishment of warm- and cool-season grasses, and cool-season blends and mixtures. Grasses were established at recommended and reduced (50% of recommended) seeding rates with coated and uncoated seeds under two irrigation regimes (98% and 56% reference evapotranspiration). With the exception of ‘Bengal’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), the polymer coating did not improve germination of the turfgrasses tested 22 days after seeding (DAS). However, at the end of the establishment period (92 DAS), plots established with ‘Bengal’, Dunes Mix [mixture of ‘Hardtop’ hard fescue (Festuca longifolia), ‘Baron’ kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), ‘Barok’ sheep fescue (Festuca ovina)], ‘Panama’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), and Turf Sense™ [mixture of ‘Baronie’ kentucky bluegrass, ‘Barlennium’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and ‘Barcampsia’ tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)] achieved greater coverage (based on visual estimations) when coated seed was used compared with uncoated seed. Establishment was greater for ‘Bengal’, Dunes Mix, ‘Panama’, Turf Sense™, and Turf Saver™ [blend of ‘Barlexas II’, ‘Barrington’, and ‘Labarinth’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)] when normal seeding rates were applied compared with reduced seeding rates. ‘Barleria’ crested hairgrass (Koeleria macrantha) plots did not establish, regardless of the treatments applied. Results showed that seed coating has the potential to improve establishment at recommended and reduced seeding rates and can compensate for less favorable conditions such as reduced irrigation, reduced seeding rate, or for a combination of both. At the end of the establishment period, not all grasses achieved coverage greater than 50%. Further research over a longer establishment period is needed to determine if coated seed can be beneficial in achieving full coverage.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
H. G. Najda

Little information is available on the management of turfgrass species for seed production in the Canadian prairies. The objective of these studies was to assess the impact of residue management and row spacing on seed yield under irrigation. A factorial experiment was seeded at Saskatoon, SK, in 1993 to assess the impact of burning or scalping (very close mowing with residue removal) vs. mowing, and 20- vs. 40-cm row spacing on seed yield of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis), creeping red fescue (CRF) (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and creeping bentgrass (CBG) (Agrostis palustris). Also, a residue management trial on KBG was seeded at Brooks, AB, in 1993. At Saskatoon, yield was higher at 20-cm spacing across all three species in 1994, but spacing had no impact on winter survival, stand density, tiller growth or yield in subsequent years. Burning and scalping consistently resulted in earlier spring green-up, a higher proportion of fertile tillers, and higher seed yield than mowing. Even with residue management, yield declined after one harvest in CBG and CRF, and after two harvests in KBG. At Brooks, residue management had a similar impact on yield of KBG. A second trial at Brooks examined the impact of row spacing (20, 40, 60 cm) and seeding rate (0.5 to 6 kg seed ha-1) on KBG. Seed yield was highest at 40-cm spacings in 1994, at 60 cm in 1995, and at 40 to 60 cm in 1996. Seeding rate did not have a consistent effect on yield. We conclude that a combination of residue management and 20- to 40-cm spacings provide the highest, most consistent seed yields for these turfgrass species in this region. Key words: Burning, clipping, turfgrass, seed production, row spacing, Poa, Festuca, Agrostis


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.


Weed Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick E. McCullough ◽  
Jialin Yu ◽  
Mark A. Czarnota ◽  
Paul L. Raymer

Bermudagrass and goosegrass are problematic weeds with limited herbicides available for POST control in creeping bentgrass. Metamifop effectively controls these weeds with greater selectivity in cool-season grasses than other ACCase inhibitors. The objectives of this research were to determine the physiological basis for metamifop selectivity in turfgrasses. In greenhouse experiments, metamifop rate required to reduce shoot biomass 50% from the nontreated (GR50) at 4 wk after treatment was > 6,400, 2,166, and 53 g ai ha−1for creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and goosegrass, respectively. The GR50for bermudagrass treated with diclofop-methyl or metamifop was 2,850 and 60 g ha−1, respectively. In laboratory experiments, peak absorption of14C-metamifop was reached at 48, 72, and 96 h after treatment (HAT) for goosegrass, creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass, respectively. Grasses translocated < 10% of the absorbed radioactivity out of the treated leaf at 96 HAT, but creeping bentgrass translocated three times more radioactivity than goosegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and goosegrass metabolized 16, 14, and 25% of14C-metamifop after 96 h, respectively. Goosegrass had around two times greater levels of a metabolite at retention factor 0.45 than creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The concentration of metamifop required to inhibit isolated ACCase enzymes 50% from the nontreated (I50) measured > 100, > 100, and 38 μM for creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and goosegrass, respectively. In other experiments, foliar absorption of14C-metamifop in bermudagrass was similar to14C-diclofop-methyl. Bermudagrass metabolized 23 and 60% of the absorbed14C-diclofop-methyl to diclofop acid and a polar conjugate after 96 h, respectively, but only 14% of14C-metamifop was metabolized. Isolated ACCase was equally susceptible to inhibition by diclofop acid and metamifop (I50= 0.7 μM), suggesting degradation rate is associated with bermudagrass tolerance levels to these herbicides. Overall, the physiological basis for metamifop selectivity in turfgrass is differential levels of target site inhibition.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 582-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey F. Derr

Broadleaf weeds are common and troublesome pests in cool-season turfgrass species such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and creeping bentgrass. Broadleaf weeds are primarily managed in these grasses through POST applications of growth regulator herbicides in the phenoxy, benzoic acid, and pyridine chemical classes. There are disadvantages to use of these chemicals, including nontarget plant damage and limited residual control. Certain annual broadleaf weeds can be controlled through application of isoxaben or a PRE crabgrass herbicide, but these herbicides do not control emerged broadleaf weeds. There are advantages to use of sulfonylurea herbicides, including PRE and POST control of annual and perennial weeds, a different mode of action, and these herbicides have low vapor pressure, reducing the potential for offsite movement. There are disadvantages to the use of sulfonylurea herbicides, including limited spectrum of broadleaf weed species controlled and limited tolerance in cool-season turfgrass species. The primary sulfonylurea herbicides used in cool-season turfgrass are chlorsulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, and sulfosulfuron. There have been specialized uses for primisulfuron and tribenuron-methyl.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-170
Author(s):  
Kenneth Lynn Diesburg ◽  
Ronald F. Krausz

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.


2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152a
Author(s):  
Zachary J. Reicher ◽  
Clark S. Throssell ◽  
Daniel V. Weisenberger

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.


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