Media Selection and Seed Coating Influence Germination of Turfgrasses under Salinity

Germination of five turfgrass species [‘Barrister’ kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), ‘Barvado’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), ‘Premier II’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), ‘Bargusto’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.), and ‘Sea Spray’ seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz)] from coated (ZEBA® cornstarch coating; Absorbent Technologies Inc., Beaverton, OR) and uncoated seeds was evaluated on both filter paper and agar. Final germination percentage (FGP) and germination rate (GR) were determined at salinity levels of 0.6 (tap water, control), 2.2 (saline groundwater from a local shallow aquifer), and 7.0, 12.5, and 22.5 dS·m−1 [sodium chloride and calcium chloride (1:1, w:w) dissolved in tap water]. Final germination percentage for kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue was greater in agar at all salinity levels but was unaffected by the medium at any of the salinities except for 7 dS·m−1 for bermudagrass and seashore paspalum. Coated seashore paspalum and coated perennial ryegrass seed exhibited greater germination than uncoated seed at four of the five salinity levels. Seed coating had no effect on FGP of bermudagrass at any salinity level and coated kentucky bluegrass seed showed reduced germination at 0.6 and 7.0 dS·m−1. Final germination percentage for seashore paspalum improved from 22% to 54% at 12.5 dS·m−1 and from 8% to 20% at 22.5 dS·m−1 when coated seed was used instead of uncoated seed. Germination rates were unaffected by salinity levels ranging from 0.6 to 12.5 dS·m−1 and were higher on agar (10%/day) than on paper (8%/day). Our study suggests that the choice of medium can influence the outcome of germination tests and that results can also vary depending on the salinity level tested and whether the seed are coated.

Download Full-text

Turfgrass Establishment from Polymer-coated Seed Under Saline Irrigation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.47.12.1789 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (12) ◽

pp. 1789-1794 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Matteo Serena ◽

Bernd Leinauer ◽

Rossana Sallenave ◽

Marco Schiavon ◽

Bernd Maier

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Potable Water ◽

Saline Water ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Seed Coating ◽

Saline Irrigation ◽

Seashore Paspalum

A study was conducted at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, in 2009 and 2010 to investigate the establishment of five turfgrass species {‘Barrister’ kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis L.], ‘Barvado’ tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea Schreb.], ‘Premier II’ perennial ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.], ‘Bargusto’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon. transvalensis Burtt-Davy], and ‘Sea Spray’ seashore paspalum [Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz]} from coated and uncoated seed. The grasses were irrigated at 100% reference evapotranspiration (ET0) during fall, winter, and spring and at 120% ET0 during summer with either saline [electrical conductivity (EC) = 2.3 dS·m−1] or potable water (EC = 0.6 dS·m−1). Generally, seed coating did not affect seedling emergence negatively when irrigated with saline water. During fall, perennial ryegrass exhibited fastest emergence under both saline and potable irrigation and bermudagrass was the only grass to show greater emergence when irrigated with saline water. Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue were the fastest to emerge in spring, regardless of seed coating or water quality. Seed coating delayed early establishment (less than 50% coverage) but did not affect days to reach 95% coverage (DAS95). Bermudagrass and seashore paspalum required the most DAS95 when seeded in the fall; however, bermudagrass needed fewest DAS95 when seeded in the spring. All grasses established faster when seeded in spring compared with fall. Fall-seeded perennial ryegrass and kentucky bluegrass required similar DAS95, whereas kentucky bluegrass seeded in spring was slower to reach 95% coverage than perennial ryegrass. Saline water had no effect on establishment when grasses were sown in fall. Surprisingly, grasses established in spring and irrigated with saline water reached 95% coverage 26 days faster than plots irrigated with potable water. Moreover, the growing degree-day model used in this study did not produce similar values for the different air temperatures and irrigation water qualities.

Download Full-text

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

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.20.2.415 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 415-417 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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.

Download Full-text

Effect of Salinity Levels (NaCl) on Yield, Yield Components and Quality Content of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) Cultivars

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development ◽

10.5296/emsd.v5i2.9852 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Helale Bahrami ◽

Amir Ostadi Jafari ◽

Jamshid Razmjoo

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Yield Components ◽

Seed Oil ◽

Tap Water ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Salinity Level ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Weight Yield ◽

Yield And Yield Components ◽

Salinity Levels

Seeds of ten sesame cultivars (Karaj, Darab, Safiabad, Jiroft, Borazjan, Yellow-white, Felestin, Ultan, Isfahan and Abpakhsh) were sown into soil filled pots in 2008 and 2009. Pots were watered with six levels of salts (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m-1 NaCl) until full maturity. Plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of cultivars were measured. Increasing salinity caused significant reduction in plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of all cultivars. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. Based on seed oil yield data, Safiabad and Kraj at 0.0038ds.m-1, Safiabad and Ultan at 4.89ds.m-1, Ultan, Safiabad and Darab at 8.61 salinity levels were the superior cultivars. High variability in tolerance to salinity among the tested sesame cultivars suggests that selection of more salt tolerant cultivars for planting or breeding purposes is possible.HighlightsEffects of contrasting salinity levels (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m-1NaCl) on sesame cultivars were tested. Salinity reduced plant growth and yield and seed oil and protein contents. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level.

Download Full-text

Optimizing Pre-germination Techniques for Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass1

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 19-23

Author(s):

Julie H. Campbell ◽

Jason J. Henderson ◽

John C. Inguagiato ◽

Victoria H. Wallace ◽

Anthony Minniti

Keyword(s):

Water Temperature ◽

Lolium Perenne ◽

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Untreated Control ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Lolium Perenne L ◽

Seed Soaking ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Many intensively trafficked areas such as athletic fields and golf courses require constant overseeding to maintain suitable turfgrass cover. Rapid seed germination and development are critical to managing these high wear areas. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of water aeration, seed soaking duration, and water temperature on mean germination time (MGT) and final germination percentage (FGP) of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., KBG) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L., PRG). Two separate controlled environment studies were conducted. PRG soaked in aerated water from 8 to 48 h had a 20% decrease in MGT compared to an untreated control, while treated KBG decreased MGT by only 10% compared to an untreated control. Soaking duration and water temperature had significant effects on KBG. KBG MGT was optimized at 20 C (68 F) water temperature with a soaking duration of 24 h. MGT of PRG was optimized when soaked for 8 h while water was aerated. There was no significant difference in FGP for any of the treatments tested. Index words: turfgrass, aeration, seed soaking. Species used in this study: Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.); perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Download Full-text

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

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.115.4.608 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 115 (4) ◽

pp. 608-611 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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.

Download Full-text

A comparison of the performance and growth of a range of turfgrass species under shade

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea02159 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 353 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

R. S. Tegg ◽

P. A. Lane

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Shade Tolerance ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Shoot Elongation ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Ambient Conditions ◽

Rate Of Increase

The increased use of semi and fully enclosed sports stadiums necessitates the ongoing selection, development and assessment of shade-tolerance in turfgrass species. Vertical shoot growth rate is a simple biological measure that may supplement visual turfgrass assessment and provide a useful measure of shade adaptation. Cool-season temperate turfgrasses; Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass (Poa pratensis L.–Lolium perenne L.), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.), supina bluegrass (Poa supina Schrad.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and a warm season species, Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), were established in pot and field experiments and subjected to 4 shade treatments (0, 26, 56 or 65% shade) under ambient conditions. Average light readings taken near the winter and summer solstice in full sunlight at midday, were 790 and 1980�μmol/m2.s, respectively. Field and pot trials confirmed supina bluegrass and tall fescue to have the greatest shade tolerance, producing high turf quality under 56 and 65% shade. However, all turfgrass species declined in quality under high shade levels as indicated by an increase in thin, succulent vertical growth, and a less-dense turf sward. Vertical shoot growth rates of all species increased linearly with increasing shade levels. Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass had the highest rate of increase in vertical shoot elongation under shade, approximately 3.5 times greater than supina bluegrass, which had the lowest. Low rates of increase in vertical shoot elongation under shade indicated shade tolerance whereas high rates inferred shade intolerance.

Download Full-text

Date of Seeding Affects Establishment of Cool-season Turfgrasses

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.11.1.152a ◽

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.

Download Full-text

Variation within Poa Germplasm for Salinity Tolerance

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.44.6.1517 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 1517-1521 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Joseph G. Robins ◽

B. Shaun Bushman ◽

Blair L. Waldron ◽

Paul G. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Salinity Tolerance ◽

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

The United States ◽

Human Populations ◽

Wide Range ◽

Potential Part

As competition for water resources in areas of western North America intensify as a result of increasing human populations, the sustainability of turfgrass irrigation with limited water resources is questionable. A potential part of the solution is the use of recycled wastewater for landscape irrigation. However, as a result of high levels of salt, successful irrigation with recycled wastewater will likely need to be coupled with selection for increased salinity tolerance in turfgrass species. Additionally, salinity-tolerant turfgrass will allow production on soils with inherently high salt levels. The study described here characterized the relative salinity tolerance of 93 accessions of Poa germplasm from the USDA National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Control cultivars of tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire], perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were also evaluated for comparison. Kentucky bluegrass accessions exhibited a wide range of LD50 (salinity dosage necessary to kill 50% of plants) values from 811 ECdays (PI 369296 from Russia) to 1922 ECdays (PI 371768 from the United States). Five kentucky bluegrass accessions exhibited salinity tolerance equal to or better than that of the tall fescue (LD50 = 1815 ECdays) and perennial ryegrass (LD50 = 1754 ECdays) checks. Thus, there is sufficient variation within this species to develop bluegrass with substantially higher salinity tolerance.

Download Full-text

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

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.12.3.465 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 465-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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.

Download Full-text

Cool-season Turfgrass Response to Bispyribac-Sodium

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.5.1552 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

pp. 1552-1555 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Darren W. Lycan ◽

Stephen E. Hart

Keyword(s):

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Creeping Bentgrass ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Cool Season ◽

Severe Stunting ◽

Annual Bluegrass ◽

Fine Fescue

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).

Download Full-text