scholarly journals Glycinebetaine Seed Priming Improved Osmotic and Salinity Tolerance in Turfgrasses

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1171-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Kevin Rue
Keyword(s):  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Salinity Tolerance ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Distilled Water

Exogenous application of glycinebetaine (GB), an osmoprotectant, increases tolerance to stresses including salinity in various plants. Information on turfgrass, however, is limited. In this study, GB was used to prime turfgrass seeds to enhance salinity tolerance during germination and seedling growth stage when plants are more sensitive to stresses. Unprimed and primed (50, 100, 150, or 200 mm solution of GB or distilled water) seeds of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (PR), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) (TF), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) (CB), and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (KB) were germinated in solutions of distilled water, mannitol (causing osmotic stress only), or NaCl (causing both osmotic and ionic stresses). Their osmotic potential (ψS) and salinity level were -0.1 MPa and 0.1 dS·m−1 (no stress), –1.0 MPa and 0.1 dS·m−1 (moderate osmotic stress), and –1.0 MPa and 14.6 dS·m−1 (moderate osmotic and ionic stresses), respectively. Seeds primed with GB showed a higher germination rate (11.0% to 13.9% increase) and seedling growth (19.3% to 20.7% increase) in mannitol or NaCl solution than in distilled water. Different turf species showed different responses to osmotic and ionic stresses. No differences in germination and seedling growth of PR, TF, and KB were observed between mannitol and NaCl treatments, indicating that osmotic stress appeared to more critical than ionic stress under saline conditions. For CB, the seed germination rate and seedling growth were lower (19.3% to 44.2% reduction) in NaCl than in mannitol, showing an accumulative effect of both osmotic and ionic stresses under saline conditions.

scholarly journals Salinity Tolerance of 12 Turfgrasses in Three Germination Media

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Sheng Wang ◽  
Kevin Rue
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Salinity Tolerance ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Agar Medium ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Salinity Level ◽  
Hydroponic System ◽  
Significant Difference

Salinity tolerance of 12 turfgrasses in four groups, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), fescues (Festuca spp.), kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratesis L.), and alkaligrass [Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl.], was evaluated using three germination methods. Seeds were germinated on 1% agar medium, on germination paper, or in a hydroponic system under salinity levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g·L−1 NaCl. Germination rate and seedling growth of each grass were determined. Salinity reduced the final germination rate (FGR), daily germination rate (DGR), and seedling leaf area (LA) in all tests. On agar medium, no significant difference in salinity tolerance was observed among the four turf groups; however, ‘Turf Blue’ kentucky bluegrass with a corn starch-based coating (coated ‘Turf Blue’) showed a significant higher salinity tolerance than the uncoated one. Using germination paper, creeping bentgrass required the highest salinity level to cause 50% reduction in FGR followed by alkaligrass, fescues, and kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass required the lowest salinity level (9.5 g·L−1) to reduce DGR by 50%. With the hydroponic system, alkaligrass required a salinity level of 26.3 g·L−1 to reduce FGR by 50%, the highest among the four groups. Alkaligrass showed again the highest salinity tolerance with an average of 12.7 g·L−1 needed to reduce LA by 50%. Among the grasses, coated ‘Turf Blue’ kentucky bluegrass, ‘Declaration’ creeping bentgrass, and ‘Fults’ alkaligrass showed the highest salinity tolerance when evaluated on agar medium, on germination paper, or in the hydroponic system, respectively. The present study determined the salinity tolerance of 12 turfgrasses at seed germination and early seedling growth stages and showed that the germination method was a factor affecting the evaluation result and it should be considered in a seed germination test of turfgrass for salinity tolerance.

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 The Effect of Glycinebetaine Priming on Seed Germination of Six Turfgrass Species under Drought, Salinity, or Temperature Stress

HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 1454-1460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Kevin Rue ◽  
Jeanna Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Stress Tolerance ◽  
Temperature Stress ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Control Treatment

Glycinebetaine (GB) seed priming enhances stress tolerance in various plants during the germination and seedling growth stage; however, information regarding turfgrass is limited. In this study, GB at 5 to 50 mm was used to prime seeds of six turfgrass species to evaluate the potential of GB priming in enhancing tolerance to drought, salinity, and sub-optimal temperature during germination. Stress tolerance was determined as relative final germination percentage (FGP) and daily germination percentage (DGP), expressed as percentage of germination under stress conditions compared with the control treatment (i.e., unprimed seeds germinated under non-stress condition) for each species. Daily germination percentage was more sensitive to stress than FGP. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) showed high tolerance to drought, salinity, and chilling temperatures (5 and 10 °C below optimal germination temperature) followed by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris L.), whereas kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon (L.) Pers.], and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) were stress-sensitive. Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass showed higher germination at 10 mm GB under temperature stress and drought and temperature stresses, respectively; however, other grasses showed limited responses to seed priming. Our results showed that the efficacy of GB priming is plant-, GB concentration-, and stressor-dependent.

scholarly journals 279 Influence of NaCl on Seed Germination of Selected Cool-season Turfgrass Species

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 490D-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoon Kang ◽  
Chiwon W. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Red Fescue

The influence of increasing levels (0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, and 2.0%) of NaCl on the germination of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) was investigated. Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and crested wheatgrass had a 50% reduction in germination at 0.2%, 0.6%, and 0.6% NaCl, respectively, compared to the control and completely lost germination at 0.6%, 1.2%, and 1.6% NaCl, respectively. Seed germination in both annual ryegrass and perennial ryegrass was only 50% of the control at 1.2% NaCl and completely inhibited at 2.0% NaCl. Tall fescue, red fescue, and creeping red fescue showed a 50% reduction in germination at NaCl concentrations of 1.2%, 1.2%, and 0.8%, respectively, while showing a complete inhibition of germination at 2.0%, 2.0%, and 1.6% NaCl, respectively.

Shade performance of a range of turfgrass species improved by trinexapac-ethyl

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 939 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Tegg ◽  
P. A. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
The Impact

The increased use of enclosed sports stadiums produces shade conditions that seriously affect the quality of turfgrass surfaces, by encouraging undesirable excess vertical succulent growth. Plant growth regulators offer an opportunity to modify a plant’s growth habit, to enable it to be better adapted to a shady environment. To examine growth response to the plant growth regulator, trinexapac-ethyl, 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 a field experiment. Main treatments were 4 levels of shade (0, 26, 56 or 65% shade), with or without trinexapac-ethyl at a rate of 0.5 kg/ha. A pot experiment measured the vertical shoot growth rates of Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass and tall fescue under 0, 56 or 65% shade, with and without trinexapac-ethyl. Both experiments were conducted under ambient conditions. Light readings taken in full sunlight, at midday through summer and autumn (major period of assessment), ranged from 1350 to 1950 μmol/m2.s. Trinexapac-ethyl reduced vertical growth of all turfgrass species. This resulted in decreased clipping weights and in clipping material having an increased dry matter percentage (i.e. reduced succulence). The impact of trinexapac-ethyl on sward quality and colour was dependent on shade level, for all species. At 56 and 65% shade, quality and colour improvement was maximised with trinexapac-ethyl application; the magnitude of improvement was dependent on species, with Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass and bentgrass showing the most benefit. It was concluded that trinexapac-ethyl improved the shade performance of a number of turfgrass species commonly used in high quality turf surfaces. It may offer the potential to reduce costs of managing turf in such an environment.

scholarly journals Selective Creeping Bentgrass Control in Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue with Mesotrione and Triclopyr Ester

HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. Dernoeden ◽  
John E. Kaminski ◽  
Jinmin Fu
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Application Frequency

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)

scholarly journals Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis of Dry Turfgrass Seed

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Sweeney ◽  
Robert Golembiewski ◽  
Karl Danneberger
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Rapd Markers ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽  
Leaf Tissue ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Variety Identification ◽  
Arbitrary Primers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers from leaf tissue extractions are effective for discrimination of turfgrass varieties. The usefulness of RAPD markers for turfgrass variety identification can be enhanced by use of seed rather than leaf tissue for DNA extraction. To determine whether DNA extracted from turfgrass seed was suitable for amplification, DNA was extracted from bulk samples and individual seeds of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], chewings fescue (Festuca rubra var. commutata Gaud.), Poa annua L., Poa supina Schrad., creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stolonifera L. var. palustrus (Huds.) Farw.], Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). All samples were successfully amplified using an arbitrary primer. Amplification intensity varied among species. With an almost infinite number of arbitrary primers available, it is likely that suitable primers can be found to amplify DNA from most turfgrass species. Amplification of turfgrass seed DNA, whether bulk or individual seed, is possible and should prove more useful than amplification of leaf tissue DNA for discrimination of turfgrass varieties.

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 Evaluation of Salinity Tolerance of Prairie Junegrass, a Potential Low-maintenance Turfgrass Species

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1038-1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Wang ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Eric Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Salt Tolerance ◽  
Salinity Tolerance ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Salt Tolerant

Prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) is a perennial, cool-season, native grass that has shown potential for use as a turfgrass species in the northern Great Plains; however, limited information is available on its salt tolerance. In this study, salinity tolerance of four junegrass populations from North America (Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Dakota) and two improved turf-type cultivars from Europe (‘Barleria’ and ‘Barkoel’) was evaluated and compared with kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), sheep fescue (Festuca ovina), hard fescue (F. brevipila), and tall fescue (F. arundinacea). Salinity tolerance was determined based on the predicted salinity level causing 50% reduction of final germination rate (PSLF) and daily germination rate (PSLD) as well as electrolyte leakage (EL), tissue dry weight (DW), and visual quality (VQ) of mature plants. All populations of prairie junegrass showed similar salt tolerance with an average of PSLF and PSLD being 7.1 and 5.3 g·L−1 NaCl, respectively, comparable to kentucky bluegrass and hard and sheep fescue but lower than tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Larger variations were observed in VQ in the junegrasses compared with EL and DW, in which ‘Barleria’ from the European population showed the highest VQ, following two salt-tolerant grasses, tall fescue and sheep fescue. Nebraska population was the least salt-tolerant within the species but still exhibited similar or higher tolerance than kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass cv. Arctic Green. Overall, junegrass was more salt-sensitive during germination but more tolerant to salinity when mature. Salinity tolerance of junegrass may be further improved through turfgrass breeding because salinity tolerance varied in different populations.

scholarly journals Seed Coating and Seeding Rate Effects on Turfgrass Germination and Establishment

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Leinauer ◽  
Matteo Serena ◽  
Devesh Singh
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Seed Coating ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
New Mexico State University ◽  
Coated Seed

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.

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