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 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 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.

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

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
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.

Residue management increases seed yield of three turfgrass species on the Canadian prairies

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
H. G. Najda
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
The Impact

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

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.

Phytophagous arthropods and silvertop levels associated with post-harvest residue treatments in three turfgrass species grown for seed

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
B. D. Gossen
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Festuca Rubra ◽  
Agrostis Palustris ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
The Impact

Silvertop, which is characterized by whitish, completely sterile seed heads produced on green tillers, is a common symptom in many perennial grasses. A 3-yr study of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) grown for seed production was conducted at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to investigate the cause(s) of silvertop, the impact of residue management strategies on silvertop incidence, and the impact of silvertop on seed yield. Three residue management practices were applied in the fall of the first harvest year and again the next fall, as follows: (i) burned after harvest; (ii) clipped to 1–2 cm in height and the residue removed; or (iii) mowed to 20 cm and the residue retained. Arthropods in each plot were collected weekly from May until July by sweep sampling, counted, and identified to family level or lower, and the incidence of seed heads with and without silvertop were assessed. The majority of arthropods were thrips, leafhoppers, plant bugs, mites, or grass-dwelling flies. Grass species and residue treatment strongly affected the number of reproductive tillers and levels of silvertop. Levels of silvertop were lowest in creeping bentgrass in all 3 yr of the study, while they were similar for Kentucky bluegrass and creeping red fescue. Mown plots had fewer reproductive tillers, fewer heathy seed heads, and higher levels of silvertop than burned or clipped plots. However, arthropod species composition was generally similar across grass species and residue treatments. This indicates that a specific arthropod taxon may not be a critical factor in silvertop expression. The relationship between the number and composition of arthropods found and incidence of silvertop is discussed. Key words: Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Poa pratensis, Agrostis palustris, seed production, arthropods, silvertop

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