Seed Coating and Seeding Rate Effects on Turfgrass Germination and Establishment

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

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.43.2.509 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 509-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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)

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Turf Species Affects Establishment and Growth of Redbud and Pecan

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.42.2.267 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 267-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jason J. Griffin ◽

William R. Reid ◽

Dale J. Bremer

Keyword(s):

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Resource Competition ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Warm Season ◽

Net Photosynthesis ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Root Weight ◽

Cool Season

Establishment and growth of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) and pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] were studied where soil surfaces were either covered with each of three common turfgrass species or maintained free of vegetation by the use of an herbicide or an organic mulch layer. Turf species included two cool-season grasses, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and the warm-season bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. After two growing seasons, tree caliper of both species was 100% greater in turf-free plots compared with trees in the cool-season grass plots. Root weight of pecans increased nearly 200% when turf was eliminated, and redbud root weight increased nearly 300%. Top weight of redbuds increased 300% and pecans increased 200% when turf was eliminated. Total leaf weight of both species was 300% greater in the turf-free plots, and leaf area increased 200% in both species. Net photosynthesis of redbud trees tended to be higher in the plots without turfgrass, and cool-season grasses inhibited photosynthesis to a greater extent than the warm-season grass. Foliar tissue analysis revealed that nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) were the only elements that increased in concentration when turf was eliminated. However, nutrient concentrations in all treatments were within recommended standard ranges. The results suggest that landscape tree establishment and growth are greatly inhibited by the presence of cool-season turfgrasses and that the inhibition may be more complicated than resource competition.

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Alkalinity Showed Limited Effect on Turfgrass Germination under Low to Moderate Salinity

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.9.1201 ◽

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.

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

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.11.1454 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (11) ◽

pp. 1454-1460 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

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.

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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.

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

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p01-126 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 82 (4) ◽

pp. 687-692 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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

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Physiological Basis for Metamifop Selectivity on Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) in Cool-Season Turfgrasses

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-15-00107.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 12-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Patrick E. McCullough ◽

Jialin Yu ◽

Mark A. Czarnota ◽

Paul L. Raymer

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Experiments ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Retention Factor ◽

Creeping Bentgrass ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Shoot Biomass ◽

Cool Season ◽

Physiological Basis ◽

Eleusine Indica ◽

Treated Leaf

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.

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Month of Seeding Effect on Low-Input Establishment of Cool- and Warm-Season Turfgrasses in Continental Transition Zone

Atlas Journal of Biology ◽

10.5147/ajb.v2i3.27 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 162-170

Author(s):

Kenneth Lynn Diesburg ◽

Ronald F. Krausz

Keyword(s):

Transition Zone ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Warm Season ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass ◽

Percent Cover ◽

Cool Season ◽

Low Input

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.

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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.

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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).

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