Biodiversity of the projected zakaznyk «Govorunivsky»

According to the results of the field researches, the state of the natural complexes of the territory (about 140 hectares) within the Yampil administrative district of Sumy region is characterized, the expediency of creation of a landscape reserve of the local value "Govorunovsky" in the studied territory is determined. Based on the analysis of flora and vegetation, it has been established that most of the territory of the proposed reserve is occupied by peaty meadows dominated by Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv and a number of typical meadow and meadow-swamp species. They are also growing here Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., Lysimachia vulgaris L., Veratrum lobelianum Bernh., Cicuta virosa L., Alopecurus pratensis L., Festuca pratensis Huds., Juncus conglomeratus L., Carex hirta L., Ranunculus acris L., Achillea submillefolium Klok. et Krytzka, Epilobium palustre L., Geum urbanum L., Galium mollugo L., Stellaria graminea L., Potentilla anserina L., Humulus lupulus L. In the more dry areas which are strip-shaped along the northern boundary of the projected reserve and, accordingly, the pine forest, grassy groups formed with the dominance of Agrostis canina L. or Nardus stricta L. It is noted that quite active natural restoration of tree species, such as Pinus sylvestris L., Betula pendula Roth, Pyrus communis L., occurs throughout the area of the proposed reserve. It has been shown that the sozological value of the reserve lies in the presence of typical for the floodplains of small rivers of Polissya natural complexes, as well as the presence in the flora of the species of the Red Book of Ukraine ‒ Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soo, a number of valuable medicinal plants (Valeriana exaltata J. C. Mikan, Sanquisorba officinalis L., Achillea submillefolium Klock. et Krytzka, Mentha arvensis L., Thymus marschallianus Willd., Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch. etc.).

Proteomic Responses during Cold Acclimation in Association with Freezing Tolerance of Velvet Bentgrass

Cold acclimation improves freezing tolerance in various plants, including perennial grass species. The objectives of this study were to determine protein changes in crowns of velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina) during cold acclimation in association with freezing tolerance. Treatments consisted of: 1) nonacclimated (NA) plants maintained at 18/12 °C (day/night); 2) plants acclimated at a constant 2 °C for 4 weeks with a 10-hour photoperiod [A4 (cold acclimation)]; and 3) plants acclimated at a constant 2 °C for 4 weeks with additional subzero acclimation (SZA) at a constant –2 °C for 2 weeks (A4 + SZA2). Exposing plants to A4 significantly increased freezing tolerance, but additional SZA had no further beneficial effects on freezing tolerance, as demonstrated by the lethal temperature for 50% of the test population (LT50). Thirteen protein spots with increased abundance (up-regulated) or with decreased abundance (down-regulated) during cold acclimation were identified for biological functions. Proteins up-regulated after cold acclimation (A4 or A4 + SZA2) included methionine synthase, serine hydroxymethyltransferase, aconitase, UDP-D-glucuronate decarboxylase, and putative glycine-rich protein. Cold acclimation-responsive proteins involved in amino acid metabolism, energy production, stress defense, and secondary metabolism could contribute to the improved freezing tolerance induced by cold acclimation in velvet bentgrass.

Velvet Bentgrass and Creeping Bentgrass Growth, Rooting, and Quality with Different Root Zone Media and Fertility Regimes

Two complementary greenhouse studies were conducted to examine the effects of different root zones and fertilization regimes on ‘SR7200' velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.) and L-93 creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). In the first study, in which only velvet bentgrass was studied, peat content in the root zone mixture contributed significantly to initial establishment of this species and high seeding rates increased cumulative shoot dry weight early in establishment but became less significant as the turfgrass matured. Higher phosphorus rates contributed to increased cumulative shoot dry weight over the first 4 weeks of the experiment. Nitrogen rate was the most significant factor positively affecting both cumulative shoot dry weight and turfgrass quality. In the second experiment with both velvet bentgrass and creeping bentgrass, nitrogen rate significantly increased turfgrass quality when measured at Week 5, halfway through the experiment. Over time, however, turf growth and quality were negatively impacted in both species with increasing nitrogen rates. Root zone composition had a significant effect on initial establishment of both bentgrasses with greater peat content leading to higher quality early on. Cumulative shoot dry weight increased with increasing nitrogen rate but at higher rates, there was a concomitant decrease in root production.

Evaluation of Alternative Turfgrass Species for Low-input Golf Course Fairways

As restrictions on water use, fertilization, and pesticide applications continue to increase, golf course superintendents will need to use grass species that require reduced inputs. The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative turfgrass species under low-input fairways conditions. In 2005, 17 species were established on native soil in St. Paul, MN. Each species was evaluated at three levels of traffic (zero, three, or six passes per week using a drum-type traffic simulator) and two mowing heights (1.90 and 2.54 cm). Data collected included turfgrass quality and percent living stand density. In 2006, velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.), and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) maintained acceptable quality in all treatment combinations. In 2007, Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. fallax) and sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) were the top-performing species regardless of treatment. Hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey) performed poorly in Year 1 and well in Year 2. All other species did not perform at an acceptable level during the study. The results of this study indicate that sheep fescue, Chewings fescue, colonial bentgrass, and velvet bentgrass should be studied further for use on low-input golf course fairways in the northern United States.

Velvet and Creeping Bentgrass Tolerance to Fenoxaprop

The tolerance of velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.) to the herbicide fenoxaprop is not known. In greenhouse experiments velvet bentgrass cultivars SR7200 and Vesper had a much greater degree of tolerance to fenoxaprop at rates ranging from 0.01 to 0.30 kg·ha-1 relative to L-93 creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). SR7200 and Vesper were tolerant to fenoxaprop at 0.15 kg·ha-1 or lower and growth reductions did not exceed 10% at the highest fenoxaprop rate of 0.30 kg·ha-1. In contrast, growth reduction of L-93 creeping bentgrass was evident at the lowest application of fenoxaprop at 0.01 kg·ha-1 and increased as fenoxaprop rates increased, reaching as high 58% at 0.30 kg·ha-1. Field experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 to compare the tolerance of established SR7200 velvet bentgrass and Penn A-4 creeping bentgrass maintained at 3.2 mm to three sequential applications at 21 day intervals of fenoxaprop at 0.02, 0.04, and 0.07 kg·ha-1. Turf quality of SR7200 was equal to the untreated following all fenoxaprop applications except the third sequential application at 0.07 kg·ha-1. Penn A-4 turf quality was consistently reduced compared to the untreated following fenoxaprop applications of 0.04 and 0.07 kg·ha-1. Turf density of SR7200 was not affected by three sequential applications of fenoxaprop at 0.02 and 0.04 kg·ha-1 but was reduced by 8% at 0.07 kg·ha-1. Penn A-4 turf density was reduced by 10 and 33% following three sequential applications of fenoxaprop at 0.04 and 0.07 kg·ha-1, respectively. Results from these studies showed that the velvet bentgrass cultivars were more tolerant to fenoxaprop, compared to the creeping bentgrass cultivars evaluated. Chemical names used: (+)-ethyl2-[4-[(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl)oxy]p henoxy] propanoate (fenoxaprop). 3,5-pyridinedicarbothioic acid, 2-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-S,S-dimethylester (dithiopyr).