Articles
UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES OF TURFGRASS
Article number
762_6
Pages
63 – 80
Language
English
Abstract
Shade, cold and heat are the three primary non-edaphic environmental stresses of turfgrasses which limit their potential habitats.
Certain management techniques, when combined with the proper species or varieties, can mitigate the impact of environmental stresses.
Lack of heat stress tolerance limits the zone of adaptation of C3 grasses such as Agrostis palustris and Lolium perenne as photosynthate production is diminished while respiratory demand is increased.
Photosynthetic enzyme function, particularly Rubisco, is a limiting factor for heat stress tolerance in C3 grasses.
C4 grasses utilize a photosynthesis system with enzymes adapted for high temperatures.
Protein production and viability are also reduced in C3 grasses under supraoptimal temperatures but heat shock proteins produced in response to high temperatures may help C3 grasses survive supraoptimal temperatures.
While some attempts have been made to cool the turf microclimate using fans and other devices, simply maintaining the turf at its optimal mowing height range can markedly improve heat stress tolerance of C3 grasses.
Lack of cold tolerance limits the use of C4 grasses such as Cynodon and Paspalum spp. to tropical or subtropical regions.
The photosynthetic enzyme systems that enable their heat tolerance are a limiting factor for C4 turfgrass survival in colder climates.
Grasses adapted to cool or cold temperatures are able to alter their morphology and/or physiology during a cold acclimation period in order to maximize hardiness.
An increase in unsaturated lipid content helps maintain membrane fluidity during cold temperatures while reduction of plant water potential protects against freezing injury.
However, even C3 turfgrasses may be injured or killed by freezing temperatures if they deacclimate prior to a freezing event.
A significant amount of turf area is subjected to shade.
Turfgrasses are sun-plants and not adapted to shaded conditions.
Buildings and trees may cause sufficient shading such that turfgrass growth and development are impaired.
Reduced nitrogen fertility and application of gibberellic acid biosynthesis inhibitors enhance turf survival in shade.
Species such as Agrostis palustris grow best in shade when liquid nitrogen fertilizer is applied as a foliar treatment while root-absorbed, granular nitrogen fertilizers are better for Poa pratensis. With any of the three stresses, maximizing total nonstructural carbohydrates through good management practices will help turf survive the stress.
Certain management techniques, when combined with the proper species or varieties, can mitigate the impact of environmental stresses.
Lack of heat stress tolerance limits the zone of adaptation of C3 grasses such as Agrostis palustris and Lolium perenne as photosynthate production is diminished while respiratory demand is increased.
Photosynthetic enzyme function, particularly Rubisco, is a limiting factor for heat stress tolerance in C3 grasses.
C4 grasses utilize a photosynthesis system with enzymes adapted for high temperatures.
Protein production and viability are also reduced in C3 grasses under supraoptimal temperatures but heat shock proteins produced in response to high temperatures may help C3 grasses survive supraoptimal temperatures.
While some attempts have been made to cool the turf microclimate using fans and other devices, simply maintaining the turf at its optimal mowing height range can markedly improve heat stress tolerance of C3 grasses.
Lack of cold tolerance limits the use of C4 grasses such as Cynodon and Paspalum spp. to tropical or subtropical regions.
The photosynthetic enzyme systems that enable their heat tolerance are a limiting factor for C4 turfgrass survival in colder climates.
Grasses adapted to cool or cold temperatures are able to alter their morphology and/or physiology during a cold acclimation period in order to maximize hardiness.
An increase in unsaturated lipid content helps maintain membrane fluidity during cold temperatures while reduction of plant water potential protects against freezing injury.
However, even C3 turfgrasses may be injured or killed by freezing temperatures if they deacclimate prior to a freezing event.
A significant amount of turf area is subjected to shade.
Turfgrasses are sun-plants and not adapted to shaded conditions.
Buildings and trees may cause sufficient shading such that turfgrass growth and development are impaired.
Reduced nitrogen fertility and application of gibberellic acid biosynthesis inhibitors enhance turf survival in shade.
Species such as Agrostis palustris grow best in shade when liquid nitrogen fertilizer is applied as a foliar treatment while root-absorbed, granular nitrogen fertilizers are better for Poa pratensis. With any of the three stresses, maximizing total nonstructural carbohydrates through good management practices will help turf survive the stress.
Authors
J.C. Stier
Keywords
heat, cold, shade, total nonstructural carbohydrates, gibberellic acid inhibitors, mowing, fertilization
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