Articles
TURF QUALITY AND GROWTH SUPPRESSION OF AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA ‘PENNA4’ WITH PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS AND VARIOUS FERTILIZER RATES
Article number
938_16
Pages
129 – 136
Language
English
Abstract
Agrostis stolonifera cultivars are the preferred turfgrass choice on Irish golf courses.
Despite this, they have high maintenance requirements.
Golf course superintendents are constantly seeking to address this issue.
One way is to apply plant growth regulators to suppress grass growth and minimise routine mowing.
Three plant growth regulators (trinexapac-ethyl, mefluidide and ethephon) were applied to an A. stolonifera turf seeded USGA specification golf green at monthly intervals from May to September, 2005 that was fertilized at one third, two thirds and recommended rates.
The results show that the level of fertilizer applied to the turf influenced leaf tissue nutrient levels and fresh and dry weight yields.
Turf treated with the highest fertilizer level had a trend for having the lowest rooting density although it was not significant.
Trinexapac-ethyl application improved the visual appearance of the turf but had no impact at reducing the clipping yield.
All plant growth regulator treatments increased the level of phosphorus in leaf tissue but had no impact on the level of other nutrients.
Rootzone pH values were unaffected by plant growth regulator application but were increased at the recommended fertilizer application rate.
Mefluidide application suppressed grass yield but produced lower visual ratings.
Ethephon promoted growth and therefore its use is not recommended.
Despite this, they have high maintenance requirements.
Golf course superintendents are constantly seeking to address this issue.
One way is to apply plant growth regulators to suppress grass growth and minimise routine mowing.
Three plant growth regulators (trinexapac-ethyl, mefluidide and ethephon) were applied to an A. stolonifera turf seeded USGA specification golf green at monthly intervals from May to September, 2005 that was fertilized at one third, two thirds and recommended rates.
The results show that the level of fertilizer applied to the turf influenced leaf tissue nutrient levels and fresh and dry weight yields.
Turf treated with the highest fertilizer level had a trend for having the lowest rooting density although it was not significant.
Trinexapac-ethyl application improved the visual appearance of the turf but had no impact at reducing the clipping yield.
All plant growth regulator treatments increased the level of phosphorus in leaf tissue but had no impact on the level of other nutrients.
Rootzone pH values were unaffected by plant growth regulator application but were increased at the recommended fertilizer application rate.
Mefluidide application suppressed grass yield but produced lower visual ratings.
Ethephon promoted growth and therefore its use is not recommended.
Authors
G. McMahon, A. Hunter
Keywords
Agrostis stolonifera, growth suppression, ethephon, mefluidide, trinexapac-ethyl, turf
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