2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): Carbohydrate Partitioning in Creeping Bentgrass as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilization and a Plant Growth Regulator.
Start | Author Index

564-3 Carbohydrate Partitioning in Creeping Bentgrass as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilization and a Plant Growth Regulator.



Monday, 6 October 2008
George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall E
Dipayan Sarkar, University of Massachusetts, Dept. of Plant Soil and Insect Sciences, 16 Stockbridge Hall, Dept. of Plant Soil and Insect Sciences, Amherst, MA 01002, Prasanta Bhowmik, Stockbridge Hall, PO Box 37245, University of Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003 and Michelle DaCosta, University of Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts, Dept of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences, 11 Stockbridge Hall, 80 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003
Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) in turfgrasses is a valuable indicator of assimilate translocation and physiological responses to management practices and environmental conditions. Allocation of TNC in turfgrass roots, crown, and shoots dictate their performance under stress conditions. Furthermore, TNC content can be influenced by different turfgrass management practices, such as nitrogen fertilization and application of plant growth regulator (Trinexapac ethyl-TE). However, limited information is available on the effects of N fertility and plant growth regulators (TE) on TNC distribution in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of N fertilization and TE on TNC partitioning of creeping bentgrass (cv. Penncross). The field study was initiated in the spring of 2006 on a 4-yr-old sand based putting green. This experiment was arranged as a split-plot design, with nitrogen fertilization as the main plot (13.63, 22.72, and 36.36 kg N ha-1 year-1) and TE as the sub-plot (with and without TE) with four replications. Nitrogen was applied monthly from May to October, and TE (Primo Maxx) was applied in three applications from April to August (0.47 kg a.i. ha-1). Root and shoot samples were collected from each plot at 15-d intervals and analyzed for TNC content. Higher visual turf quality (8.5 to 9) was observed with increasing nitrogen rate and 3 to 8 days after the each application of TE. Nitrogen fertilization and TE both significantly influenced TNC of turfgrass shoots, but neither of these cultural practices had any significant effect on TNC content of turfgrass roots in our study. The moderate and low N levels (22.72, and 13.63 kg N ha-1 year-1) resulted in higher shoot TNC content during spring and fall compared to higher N level (36.36 kg N ha-1 year-1).
See more of: Graduate Student Poster Competition: II. Diseases, Genetics, Physiology and Technology (Posters)
See more of: C05 Turfgrass Science