Search Results
Establishment of seeded `Zenith' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) in an existing sward of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is difficult, and chemicals arising from perennial ryegrass leaf and root tissue may contribute to establishment failure. Experiments were done to evaluate zoysiagrass emergence and growth in soil amended with perennial ryegrass leaves or roots, or after irrigation with water in which perennial ryegrass leaves or roots had previously been soaked. Compared to unamended soil, soil amended with perennial ryegrass leaves at 12% and 23% by weight reduced zoysiagrass seedling number 20% and 26%, respectively; root area and mass were reduced 50% when amendments comprised 12% of soil weight. Similar reductions in zoysiagrass seedling emergence and growth were observed in a second soil amendment study, regardless of whether perennial ryegrass was treated with glyphosate or not. Soil mixed with perennial ryegrass leaves, but not roots, at 12% by weight had a high soil conductivity (5.1 dS·m–1), which could have contributed to reduced zoysiagrass emergence and growth. More than 50% fewer zoysiagrass seedlings emerged and root mass was up to 65% lower when irrigated with water in which perennial ryegrass leaves or roots at 5, 10, or 20 g·L–1 were previously soaked for 48 hours. Zoysiagrass leaf area, and root length and area, were also lower when irrigated with water previously containing perennial ryegrass roots. Perennial ryegrass leaves and roots have the capacity to inhibit emergence and growth of `Zenith' zoysiagrass seedlings, which could negatively affect stand establishment.
The relative drought resistance of turf-type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars compared to forage-type cultivars has not been well-documented. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted between 1991 and 1994 to determine rooting potential and drought response of a slow-growing, turf-type tall fescue (`MlC18'), a turf-type cultivar with a moderate growth rate (`Mustang'), and a forage-type cultivar (`Kentucky-31'). In the greenhouse, rooting was determined in sand or calcined clay using clear, polyethylene root tubes 4 cm in diameter by 122 cm deep. Root length density (RLD) was measured for 0- to 30-, 30- to 60-, 60- to 90-, and 90- to 120-cm depths. No differences were observed in RLD at the 0- to 30-cm depth. At other depths, RLD of `Mustang” was generally superior to that of `K-31' and `MlC18'. During a 3-week dry-down in the field in 1994, `MlC18' exhibited greater drought stress and a higher canopy minus air temperature than other cultivars. Advantages afforded by reduced mowing of slow-growing tall fescue cultivars may be negated by reduced drought resistance.
Textbook recommendations suggest that turf should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage drought resistance. Data supporting this recommendation are lacking, however. Studies were done to determine the influence of irrigation frequency on `Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) rooting and drought resistance. Turf was established on a silt loam soil in 27-cm-diameter by 92-cm-deep containers in the greenhouse. Irrigation was performed daily or at the onset of wilt with a water volume equal to daily or cumulative evapotranspiration of well-watered turf in small weighing lysimeters. After 90 days of irrigation treatments, a dry-down was imposed during which no additional water was applied for >50 days. Compared to turf irrigated daily, turf watered at the onset of wilt exhibited: i) lower (more-negative) leaf water and osmotic potentials prior to the onset of drought; ii) higher leaf water potential and better turf quality at the end of dry-down; and iii) deeper rooting as indicated by lower soil moisture content at 50- and 70-cm depths at the end of dry down.
`Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) was established on a silt loam soil in 27-cm-diameter × 92-cm-deep containers in a greenhouse to investigate the influence of irrigation frequency on turfgrass rooting and drought tolerance. Turf was irrigated daily or at the onset of leaf rolling with a water volume equal to the cumulative evapotranspiration of well-watered turf in small weighing lysimeters. After >90 days of irrigation treatments, a dry-down was imposed during which no additional water was applied for 55 days. A recovery period followed during which time turf was watered to maintain soil matric potential at greater than –30 kPa. Compared to turf irrigated daily, that watered at the onset of leaf rolling exhibited 1) 32% to 36% lower leaf water potential and 14% to 22% lower osmotic potential before the onset of drought; 2) 13% higher leaf water potential ≈40 days into dry-down; 3) more extensive rooting at 55- and 75-cm soil depths as indicated by 11% to 19% lower volumetric soil moisture content at the end of dry-down; 4) 25% to 40% lower shoot growth rate during irrigation and 13% to 33% higher shoot growth rate during dry-down; and 5) higher quality ratings during dry-down and recovery. Thus, deep, infrequent irrigation better prepares zoysiagrass for an oncoming drought than light, frequent irrigation.
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine if the rate of ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) establishment and spread could be enhanced when plugs were introduced into plant growth regulator-(PGR) treated Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) turfs. During the first growing season, PGR treatment made little difference in zoysiagrass spread. Zoysiagrass coverage in perennial ryegrass treated with mefluidide (57%) or amidochlor (63%) was significantly greater than in ryegrass treated with ethephon (47%) or the untreated control (48%) by the end of the 2nd year. Enhanced zoysiagrass spread in perennial ryegrass treated with mefluidide and amidochlor was attributed to stand thinning resulting from PGR phytotoxicity and environmental stress in the first year. Zoysiagrass coverage in Kentucky bluegrass was greatest in mefluidide-treated plots, but the increase over the control was only 6%. Flurprimidol slowed the establishment of zoysiagrass in both cool season turfs. Chemical names used: [(N-[(acetylamino)methyl]-2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethyl phenyl)acetamide (amidochlor); (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon); α-(l-methylethyl)-α-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol (flurprimidol); and N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amino]phenyl]acetamide (mefluidide).
Abstract
Little research has been conducted to determine the influence of fertilizer sources and rates on zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) establishment. Our objectives were to determine the influence of slow-release N sources, water-soluble N from urea, and N, P, and K combinations on rate of zoysiagrass establishment. Prior to field planting of zoysiagrass plugs, N rates of 98, 196, and 392 kg·ha-1 from ureaformaldehyde (UF, 38N-0P-0K), isobutylidine diurea (IBDU, 31N-0P-0K, and a composted sewage sludge (1.0N-0.9P-0.2K) were incorporated into a soil with existing high P (193 kg·ha-1) and intermediate K levels (86 kg·ha-1). In a separate study nitrogen from urea (46N-0P-0K, 195 kg·ha-1), P from treble superphosphate (0N-19P-0K, 126 kg·ha-1) and K from muriate of potash (0N-0P-32K, 103 kg·ha-1) also were incorporated before planting. Five months after planting, none of the slow-release N sources or N-P-K combinations had enhanced coverage of the zoysiagrass. No additional fertilizer was applied in the 2nd year. Although statistically significant differences were found among treatments by the end of the 2nd growing season, the actual increases in zoysiagrass coverage provided by the fertilizers were no greater than 5% more than the unfertilized zoysiagrass. In a 3rd study, N (49 kg·ha-1) from urea, applied as a topdressing either once, four, or seven times annually, resulted in a negative linear [coverage = 63.8 − 0.02 (kg N/ha per year), r 2 = 0.57] response in zoysiagrass coverage the initial year, but not in the 2nd year. Nitrogen from urea (49 kg·ha-1) applied bimonthly or monthly the 2nd year had a greater beneficial effect on zoysiagrass growth than topdressing or preplant incorporation of N the initial year.
Stolons of `Raleigh', `Floratam', and FX-332 St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] were sampled from the field between October and March in two consecutive years to evaluate accuracy of an electrolyte leakage (EL) method for predicting freezing tolerance. Lethal temperatures of stolons estimated using EL were compared to those obtained by regrowth tests in the greenhouse. Mean lethal low temperatures for regrowth and EL methods over 12 sampling dates were `Floratam', –4.5C (regrowth) vs. –4.4C (EL); FX-332, –4.2C (regrowth) vs. –4.9C (EL); and `Raleigh', –6.0C (regrowth) vs. –5.4C (EL). A positive correlation (r = 0.81) was observed between EL-predicted and regrowth lethal temperatures for `Raleigh', which exhibited some acclimation during the first sampling year. The EL technique consistently predicted a lower lethal temperature for `Raleigh' than for `Floratam', which corroborates field observations concerning freezing tolerance of these two cultivars.
`Floratam' St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] stolons were sampled from the field between October and March to determine potential changes in lethal low temperatures and nonstructural carbohydrate composition. Lethal temperatures determined by electrolyte leakage ranged from – 6.1 to – 5.3C. Little variability in lethal temperatures over sampling dates indicated that `Floratam' St. Augustinegrass did not readily acclimate to cold temperatures. Starch was the carbohydrate present in highest concentration in `Floratam' stolons, with levels ranging from 7.7 to 12.4 mg/100 mg dry weight. Sucrose concentrations varied from 2.4 to 5.7 mg/100 mg dry weight. Glucose and fructose were also present in `Floratam' stolons at lower concentrations. A slight increase in sucrose and decrease in starch were observed between November and December, when low temperatures resulted in chlorophyll loss and turf was <25% green. On all other sampling dates, changes in sucrose and starch were variable. Changes in concentration of total nonstructural carbohydrates or soluble sugars did not seem to influence the freezing resistance of `Floratam' St. Augustinegrass.
Little is known about intraspecific variability in St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] freezing tolerance and the physiological factors that may influence survival. Stolons of field-grown `Raleigh', `Floratam', and FX-332 St. Augustinegrass were sampled between October and March in 1990 to 1991 and 1991 to 1992 to measure freezing tolerance, nonstructural carbohydrates, and water content. Stolons were exposed to temperatures between 1 and -8C in a freezer, and regrowth was evaluated in the greenhouse. Generally, freezing tolerance of `Raleigh' > `Floratam' = FX-332. `Raleigh' exhibited >60% survival in December and January, while survival of `Floratam' and FX-332 was <20%. `Raleigh' was the only cultivar that acclimated, as indicated by a 75% increase in survival between October and December 1990. Starch and sucrose were the primary storage carbohydrates extracted from stolons, but neither was correlated with freezing tolerance. A negative (r = -0.80) correlation was observed between `Raleigh' survival and stolon water content between January and March 1991. Reduced water content in `Raleigh' stolons during winter months may contribute to acclimation.
‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steudel) is commonly planted on home lawns and golf courses in the transition zone; however, poor shade tolerance limits its widespread use. This study was conducted to determine changes and differences in growth among selected Zoysia cultivars and progeny under a natural shade environment over a 3-year period in the transition zone. The study was initiated in June 2010 at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS. Soil type was a Chase silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Aquic, Argiudoll). Zoysia genotypes were sodded in 0.37-m2 plots and arranged in a randomized complete block with five replications under silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) shade that resulted in a 91% reduction in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Genotypes included ‘Zorro’ [Z. matrella (L.) Merrill], ‘Emerald’ [Z. japonica × Z. pacifica (Goudswaard) Hotta & Kuroki], ‘Meyer’, Chinese Common (Z. japonica), and experimental progeny Exp1 (Z. matrella × Z. japonica), and Exp2 and Exp3 [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica]. ‘Zorro’ and ‘Emerald’ experienced winter injury, which negatively affected their performance. Tiller numbers decreased 47% in ‘Meyer’ from June 2010 to June 2012, but declines in [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica] progeny were only 1% for Exp2 and 27% for Exp3, and both Exp2 and Exp3 maintained high percent green cover throughout the study. In general, by the third year of evaluation, progeny of [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica] had higher quality ratings and higher tiller numbers than ‘Meyer’ and may provide more shade-tolerant cultivar choices for transition zone turf managers.