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Prediction of Kentucky Bluegrass Root Growth Using Degree-Day Accumulation

Dep. of Horticulture, Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO 80523
Dep. of Agronomy, Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH 43210

^* Corresponding author.

The ability to predict the progression of turfgrass root formation would be of interest to both researchers and turfgrass practitioners. This capability would allow for improved evaluation of the effects that the timing of various management practices could have on turfgrass root production. The purpose of this study was to develop a model, based on accumulated degree-days (ADD) calculated from soil temperature, which could predict the accumulation of ‘Baron’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) root growth during the period of January to June. Temperature at the 10 cm depth (fine quartz sand) and cumulative root length (CRL) data collected in the rhizotron facility at The Ohio State University during 1981, 1982, and 1985 were used to develop the model. Within the confined cultural and environmental conditions of this study, the model accounted for 95% of the observed variation in CRL and the actual equation was: CRL = 5.269 + 0.032(ADD) + 0.0000138(ADD²). Under field conditions, other factors besides temperature and heat unit accumulation would be expected to display strong and independent effects on turfgrass root growth. The development of a widely usable model would include provisions for variations in edaphic conditions and for the great diversity of management practices and maintenance intensity levels which are utilized today.

Received for publication November 4, 1987.