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TURFGRASS SCIENCE

Flurprimidol Effects on Kentucky Bluegrass under Reduced Irradiance

^a Dep. of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706-1590 USA
^b Dep. of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1325 USA

jstier{at}facstaff.wisc.edu

Turf management in shaded conditions is difficult in part because the reduced irradiance causes excessive shoot elongation, reduced tillering and root growth, and weak plants exceptionally prone to damage. Successful installation of natural grass athletic fields in covered or shaded stadia require improved management procedures. The objective of this study was to determine if flurprimidol [-(1-=-methylethyl)--[(trifluourmethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol], a gibberellic acid (GA)-biosynthesis inhibitor, could be used to increase turf quality for athletic fields in covered stadia and other reduced irradiance situations. Portable plots of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were established outdoors and moved inside a covered-stadium simulator facility (CSSF). Four rates of flurprimidol (0.56, 1.12, 1.68, and 2.80 kg ha^-1) were compared against a control. Studies were conducted under ambient (equivalent to 2–3% full summer sunlight) and supplemental (equivalent to 9–18% full summer sunlight) irradiance. The turf was evaluated with and without simulated soccer traffic. Under ambient irradiance conditions, turf quality generally declined to unacceptable levels within 30 d, although the low rate of flurprimidol extended this period for up to 60 d. Supplemental irradiance provided turf of acceptable quality for up to 70 d and the low rate of flurprimidol extended this period for >100 d. Applications repeated within 30 to 40 d virtually stopped measurable shoot growth under all irradiance and traffic regimes. Flurprimidol did not affect turf shear resistance or rooting but did increase tillering. Low rates of flurprimidol should be useful for maintaining turf in reduced irradiance conditions because turf quality is enhanced with minimal risk of phytotoxicity.

Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance • CSSF, covered-stadium simulator facility • GA, gibberellic acid • HPS, high pressure Na • PAR, photosynthetically active radiation • PGR, plant growth regulator • PPFD, photosynthetic photon flux density • RH, relative humidity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Steinke and J. C. Stier Nitrogen Selection and Growth Regulator Applications for Improving Shaded Turf Performance Crop Sci., July 1, 2003; 43(4): 1399 - 1406. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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