Nitrogen source and timing effect on carbohydrate status of bermudagrass and tall fescue
dc.contributor.author | Goldsby, Anthony Lee | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2008-12-19T14:32:36Z | |
dc.date.available | 2008-12-19T14:32:36Z | |
dc.date.graduationmonth | December | en |
dc.date.issued | 2008-12-19T14:32:36Z | |
dc.date.published | 2008 | en |
dc.description.abstract | Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) are important for plant health and recovery from stress. Controlled-release N sources may moderate turfgrass vegetative growth, thereby maximizing NSC levels. Three studies were conducted to determine the effect of N source/timing on NSC levels, turfgrass visual quality, and color of ‘Midlawn’ bermudagrass and turf-type tall fescue. Additionally, the effect on low temperature tolerance of bermudagrass and brown patch incidence on tall fescue was investigated. Nitrogen sources included two polymer-coated ureas (PCU), a polymer-sulfur coated urea (SCU) and urea formaldehyde (UF). Total annual N was applied in either late summer or spring for bermudagrass, and either late summer or split between late summer and spring for tall fescue. Urea, applied at traditional timings, was a control in all studies. NSC status was determined at regular intervals by extracting two cores from each plot, defoliating, and measuring regrowth in a dark growth chamber. Turfgrass color, visual quality and brown patch incidence were rated monthly during the growing season. Bermudagrass low temperature tolerance was evaluated by subjecting plugs to a freezing regime and evaluating regrowth. Over the 2-yr study, N source did not have a significant effect on bermudagrass or tall fescue NSC levels, color, or visual quality. Timing of application, by contrast, did have a significant impact. For bermudagrass, August-applied N resulted in higher overall NSC levels and improved fall color. For tall fescue, split Sept/March applications improved color; but split Sept/ May applications reduced NSC compared to a single Sept application. Brown patch incidence was unaffected by N source or timing, though disease pressure was low. Timing of PCU application did not affect low temperature tolerance of bermudagrass, but PCU improved low temperature survival compared to urea. | en |
dc.description.advisor | Steven J. Keeley | en |
dc.description.degree | Master of Science | en |
dc.description.department | Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources | en |
dc.description.level | Masters | en |
dc.description.sponsorship | Agrium Technologies; Kansas Turfgrass Foundation | en |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2097/1088 | |
dc.language.iso | en_US | en |
dc.publisher | Kansas State University | en |
dc.subject | Nitrogen | en |
dc.subject | Fertilization | en |
dc.subject | Winterkill | en |
dc.subject | Bermudagrass | en |
dc.subject | tall-fescue | en |
dc.subject | Non-Structural Carbohydrates | en |
dc.subject.umi | Agriculture, Agronomy (0285) | en |
dc.title | Nitrogen source and timing effect on carbohydrate status of bermudagrass and tall fescue | en |
dc.type | Thesis | en |