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Physiological and Color Aspects of Turfgrasses with Fall and Winter Nitrogen 1
Author(s) -
Powell A. J.,
Blaser R. E.,
Schmidt R. E.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1967.00021962005900040004x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , agronomy , respiration , winter wheat , nitrogen , human fertilization , sugar , biology , spring (device) , zoology , botany , chemistry , mechanical engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Fall and winter N fertilization was studied on bentgrass and fescue to investigate the possibility of maintaining green foliage during winter. Research also involved the effects of this N on top growth, reserve carbohydrates, and photosynthesis. Desirable turf color was maintained throughout the winter in Virginia latitudes without adverse physiological changes. Green foliage during winter was not the result of residual color from fall but was induced even during the coldest periods of winter. Although no measurable top growth occurred during winter, turf fertilized with high N was very dense. Reserve carbohydrates generally increased from fall to winter and then decreased slowly until spring when there were sharp declines. Stem carbohydrates varied from 44% dry matter in late fall or winter to 5% in spring. More carbohydrates were found in stems than in leaves and similar trends for sugar occurred in both separates. Higher N rates generally lowered the available carbohydrates, but the opposite was found with certain winter conditions. With determinations made on five dates, net photosynthesis appeared to be higher during winter than spring or summer; however, dark respiration increased with temperatures. Photosynthetic and respiration rates during winter or spring were increased with N fertilization.