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Postharvest Cultural Practices Affecting the Rooting of Kentucky Bluegrass Sods Grown on Organic and Mineral Soils 1
Author(s) -
King J. W.,
Beard J. B.
Publication year - 1972
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/agronj1972.00021962006400030001x
Subject(s) - transplanting , agronomy , loam , soil water , irrigation , topsoil , fertilizer , subsoil , biology , environmental science , chemistry , horticulture , sowing , soil science
The effects of sod type, fertilizer placement, underlying soil type, soil moisture, sod harvest depth, and the postharvest irrigation rate on the transplant rooting capability were investigated. Market‐quality Merion Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) sod, grown on organic and mineral soils, was transplanted to grass‐faced root observation boxes. Root production data and counts of roots visible on the glass face were collected. Harvesting sod at a standard 2‐cm depth of cut was superior to 1‐cm in terms of root growth after transplanting. The 1‐cmthick sod was more prone to desiccation injury. Transplanting sod onto sandy loam topsoil of a 1:1 topsoilsubsoil mix resulted in increased root production compared to a clay loam subsoil. Transplanting sod to a dry soil resulted in delayed rooting. No difference in root production between soil‐incorporated and sod surface fertilizer placement was found in these short‐term studies. Sod grown on organic soil produced more roots in 16 to 24 days following transplanting than sod grown on mineral soil. Transplant sod rooting was impared during the May‐June period of extensive seedhead development.