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Nitrogen Uptake and Leaching under Annual Bluegrass Ecotypes and Bentgrass Species: A Lysimeter Experiment
Author(s) -
Paré K.,
Chantigny M. H.,
Carey K.,
Johnston W. J.,
Dionne J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2005.07.0200
Subject(s) - lysimeter , leaching (pedology) , poa annua , agronomy , fertilizer , ecotype , ammonium , agrostis , nitrogen , biology , ammonium nitrate , poaceae , environmental science , horticulture , botany , chemistry , soil water , ecology , organic chemistry
Nitrate (NO 3 − ) can leach from golf greens, potentially causing the degradation of surface and ground water quality. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with 11 annual bluegrass ( Poa annua var. reptans Hausskn.) ecotypes from eastern Canada (Quebec and Ontario) and the USA, and three bentgrass ( Agrostis spp.) species to compare N uptake and potential for N leaching. Two‐month‐old grasses were established for a 6‐wk period in lysimeter columns simulating a golf‐green profile. An unplanted root zone control was included. Water‐soluble fertilizer was applied at 25 kg N ha −1 (NH 4 NO 3 ) every 14 d for 57 d. Leachate samples were collected every second day and analyzed for NO 3 –N and ammonium N (NH 4 –N) content. Dry weight and N concentration were determined on clippings, shoots, and roots. Ammonium N leaching was negligible for all grasses. Less NO 3 –N leaching losses occurred under bentgrasses (6–11% of applied N) than under annual bluegrasses (28–71% of applied N). Differences in NO 3 –N leaching were also found within annual bluegrasses; Quebec P. annua > Ontario P. annua > USA P. annua Grasses with a greater aboveground biomass developed a larger and deeper root system and were associated with a greater N uptake ( r = 0.94) and, therefore, a lower NO 3 –N leaching ( r = −0.94). Breeding programs and management practices to improve turfgrass root development appear to be critical to reduce fertilizer N leaching under sand‐based putting greens.