Carbohydrate content, characterization and localization in bermudagrass stolons during establishment

Abstract

Turfgrasses are continuously exposed to a wide range of detrimental stresses, such as mowing, traffic, low or high temperatures, salinity, drought, UV, hypoxia etc. Plant responses to stimuli involve nearly every aspect of plant physiology and metabolism. Carbohydrates, primary sucrose and starch, as principal metabolic products of photosynthesis, are stored in bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in stolons and rhizomes. Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) levels have been used as indicators of health and physiological status in bermudagrass. TNC levels vary during the year and are weakly affected by N source. Establishment is a critical phase of bermudagrass management. The objectives of this research were to assess and characterize stolon carbohydrate content in nine bermudagrass cultivars during the full establishment phase in relation to establishment rates. Morphological and growth analyses showed distinct properties among the cultivars selected for this study. Significant differences in turf coverage among cultivars on each rating date were present starting from early growth stages. Carbohydrates localization was used to differentiate bermudagrass cultivars. The relationships between different carbohydrates and their role on growth were also explored. Gradients along the stolon from tip to older internodes were evident for starch. Our study provides further insight into bermudagrass physiology, with cultivar differences in carbohydrates production and localization providing valuable selection information for turfgrass breeders and practitioners, especially during the first year. Our data indicate that TNC levels were affected by cultivar and stolon maturity level. TNC content was found to correlate with establishment rate.