Early Plant Development in ’Emerald’ and ‘UM67‐10’ Creeping Bentgrass

Abstract

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is used for fairway and putting green turf. Seeding takes place in late spring or early fall in Atlantic Canada. The objectives were to (i) study the effect of day length on early plant growth and development and (ii) compare plant development in high and low tillering germplasms. Individual pre-germinated seeds of ‘Emerald’ and ‘UM67-10’ were transplanted into 10-cm pots containing an 80:20 sand/peat media. Two greenhouse (GH) studies of ≥108 pots per gennplasm and two growth cabinet (GC) studies, with 16 hr and 8 hr photoperiods, and 20/15°C day/night temperatures with ≥15 pots per germplasm per run were conducted. Leaves per plant, tillers per plant, senesced leaves per plant, stolons per plant, and total leaves per plant were measured at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 d after transplanting (DAT). Stolon characters and dry weight per plant were measured at 35 DAT. Phenological development was monitored daily in the GC. Dry matter and tiller production were greater under LD. Stolon development was delayed under SD. Germplasm source influenced tillers per plant at 35DAT and stolons per plant under LD. Order of tiller appearance was predictable. Plants producing high tiller numbers generally completed a branching unit (BU) prior to growth in the next BU. High order tillers (1° and 2°) within a BU appeared prior lower order tillers. Planting under longday conditions is advantageous for growth of creeping bentgrass with the production of greater stolon mass allowing for a more durable turf.