Genetic diversity of Kentucky bluegrass genotypes in morphological, agronomic, and abiotic stress tolerance characteristics

Abstract

OF THE DISSERTATION Genetic Diversity of Kentucky bluegrass in Morphological, Agronomic, and Abiotic Stress Tolerance Characteristics By ROBERT R. SHORTELL Dissertation Director: Stacy A. Bonos Ph.D. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is a perennial turfgrass species that is widely adapted to many distinct environments. Kentucky bluegrass reproduces through an asexual process called apomixis, resulting in many unique and distinctly different cultivars with specific niche uses. Therefore it is important to quantify and classify the broad range of adaptations within this species. The objectives of this study were to: i. Classify Kentucky bluegrass genotypes based on morphological and agronomic traits and determine their inheritance patterns, ii. Evaluate the range of variability Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections exhibit in response to a novel annual bluegrass control, bispyribac-sodium herbicide, iii. Determine the effects of fertilizer on the response of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections to bispyribac-sodium herbicide, and iv. Evaluate the diversity of Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and selections in their rooting ability under heat stress. To do this a number of experiments were designed between the summers of 2004 and 2008 at the Rutgers University Plant Science Research Farms in Adelphia and New Brunswick, NJ. There is variation in morphological and agronomic