Lateral Spread and Dry Matter Partitioning of Creeping Bentgrass Cultivars

Abstract

ABSTRACTCreeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) cultivars are available that possess varying vegetative characteristics. A better understanding of the vegetative growth among creeping bentgrass cultivars is essential to its culture and would aid breeders in selecting for improved turf characteristics in germplasm screening programs. Our objectives were to identify differences in establishment rates among cultivars of creeping bentgrass and to determine the factors associated with differing growth rates by using growth analysis techniques. Spaced plantings of 24 cultivars of creeping bentgrass were evaluated for stolon characteristics and lateral spread. Two cultivars with differing lateral spread were used for further growth analysis in a growth chamber. ‘Penncross’ exhibited greater lateral spread and longer internodes compared with recently developed cultivars. ‘Bengal’ had the slowest lateral spread and the shortest mean stolon and internode length. Internode and stolon length were positively correlated as well as internode length and establishment rate indicating that cultivars with long internodes also possess fast establishment rates and longer stolons. Growth analysis indicated that Penncross and Bengal produce similar amounts of dry matter but Penncross allocates more dry matter into stolons than leaves. Variation in dry matter partitioning could partially explain differences in lateral spread among cultivars of creeping bentgrass. The vegetative characteristics should be matched with desired site usage requirements for optimum performance when selecting cultivars of creeping bentgrass.