Combining Trinexapac‐Ethyl with a Soil Surfactant Reduces Bermudagrass Irrigation Requirements

Abstract

Core Ideas We describe the use of a plant growth regulator and a soil surfactant for water conservation. We investigated whether the beneficial effects of a surfactant and a plant growth regulator on drought stressed bermudagrass were enhanced when applied in combination versus individually. We investigated if both products affect soil moisture under reduced irrigation. Soil surfactants and plant growth regulators (PGR) have shown potential to lower irrigation requirements and increase turfgrass quality under drought conditions. A study was conducted from 2014 to 2016 to investigate the soil surfactant Revolution, (modified methyl capped block copolymer [Aquatrols, Paulsboro, NJ]), or the plant growth regulator ‘PrimoMaxx’ (A.I. trinexapac‐ethyl [4‐(cyclopropylhydroxymethylene)‐3,5‐dioxocyclohexanecarboxylic acid]) (Syngenta, Basel, Switzerland), or a combination of both on percent green coverage, turfgrass color, quality, soil volumetric water content (VWC) and uniformity on Princess 77 bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) grown on a loamy sand (mixed, thermic Typic Torripsamments) and irrigated at either 80%, 65%, or 50% of reference evapotranspiration for short grass (ETOS). With the exception of plots irrigated at 50% ETos in 2015, bermudagrass receiving trinexapac‐ethyl (TE) either in combination with Revolution or alone exhibited darker green color when compared to untreated controls at all irrigation levels throughout the research period. At 50% ETos, plots treated with any of the three chemical treatments had greater quality (with 1 = worst, 9 = best) than control plots from July to September, with quality ratings of 6 or greater from June to August. Whereas VWC was not consistently enhanced by all treatment combinations, applications of Revolution, TE, and the combination of both resulted in increased VWC uniformity and greater irrigation use efficiency. Our results suggest that by using a surfactant, a PGR, or both, bermudagrass quality can be maintained with 15 to 30% less irrigation water than the optimal rate (80% ETos) without a reduction in color or quality.

Effects of Trinexapac‐Ethyl, Surfactant, and Nitrogen Fertilization on Bermudagrass Water Use

“…Soil surfactants, otherwise called “wetting agents,” such as Revolution (modified methyl capped block copolymer; Aquatrols, Paulsboro, NJ), have been commonly used to prevent localized dry spots and to increase visual quality under drought conditions (Karnok et al, 2004; Kostka, 2000; Kostka et al, 2007). It has been recently shown that Revolution improves soil moisture uniformity, especially when DI is used to irrigate turfgrass (Schiavon et al, 2014a, 2014b; Serena et al, 2018a). Moreover, Serena et al (2018a) demonstrated that the use of TE in combination with a surfactant not only improved ‘Princess 77’ bermudagrass performance but also helped sustain sufficient visual quality when irrigated at 50% ET o .…”

“…It has been recently shown that Revolution improves soil moisture uniformity, especially when DI is used to irrigate turfgrass (Schiavon et al, 2014a, 2014b; Serena et al, 2018a). Moreover, Serena et al (2018a) demonstrated that the use of TE in combination with a surfactant not only improved ‘Princess 77’ bermudagrass performance but also helped sustain sufficient visual quality when irrigated at 50% ET o . Nevertheless, no studies have investigated the combined effect of TE and surfactant using DI on bermudagrass during multiple growing seasons.…”

Drought avoidance of warm‐season turfgrasses affected by irrigation system, soil surfactant revolution, and plant growth regulator trinexapac‐ethyl

“…Additional research is needed to investigate if tank mixing both chemicals would produce a synergistic effect, improving rooting to a greater degree than when each product is applied separately. Serena et al (2018) documented that tank mixing Revolution and TE resulted in greater turf quality and green turf cover of bermudagrass than applying the products alone, but rooting and physiological data were not investigated. More research is also needed to explore the efficacy of TE in combination with reduced irrigation on stolon or rhizome production.…”

“…Soil surfactants have been used historically in the turfgrass industry to alleviate soil hydrophobicity and improve infiltration and percolation (Cisar, Willimas, Vicas, & Haydu, 2000; Karnok, Xia, & Tucker, 2004; Kostka & Bially, 2005). More recently, studies have documented the role of surfactants in water conservation (Leinauer & Devitt, 2014; Schiavon, Leinauer, Serena, Maier, & Sallenave, 2014; Serena, Sportelli, Sevostianova, Sallenave, & Leinauer, 2018). Another group of chemicals that are marketed to help conserve water are the PGRs.…”

Sand topdressing and protective covers impact creeping bentgrass crown moisture during winter

“…Anti‐transpirant applications are used to limit winter desiccation in tree crops (Christiansen & Ashworth, 1978). Soil wetting agents have also been shown to sustain turfgrass quality during summer drought and desiccation stress (Kostka, Cisar, Short, & Mane, 1997; Serena, Sportelli, Sevostianova, Sallenave, & Leinauer, 2018; Soldat, Lowery, & Kussow, 2010). DeBoer, Richardson, McCalla, and Karcher (2019) found that soil wetting agent applications in late fall improved spring green‐up of hybrid bermudagrass ( Cynodon spp.).…”