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

Abstract

Persisting drought conditions in California are limiting water allocation for golf course irrigation. A study was conducted at the University of California, Riverside to determine if products including trinexapac-ethyl (TE), a surfactant (Revolution), and nitrogen (N) fertilizer [Gro-Power (5-3-1); SeaBlend (12-4-5) + StressRX (6-0-2) + XP Extra Protection (5-0-0); YaraLiva (15.5-0-0); Turf Royale (21-7-14); each applied at 25 g N m -2 yr -1 ) could enhance quality of 'Princess 77' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) irrigated at 53 or 92% turfgrass evapotranspiration (ET c ) under fairway conditions. Product and irrigation treatments were applied from May through October 2016 and 2017. Every 2 wk, plots were evaluated for visual quality, normalized difference vegetation index, soil volumetric water content using time domain reflectometry, and percent green cover using digital image analysis. Root samples were collected in November of both years, and fall color retention and spring green-up were assessed using digital image analysis. At 92% ET c replacement, visual quality was highest in plots that received TE and surfactant. Although no differences were found among fertilizer treatments, fertilization alone was able to sustain visual quality at a minimally acceptable level at 92% ET c . Surfactant had the greatest positive effect on turf irrigated at 53% ET c , whereas TE did not improve visual quality on the same plots. Overall, results indicate that regular applications of either Revolution surfactant or SeaBlend + StressRX + XP Extra Protection can sustain bermudagrass visual quality at 53% ET c .

Clippings return decreases mineral nitrogen requirements for bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) lawns in Mediterranean Europe

“…Our results are consistent with those of Hays, Barber, Kenna, and McCollum (1991) and Schiavon et al. (2019), who found no correlation between root morphology in the first 30 cm of soil and visual quality of bermudagrass. Although increased root length is associated with drought avoidance in bermudagrass (Zhang et al., 2019; Zhou, Lambrides, & Fukai, 2014; Zhou et al., 2018), periodic, short‐term droughts never hindered the quality of nonirrigated Yukon in northern Italy (Rimi et al., 2013; Schiavon et al., 2016).…”

“…Similarly, no increases in quality or density were reported for ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass when N rates exceeded 200 kg N ha −2 yr −1 (Johnson, Carrow, & Burns, 1987). Although higher turfgrass quality, clippings dry biomass, and weekly growth rate were documented with increasing N rates (Volterrani, Grossi, Foschi, & Miele, 2005), the source of N does not seem to influence well‐watered bermudagrass performance during the summer months (Schiavon, Orlinski, Petelewicz, Pudzianowska, & Baird, 2019; Serena, Schiavon, Sallenave, & Leinauer, 2018). These studies concluded that investigating the response of bermudagrasses to a wider range of N applications rates was necessary.…”

Identification of wetting agents for water conservation on deficit‐irrigated hybrid bermudagrass fairways

“…In 2019, less soil moisture variability was observed from all wetting agents tested in this study. This finding is supported by Schiavon et al (2014) and Schiavon et al (2019) who demonstrated greater uniformity of soil moisture was found in plots treated with a wetting agent. Likewise, wetting agent and irrigation treatments exhibited no effects on proline accumulation in 2018.…”

“…Its results might be affected by factors beyond plant water status, such as leaf cell constituents or shadows in the canopies (Bremer, Lee, Su, & Keeley, 2011). Furthermore, wetting agents had no effect on bermudagrass fall color retention, and this finding is in agreement with Schiavon et al (2019). The effect of wetting agents may be negligible since fertilization, cultural practices, and other factors could also affect fall color retention.…”

Increasing the efficacy of Primo MAXX and Cutless MEC plant growth regulators with different surfactants on creeping bentgrass

“…A previous study showed that mixing a surfactant with PM will increase cover and decrease irrigation in bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] (Schiavon, Orlinski, Petelewicz, Pudzianowska, & Baird, 2019; Serena, Sportelli, Sevostianova, Sallenave, & Leinauer, 2018). Fagerness and Penner (1998) showed that mixing a surfactant with an older formulation of TE called Primo increased the uptake and absorption of the active ingredient.…”