Stolon Growth and Dry Matter Partitioning Explain Differences in Zoysiagrass Establishment Rates

Abstract

A barrier to widespread zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) use is its slow establishment rate. Our objectives were to quantify differences in establishment rate of zoysiagrass cultivars and genotypes as well as determine the underlying factors associated with differential growth rates. Thirty‐five genotypes of zoysiagrass were transplanted into field plots in June 2004 and 2005. Establishment rate and stolon growth of zoysiagrass genotypes were measured in the field and then four cultivars with contrasting establishment rate were used for further growth analysis in a growth chamber. Mean establishment rate [loge (coverage) d−1] and coverage (cm2) 91 d after planting (DAP) in the field were faster for Z. japonica than Z. matrella genotypes. The Z. japonica Genotype 6186 had the greatest coverage 91 DAP. ‘El Toro’, ‘Chinese Common’, and ‘Palisades’ were among the Z. japonica genotypes that produced more coverage 91 DAP than the mean (1943 cm2), while ‘Meyer’ produced less coverage than the mean. ‘Zorro’ was among the fastest establishing Z. matrella genotypes, and ‘Diamond’ was the slowest. Growth analysis indicated El Toro and Zorro, which establish faster than Meyer and Diamond, partition more dry matter to stolons and rhizomes than leaves. This is consistent with field data where El Toro and Zorro have greater total stolon length than Meyer and Diamond. Zoysiagrass genotypes that partition more dry matter to stems instead of leaves establish the quickest.

Desenvolvimento morfológico das gramas Esmeralda, São Carlos e Tifton 419

“…A maior ou menor capacidade de estabelecimento de gramas estoloníferas é dependente desse atributo. Segundo Patton et al (2007), genótipos de Zoysia spp. que alocam mais matéria seca para estolões e rizomas, ao invés de folhas, se estabelecem mais rapidamente.…”

Stolon Type and Soil Burial Effects on ‘Tifton 85’ Bermudagrass Establishment

“…By cutting the stolons into small fragments, growth hormones were probably produced in the bud scales at the nodes, stimulating sprouting (Rechenthin, 1956). at 43 DAP ranged from 3 to 26 cm (Patton et al, 2007). Therefore, the fact that this treatment presented >60% shoot death at 6 wk after planting was probably related to a shortage of nutrients and water to support the initiated shoot growth.…”

“…When planted stolons were partially buried, growth rate of new shoots was greater compared with totally buried when Long stolons or Upper stolons were planted. Patton et al (2007) observed a shoot growth rate ranging from 2 to 11 mm d -1 when measured from 57 to 71 DAP, and Volterrani et al (2012) reported rates from 5 to 38 mm d -1 for different turf bermudagrass types. When Lower stolons were planted, growth rates were as great as those for any other stolon type, regardless of soil burial.…”

Lateral Spread and Dry Matter Partitioning of Creeping Bentgrass Cultivars

“…Plants with lower CGR values tend to have higher LAR and SLA (Patton et al, 2007). Plants with lower CGR values tend to have higher LAR and SLA (Patton et al, 2007).…”

“…Values for CGR, RGR, ULR, LAR, SLA, LWR, SWR, RWR, were calculated using formulae described by Patton et al (2007) and verifi ed by using the spreadsheet tool from Hunt of green plant tissue as described by Patton et al (2007). A calibration image with an object of known area was also obtained during each data collection event and was used to convert data from selected pixels to percentage cover (square centimeter).…”