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Growth responses of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) to trinexapac-ethyl applied in spring and autumn

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Agriculture in China

Abstract

The practices with low clippings production to save time, money, or landfill space, were favored by turf managers. Understanding the responses of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) to Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) would facilitate recommendations regarding its safe and effective use in Northern China. The objectives of this study are (1) to investigate the effects of TE on vertical growth, clipping yield, leaf width, and chlorophyll content of Kentucky bluegrass, and (2) to compare the seasonal application impacts of TE. Both spring and autumn experiment results demonstrated that Trinexapac-ethyl applied to Kentucky bluegrass, suppressed the vertical grass growth and significantly reduced the Kentucky bluegrass clippings production within a few weeks after initial treatment. Applied trinexapac-ethyl enhanced Kentucky bluegrass leaf width in both spring and autumn experimental periods. Discoloration on leaf tips was observed and lasted for four weeks when the same TE rate of 0.191 mL$m-2 was applied in early autumn. Darker leaves with higher chlorophyll content compared with non-TE-treatments appeared after the initial four weeks of the treatment in autumn and the treatment for the entire spring.

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Correspondence to Xiuju Bian.

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Fan, G., Bian, X., Li, H. et al. Growth responses of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) to trinexapac-ethyl applied in spring and autumn. Front. Agric. China 3, 186–189 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-009-0038-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-009-0038-6

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