Heat tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass as affected by trinexapac-ethyl

N. L. Heckman, G. L. Horst, R. E. Gaussoin, L. J. Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heat accumulation during storage of sod may reach lethal temperatures within 4 days, decreasing sod quality. Treatment with trinexapac-ethyl reduces heat accumulation during sod storage. However, heat tolerance of grasses treated with trinexapac-ethyl has not been documented. Our objectives were to: 1) determine the lethal temperatures for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.); and 2) identify the effect of a single application of trinexapac-ethyl on heat tolerance. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications and a two (trinexapac-ethyl vs. control) × two (cultivars) factorial arrangement of treatments. Ten days after chemical treatment, Kentucky bluegrass sprigs were exposed to heat stress for 4 days in a temperature gradient block under low vapor pressure deficit. Treatment with trinexapac-ethyl at 0.23 kg·ha-1 reduced heat tolerance. Temperature needed to kill 50% of the population was 35.5°C for treated vs. 36.1°C for nontreated grass. Trinexapac-ethyl is in the same chemical family as the cyclohexanedione herbicides that interfere with lipid syntheses in grasses. This may be a reason for the slight decrease in heat tolerance. The practical value of trinexapac-ethyl treatment in reducing heat accumulation during storage of sod may be partially negated by a decrease in heat tolerance. Chemical name used: [(4-cyclopropyl-α-hydroxy-methylene)-3,5-dioxocyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester] (trinexapac-ethyl).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)365-367
Number of pages3
JournalHortScience
Volume36
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Plant growth regulators
  • Poa pratensis
  • Stress tolerance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Horticulture

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