Effects of seasonal trinexapac-ethyl application on warm-season turfgrass species growth under Mediterranean environment.

摘要

Reducing mowing without compromising quality are the main goals of turf managers. Applications of the trinexapac-ethyl (TE) [4-(cyclopropyl- alpha -hydroxymethylene)-3,5-dioxocyclohexane carboxylic acid ethylester] can restrict leaf growth and hence reduce clipping production of warm-season turfgrass species. The objective was to: study the effects of seasonal TE application on vertical growth suppression and clipping production of warm-season turfgrass species: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Buchloe dactyloides Engelm., Zoysia japonica Steudel, Paspalum notatum (Fliigge), Paspalum vaginatum Swartz, and Eremochloa ophiurioides (Munro) Hack in the Mediterranean region. Applications of TE to the nineteen seeded-type cultivars were made to fully established turf plots at a 0.38 kg active ingredient (a.i.) ha-1 rate in summer or fall. Application schedule included a single application, followed by zero or one sequential application at 4-wk. Overall, single TE treatment in summer suppressed the vertical growth up to 8-wk and reduced the clipping production up to 72%. The sequential summer application extended the suppression up to 5-wk. The mean clipping yield were 21 and 39% lower than the control throughout the 15-week in summer; and 65 and 67% lower in fall with single and sequential TE applications, respectively. Results support the use of sequential application of TE for extended growth suppression in summer. Suppressing the growth and accelerating dormancy of warm-season turfgrasses, the fall TE application may aid in transition to over-seeded cool-season grasses.