Residue management increases seed yield of three turfgrass species on the Canadian prairies

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
H. G. Najda

Little information is available on the management of turfgrass species for seed production in the Canadian prairies. The objective of these studies was to assess the impact of residue management and row spacing on seed yield under irrigation. A factorial experiment was seeded at Saskatoon, SK, in 1993 to assess the impact of burning or scalping (very close mowing with residue removal) vs. mowing, and 20- vs. 40-cm row spacing on seed yield of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis), creeping red fescue (CRF) (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and creeping bentgrass (CBG) (Agrostis palustris). Also, a residue management trial on KBG was seeded at Brooks, AB, in 1993. At Saskatoon, yield was higher at 20-cm spacing across all three species in 1994, but spacing had no impact on winter survival, stand density, tiller growth or yield in subsequent years. Burning and scalping consistently resulted in earlier spring green-up, a higher proportion of fertile tillers, and higher seed yield than mowing. Even with residue management, yield declined after one harvest in CBG and CRF, and after two harvests in KBG. At Brooks, residue management had a similar impact on yield of KBG. A second trial at Brooks examined the impact of row spacing (20, 40, 60 cm) and seeding rate (0.5 to 6 kg seed ha-1) on KBG. Seed yield was highest at 40-cm spacings in 1994, at 60 cm in 1995, and at 40 to 60 cm in 1996. Seeding rate did not have a consistent effect on yield. We conclude that a combination of residue management and 20- to 40-cm spacings provide the highest, most consistent seed yields for these turfgrass species in this region. Key words: Burning, clipping, turfgrass, seed production, row spacing, Poa, Festuca, Agrostis

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
B. D. Gossen

Silvertop, which is characterized by whitish, completely sterile seed heads produced on green tillers, is a common symptom in many perennial grasses. A 3-yr study of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) grown for seed production was conducted at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to investigate the cause(s) of silvertop, the impact of residue management strategies on silvertop incidence, and the impact of silvertop on seed yield. Three residue management practices were applied in the fall of the first harvest year and again the next fall, as follows: (i) burned after harvest; (ii) clipped to 1–2 cm in height and the residue removed; or (iii) mowed to 20 cm and the residue retained. Arthropods in each plot were collected weekly from May until July by sweep sampling, counted, and identified to family level or lower, and the incidence of seed heads with and without silvertop were assessed. The majority of arthropods were thrips, leafhoppers, plant bugs, mites, or grass-dwelling flies. Grass species and residue treatment strongly affected the number of reproductive tillers and levels of silvertop. Levels of silvertop were lowest in creeping bentgrass in all 3 yr of the study, while they were similar for Kentucky bluegrass and creeping red fescue. Mown plots had fewer reproductive tillers, fewer heathy seed heads, and higher levels of silvertop than burned or clipped plots. However, arthropod species composition was generally similar across grass species and residue treatments. This indicates that a specific arthropod taxon may not be a critical factor in silvertop expression. The relationship between the number and composition of arthropods found and incidence of silvertop is discussed. Key words: Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Poa pratensis, Agrostis palustris, seed production, arthropods, silvertop


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 939-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. THOMPSON ◽  
K. W. CLARK

Three field experiments were performed to determine the effects of fall nitrogen fertilization and post-harvest mechanical stubble removal (to 2.5 cm) on seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. ’Nugget’). In all experiments, N fertilization and stubble removal increased seed yield. Increases were greater in a 3-yr-old than in a 5-yr-old stand. Nitrogen fertilization increased panicle density, panicle weight, shoot height and straw yield. Stubble removal increased panicle density, reduced panicle weight, shoot height, and straw yield and increased harvest index.Key words: Nitrogen, stubble removal, seed, Kentucky bluegrass


2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 939 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Tegg ◽  
P. A. Lane

The increased use of enclosed sports stadiums produces shade conditions that seriously affect the quality of turfgrass surfaces, by encouraging undesirable excess vertical succulent growth. Plant growth regulators offer an opportunity to modify a plant’s growth habit, to enable it to be better adapted to a shady environment. To examine growth response to the plant growth regulator, trinexapac-ethyl, cool-season temperate turfgrasses (Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass, Poa pratensis L./Lolium perenne L.; creeping bentgrass, Agrostis palustris Huds.; supina bluegrass, Poa supina Schrad.; and tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and a warm-season species (Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon L.) were established in a field experiment. Main treatments were 4 levels of shade (0, 26, 56 or 65% shade), with or without trinexapac-ethyl at a rate of 0.5 kg/ha. A pot experiment measured the vertical shoot growth rates of Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass and tall fescue under 0, 56 or 65% shade, with and without trinexapac-ethyl. Both experiments were conducted under ambient conditions. Light readings taken in full sunlight, at midday through summer and autumn (major period of assessment), ranged from 1350 to 1950 μmol/m2.s. Trinexapac-ethyl reduced vertical growth of all turfgrass species. This resulted in decreased clipping weights and in clipping material having an increased dry matter percentage (i.e. reduced succulence). The impact of trinexapac-ethyl on sward quality and colour was dependent on shade level, for all species. At 56 and 65% shade, quality and colour improvement was maximised with trinexapac-ethyl application; the magnitude of improvement was dependent on species, with Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass and bentgrass showing the most benefit. It was concluded that trinexapac-ethyl improved the shade performance of a number of turfgrass species commonly used in high quality turf surfaces. It may offer the potential to reduce costs of managing turf in such an environment.


Author(s):  
İsmail Özaşık ◽  
Mehmet Demir Kaya ◽  
Engin Gökhan Kulan

Seed viability and vigor have been influenced by several factors including soil and climatic conditions, plant nutrition, fertilization, irrigation, plant population and post-harvest storages. The study was conducted to determine the appropriate plant density for vigorous seed production in safflower. The effects of row spacing (14 and 28 cm) and seeding rate (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 seeds m-2) on yield, yield components and seed quality of safflower were detected in the study. The results showed that increased seeding rates resulted in enhanced seed yield and the highest seed yield was obtained from 14 cm and 200 seed m-2 with 3320 kg ha-1. The row spacing and seeding rate did not cause a significant difference in oil and protein contents. Laboratory emergence, germination after accelerated ageing (AA) and electrical conductivity tests were suitable for determining seed quality among the seed lots, while standard germination, cool and cold tests were not appropriate. The highest laboratory emergence percentage and germination after AA were determined in 80 seed m-2 but field emergence percentage in 120 seed m-2. It was concluded that the 14 cm row spacing and seeding rate of 120 seed m-2 should be advised for high yielding seed production regardless of seed vigor in safflower.


HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1201-1204
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Kevin Rue

Saline and alkaline conditions often coexist in nature. Unlike salinity that causes osmotic and ionic stresses, alkalinity reflects the impact of high pH on plant growth and development. In this research, seven turfgrass species, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon (L.) Pers.], and alkaligrass [Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl.], were germinated under 10 saline–alkaline conditions [two salinity concentrations (25 and 50 mm) × five alkalinity levels (pH = 7.2, 8.4, 9.1, 10.0, 10.8)] in a controlled environment. Seed germination was evaluated based on final germination percentage and daily germination rate. Alkaligrass and kentucky bluegrass showed the highest and lowest germination under saline conditions, respectively. Limited variations in germination were observed in other species, except bermudagrass, which showed a low germination rate at 50 mm salinity. Alkalinity did not cause a significant effect on seed germination of tested turfgrass species.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Johnston ◽  
G. W. Clayton ◽  
G. P. Lafond ◽  
K. N. Harker ◽  
T. J. Hogg ◽  
...  

The impact of seed placement and seeding rate on crop yield is not clearly understood for field pea (Pisum sativum L.). A field experiment was conducted at Melfort, SK, and Lacombe, AB, in 1998 and 1999, to evaluate the effect of three seed placements (distinct row: 23 cm and 30 cm with a hoe opener; and spread band: a 20-cm spread using a 28-cm sweep on a 23-cm row spacing) and three seeding rates (50, 100, and, 150 seeds m-2) on pea seedling density, seed yield and seed weight of a leafy prostrate and semi-leafless upright cultivar. A follow-up experiment was conducted at seven sites across Saskatchewan in 2001 to further examine the influence of a wider range of seeding rates (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 120 target plants m-2). Pea productivity for both cultivars was not affected by the different seed placements, despite a 4 mg greater seed weight for distinct row seed placements compared with spread band placement across all 1998–1999 sites. Moreover, the absence of a seed placement by seeding rate interaction indicated that greater spacing between plants was not associated with improved pea yield when seeding rate was increased, regardless of the cultivar. Yield component compensation occurred where increased plant density from higher seeding rates reduced seed weight. In the 2001 study, seed yield benefits were small at seeding rates greater than 50 target plants m-2. There was a tendency for lower yields with seeding rates less than 50, especially at sites with higher yield potential. Yields of field peas grown under relatively weed-free conditions should be optimized with a seeding rate of 50 to 75 seeds m-2. Key words: Pea (Pisum sativum L.), plant arrangement, row spacing, opener type, seeding rate


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Leinauer ◽  
Matteo Serena ◽  
Devesh Singh

A field experiment was conducted at New Mexico State University to investigate the effect of seeding rates and ZEBA polymer [starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-propenoic acid) potassium salt] seed coating on the germination and establishment of warm- and cool-season grasses, and cool-season blends and mixtures. Grasses were established at recommended and reduced (50% of recommended) seeding rates with coated and uncoated seeds under two irrigation regimes (98% and 56% reference evapotranspiration). With the exception of ‘Bengal’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), the polymer coating did not improve germination of the turfgrasses tested 22 days after seeding (DAS). However, at the end of the establishment period (92 DAS), plots established with ‘Bengal’, Dunes Mix [mixture of ‘Hardtop’ hard fescue (Festuca longifolia), ‘Baron’ kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), ‘Barok’ sheep fescue (Festuca ovina)], ‘Panama’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), and Turf Sense™ [mixture of ‘Baronie’ kentucky bluegrass, ‘Barlennium’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and ‘Barcampsia’ tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)] achieved greater coverage (based on visual estimations) when coated seed was used compared with uncoated seed. Establishment was greater for ‘Bengal’, Dunes Mix, ‘Panama’, Turf Sense™, and Turf Saver™ [blend of ‘Barlexas II’, ‘Barrington’, and ‘Labarinth’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)] when normal seeding rates were applied compared with reduced seeding rates. ‘Barleria’ crested hairgrass (Koeleria macrantha) plots did not establish, regardless of the treatments applied. Results showed that seed coating has the potential to improve establishment at recommended and reduced seeding rates and can compensate for less favorable conditions such as reduced irrigation, reduced seeding rate, or for a combination of both. At the end of the establishment period, not all grasses achieved coverage greater than 50%. Further research over a longer establishment period is needed to determine if coated seed can be beneficial in achieving full coverage.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
Peder K. Schmitz ◽  
Hans J. Kandel

Planting date (PD), seeding rate (SR), relative maturity (RM) of cultivars, and row spacing (RS) are primary management factors affecting soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) yield. The individual and synergistic effects of PD, SR, RM, and RS on seed yield and agronomic characteristics in North Dakota were herein investigated. Early and late PD, early and late RM cultivars, two SR (408,000 and 457,000 seed ha−1), and two RS (30.5 and 61 cm) were evaluated in four total environments in 2019 and 2020. Maximizing green canopy cover prior to the beginning of flowering improved seed yield. Individual factors of early PD and narrow RS resulted in yield increase of 311 and 266 kg ha−1, respectively. The combined factors of early PD, late RM, high SR, and narrow RS improved yield by 26% and provided a $350 ha−1 partial profit over conventional practices. Canopy cover and yield had relatively weak relationships with r2 of 0.36, 0.23, 0.14, and 0.21 at the two trifoliolate, four trifoliolate, beginning of flowering, and beginning of pod formation soybean growth stages, respectively. Producers in the most northern soybean region of the USA should combine early planting, optimum RM cultivars, 457,000 seed ha−1 SR, and 31 cm RS to improve yield and profit compared to current management practices.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Judit Barroso ◽  
Nicholas G. Genna

Russian thistle (Salsola tragus L.) is a persistent post-harvest issue in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Farmers need more integrated management strategies to control it. Russian thistle emergence, mortality, plant biomass, seed production, and crop yield were evaluated in spring wheat and spring barley planted in 18- or 36-cm row spacing and seeded at 73 or 140 kg ha−1 in Pendleton and Moro, Oregon, during 2018 and 2019. Russian thistle emergence was lower and mortality was higher in spring barley than in spring wheat. However, little to no effect of row spacing or seeding rate was observed on Russian thistle emergence or mortality. Russian thistle seed production and plant biomass followed crop productivity; higher crop yield produced higher Russian thistle biomass and seed production and lower crop yield produced lower weed biomass and seed production. Crop yield with Russian thistle pressure was improved in 2018 with 18-cm rows or by seeding at 140 kg ha−1 while no effect was observed in 2019. Increasing seeding rates or planting spring crops in narrow rows may be effective at increasing yield in low rainfall years of the PNW, such as in 2018. No effect may be observed in years with higher rainfall than normal, such as in 2019.


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Fairey ◽  
L. P. Lefkovitch

A field study was conducted with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreber) to determine the effect of the initial population density and spatial arrangement of plants on crop development and seed yield. Individual seedling plants were transplanted at seven densities (1.6, 3.1, 6.3, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 plants m−2) and three row spacings (20, 40, and 80 cm), and characteristics of seed production were determined for 3 yr (1991–1993). Over the 3 yr, heading commenced at dates differing by 15 d and was delayed, as density increased, by 8, 6, and 2 d, respectively, in the first, second, and third production years. The time of seed maturity differed among years (21 July to 4 August) but was generally unaffected by density or row spacing. In the first production year, seed yield increased with density up to 25 plants m−2 for each row spacing, then remained constant to at least 50 plants m−2 with both 20- or 40-cm rows; it decreased slightly at 100 plants m−2 with 20 cm rows. In the second production year, seed yield was relatively independent of plant density except that it decreased when the initial density was less than 6 plants m−2 with a row spacing of 80 cm, and tended to be greatest with the 40-cm row spacing at 6–25 plants m−2. In the third production year, seed yield was much lower than in the previous 2 yr but the pattern of response to the density and row spacing treatments was similar to that in the second production year. The seed yield of tall fescue can be optimized for at least 3 consecutive years by establishing an initial density of 20–100 plants m−2 in rows spaced 20–60 cm apart. If the maximization of first-year seed yield is a priority, then the initial establishment should be at a density of 25–50 plants m−2 in rows spaced 20–40 cm apart. Key words: Tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreber, population density, plant spacing, seed production


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