Potential Health Benefits of Pigment-containing Products on Creeping Bentgrass and Hybrid Bermudagrass
Lambert B. McCarty
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, 50 Cherry Road, Clemson, SC 29634-0310, USA.
Adam W. Gore
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, 50 Cherry Road, Clemson, SC 29634-0310, USA.
Philip J. Brown *
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, 50 Cherry Road, Clemson, SC 29634-0310, USA.
S. Bruce Martin
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, 50 Cherry Road, Clemson, SC 29634-0310, USA.
Christina E. Wells
Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The objective of this research was to analyze the use of pigmented products in the management of heat stress on creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stolonifera L. var palustris (Huds.)] and low temperature stress on bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy]. Studies utilized: zinc oxide (ZnO), green pigment + titanium dioxide (TiO2) (Turf Screen); Cu-based pigment (PAR); fosetyl-Al (Fosetyl-Al); fosetyl-Al + Cu-based pigment (Signature); potassium phosphite (KH2PO4) (Title Phyte); Turf Screen + Title Phyte; and, PAR + Title Phyte. Products were applied bi-weekly for 12 wk. Bentgrass canopy temperatures increased ~0.5 to 3°C, photosynthesis reduced ~6 to 20 µmol CO2 cm-2 s-1, and relative chlorophyll content decreased ~8.5% by treatments, while bermudagrass was unaffected. Bermudagrass field studies indicated reduced photosynthesis (~8 to 21 µmol CO2 cm-2 s-1) for Title Phyte, stressed control, and Turf Screen. Root mass was unaffected by treatments. Turf Screen alone and + Title Phyte increased Zn plant (~820 mg kg-1) and soil (4.75 kg ha-1) levels. PAR alone and + Title Phyte; and Turf Screen + Title Phyte increased tissue Cu ~27 mg kg-1. Overall, pigmented products promoted bentgrass heat stress and heavy metal accumulation but had minimum effect on bermudagrass turf performance.
Keywords: Turf pigments, carbon dioxide exchange rate, normalized difference vegetation index, photosynthetically active radiation, visual turfgrass quality