Temperature Influence on the Physiology of Selected Cool Season Turfgrasses and Bermudagrass
1973
Watschke, T. L. | Schmidt, R. E. | Carson, E. W. | Blaser, R. E.
Cool season turfgrasses with rapid photosynthesis, low respiration, and some regulation of growth appear to be best adapted to high temperatures. Foliar and root growth, carbohydrates, photosynthesis in normal and reduced O₂ atmosphere, CO₂ compensation points (T), and dark respiration rates were determined in two temperature regimes (23 C light-15 C dark and 35 C light-25 C dark). Poa pratensis L., P. trivialis L., Lolium perenne L., Festuca rubra L., P. compressa L., and Cynodon spp. were used. Cool season species originating from warm areas grew better and tended to have lower dark respiration at high temperature than those from cooler areas Photosynthesis of cool season species approached that of bermudagrass at high temperature when photorespiration was inhibited by low O₂ concentration. Plants with a combination of rapid photosynthesis and low respiration appeared to best supply metabolic demands for carbon. This was reflected by a slower decrease in carbohydrates and growth at high temperature than plants with low photosynthesis and high respiration. T increased in cool season species with increased temperature, and bermudagrass had a low T that was unaffected by temperature changes. T appeared to have some value as an indicator of photosynthetic efficiency between genera of cool season grasses.
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