Agronomy Journal Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
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Published online 1 July 1973
Published in Agron J 65:591-594 (1973)
© 1973 American Society of Agronomy
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Temperature Influence on the Physiology of Selected Cool Season Turfgrasses and Bermudagrass1

T. L. Watschke, R. E. Schmidt, E. W. Carson and R. E. Blaser2

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.

Key Words: Compensation point • Carbohydrate • Photosynthesis • Photorespiration • Dark respiration • Plant growth • Glycolate oxidase inhibition

1 Contribution by the Department of Agronomy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061. Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

2 Former NDEA Pre-doctoral Fellow (now Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science, Pennsylvania State University. University Park, Pennsylvania 16802), Associate Professors, and University Professor of Agronomy, respectively, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061.

Received for publication August 28, 1972.




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Copyright © 1973 by the American Society of Agronomy.