1. TURF PHYSIOLOGY

2. Photosynthesis 2-ranked leaf arrangement Chlorophyll gives green color
Photosynthesis is process of using light to create carbohydrates (food)

3. Carbohydrates (CHO) Excess CHO can be produced and stored
Favorable conditions
High mowing height
Adequate N

4. Carbohydrates (CHO) Lack of CHO available during temperature stress
High respiration
Process of CHO consumption
Lower CHO production

5. CLIMATE ZONES Cool season zones (humid and dry)
Warm season zones (humid and dry)
Transition zone: too hot is summer, too cold in winter
Zoysia and tall fescue

6. COOL-SEASON VS. WARM-SEASON TURFGRASSES
Cool-season turfgrass
Spring and fall are favorable
65 to 75 F
Semi-dormant in winter
C3 plants (# of carbon atoms in PS)
12 to 18” roots

7. COOL-SEASON VS. WARM-SEASON SPECIES
Warm-season turfgrass
Summer
80 to 95 F
Semi to dormant in winter
Lose chlorophyll below 50 F
C4 (# of carbon atoms in PS)
36” roots

8. MORPHOLOGY Shoots: aboveground parts Blade: upper part of leaf
Sheath: lower part of leaf
Older leaves on outside, new leaves develop on the inside of sheath

9. MORPHOLOGY Meristem: region of cell division where growth occurs
Its location tolerates mowing

10. MORPHOLOGY
Collar: blade growth occurs

11. MORPHOLOGY Crown: heart of the turfgrass plant Highly compressed nodes
Nodes: region of new growth

12. MORPHOLOGY
All shoots and roots produced from crown

13. MORPHOLOGY Ligule: growth on inside of collar
Thin membrane or fringe of hairs, or both

14. MORPHOLOGY
Auricles: appendages growing from the edges of collar

15. MORPHOLOGY
Vernation: sheath orientation
Rolled or folded

16. Turfgrass Cultivar Cultivar: short for “cultivated variety”
Differences within species that are bred
Tolerances, color, texture, growth rate…

17. Non-Spreading Turf Bunch type: tillers are formed from crown
New plants develop from nodes on crown (daughter plants)
Tight bunch of turfgrass plants

18. Non-Spreading Turf Bunch type: tillers are formed from crown
New plants develop from nodes on crown (daughter plants)
Tight bunch of turfgrass plants

19. Spreading Turf
Stoloniferous: crowns develop lateral stems that grow aboveground
Nodes along stem capable of rooting and forming new plant

20. Spreading Turf
Rhizomatous: lateral stems underground
Large and white

21. ROOTING Highly fibrous Great ability to “mine” the soil
Low P fertilizers
Roots are dependant on shoots for CHO
Storage of excess CHO

22. ROOTING Over-irrigation reduces root system
Drier soils stimulate root growth
High hormone production that slows shoot growth

23. ROOTING
Mowing
Reduces CHO production and root allocation

24. ROOTING
Fertility
Excessive N causes overgrowth of shoots and fewer roots

25. ROOTING
Light
Shade reduces CHO (PS) production, less goes to roots