Above- and Below-Ground Part Growth in Chewings and Strong Creeping Red Fescue Grown for Seed Resulting from Retardants and N Fertilization

Abstract

Generative tillers are a source of assimilates necessary for the seed formation. However, their excessive elongation, especially under high doses of nitrogen, increases the susceptibility to lodging. The growth of generative shoots depends, among others on the root biomass affecting nutrient uptake, and on the ability to form rhizomes, as well as on the competitiveness of parallel developing vegetative tillers. Two-replicate field experiments were performed in Poland (53°09′ N, 17°35′ E), to determine the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) (single application of chloromequat chloride (CCC) at BBCH 30-31 or sequential treatment CCC at BBCH 30-31 + ethephon (ET) or CCC at BBCH 30-31 + trinexapac-ethyl (TE) at BBCH 37-39, and N fertilization (40 and 70 kg ha−1) on the length of generative tillers, the weight of generative and vegetative tillers, the canopy height, the weight of roots and rhizomes, and on N uptake in Festuca rubra L ssp. rubra (strong creeping red fescue) and F. r. L ssp. commutata (Chewings red fescue). Chewings red fescue turned to be more sensitive to the retardants. Generative tillers were shorter after single application of CCC as well as sequential treatment CCC + ET or TE. The tillers of strong creeping red fescue were shortened only after the application of CCC + TE. In every PGR treatments the canopy height at harvest was greater than in the control. Increasing the N rate from 40 to 70 kg ha−1 caused the reduction canopy height of strong creeping red fescue. Increased production of above-ground biomass, especially generative tillers, resulted in an increase in N accumulation in Chewings red fescue, as compared with strong creeping. Increasing the nitrogen rate from 40 to 70 kg ha−1, despite the reduction of root dry matter weight, stimulated generative tiller dry matter accumulation but it did not affect the biomass of vegetative tillers.

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators and N Rate on the Morphological Traits of Generative Tillers and Seed Yields of Chewings and Strong Creeping Red Fescue

“…In the study done by Mathiassen [30], there were no significant differences in the internode length of the plant, but the straw length of the untreated plant cultivars was only 60.4 cm. In our study, this value was 73.4 cm [21]. A research on wheat enables a deeper understanding of the impact of PGRs on the morphological traits of plant's internodes and lodging.…”

“…Nista. Moreover, it developed a large biomass of easily lodged vegetative tillers [21]. The elongation of the panicle and the increase in the number of vegetative tillers could also induce the intensification of the lodging under conditions of increased nitrogen fertilizer (from 40 to 70 kg ha −1 ).…”

“…Moreover, the soil is characterized by a slight acidic reaction (pH in 1 mol KCL 5.7-6.1). Detailed characteristics of soil conditions can be found in the study by Szczepanek et al [21].…”

Effect of fertilization and plant protection treatments on seed yield and seed quality of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

“…In the third production year, the density of fertile stems per m 2 increased significantly, leading to stronger competition between stems and resulting in lower seed yield. In addition, this effect could be amplified by an increasing number of vegetative stems (Szczepanek et al, 2020), though this aspect was not recorded in study.…”

Influence of Plant Growth Retardants and Nitrogen Doses on the Content of Plant Secondary Metabolites in Wheat, the Presence of Pests, and Soil Quality Parameters

“…This results in soil degradation (a reduction in the organic matter content and the pH), water pollution, increased nitrate leaching, and the production of reactive N compounds [27,28]. A reduced organic matter content due to increased rates of nitrogen fertilisation may be a consequence of the reduced root mass of plants [29]. Sustainable nitrogen fertilisation has a positive effect on crop yields and increases the weight of crop residues, and, consequently, contributes to an increase in the organic matter content in soils [30].…”