Effects of K Fertilization on Freezing Tolerance and Carbohydrate Content of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Maintained as Turf¹

Abstract

The purpose was to determine the effects of K fertilization on freezing tolerance and carbohydrate content of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. ‘Kentucky 31’ which was reputed to be susceptible to cold injury in northern areas of the U.S. From September through mid‐November, K from KCl was applied to field plots of Bridgehampton silt loam soil in increments to achieve levels of 0, 10, 20 or 40 kg/ha. The same plots received a total of 20 kg N/ha as NH4NO3 in four splits ending in mid‐October. Sand cultures were fertilized three times/week with solutions containing 200 ppm N, 64 ppm P, and 0, 50, or 200 ppm K. Other essential elements were applied in standard amounts and Na was excluded. Samples from both areas were analyzed from October 1973 through April 1974. Tissue K was determined by flame photometry and freezing tolerance by percentage of total electrolytes lost from crown tissue after freezing. Water and 85% ethanol soluble carbohydrates were determined by anthrone and polymeric carbohydrates by the difference between water and ethanol soluble values. Though exchangeable soil K measured low in field plots originally, available K was adequate for development of freezing tolerance and accumulation of carbohydrates since neither was influenced by K fertilization. In sand culture tissue no effects on either freezing tolerance or carbohydrate content were observed even though K contents ranged from 0.7% to over 3% of dry weight during the cold hardening period. Results suggest fall fertilization with K is not critical to development of freezing tolerance or accumulation of carbohydrates under Rhode Island conditions.

A Quantitative Method to Assess Freezing Resistance in Faba Beans

“…There are lots of methods to assess freezing injury. In field experiments survival of plants have often been used (AULD et al 1983, COOK and DUFF 1976, JOHNSTON and DICKENS 1976. Under controlled environments it is more convenient to judge injury of leaves either by visual rating of the necrotic area (BARNES andWILSON 1984, YEL-LENOSKY 1985) or by measuring the reduction of fresh matter (LALK and DORFFLING 1985), of O2-consumption (YELLENOSKY 1985), and of photosynthesis (HERZOG 1978), or by chlorophyll fluorescence (BARNS and WILSON 1984).…”

“…Under controlled environments it is more convenient to judge injury of leaves either by visual rating of the necrotic area (BARNES andWILSON 1984, YEL-LENOSKY 1985) or by measuring the reduction of fresh matter (LALK and DORFFLING 1985), of O2-consumption (YELLENOSKY 1985), and of photosynthesis (HERZOG 1978), or by chlorophyll fluorescence (BARNS and WILSON 1984). In many works increase of conductivity due to electrolyte leakage from leaves has been taken as a measure of injury (COOK and DUFF 1976, LI and PALTA 1978, HERZOG 1979.…”

Effects of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization on Perennial Ryegrass Cold Tolerance During Deacclimation in Late Winter and Early Spring

“…), no connection was detected between K nutrition and freezing tolerance. Similarly, no relationship was observed with K and freezing tolerance of tall fescue and carbohydrate content (Cook and Duff, 1976).…”

Potassium Rate and Mowing Height for Kentucky Bluegrass Growth

“…However, there were inverse results reported regarding no K effects to grass growth under environmental stress. Cook and Duff (1976) found no K effects on freezing tolerance of tall fescue. Dest and Guilliard (2001) found no correlation between K application and moisture stress.…”