Evaluating the use of the branched‐chain amino acids in combination with urea on creeping bentgrass at establishment

Abstract

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine (L), isoleucine (IL), and valine (V) are synthesized in plants and essential to growth in most organisms. Research has shown that when foliarly applied, these compounds can be absorbed by the plant, however, plant catabolism of BCAA is not completely understood. A ratio of 4:1:1 (L:IL:V) applied at 3.4 kg-nitrogen (N) ha −1 was identified as the optimal application ratio for increasing creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) shoot density, however, material incompatibility issues occurred when BCAA were applied at 8:1:1 and 12:1:1 in previous work. The objective of this study was to determine if shoot density could be further increased by using lower BCAA ratio rates in combination with urea and GreenNCrease to equalize N at establishment. Creeping bentgrass samples grown in sand-filled pots were subjected to N application (3.4 kg-N ha −1