Identification of phytotoxic substances in soils following winter injury of grasses as estimated by a bioassay

Abstract

Under northern conditions, winter survival of grass species for hay production is quite uncertain because of winter stresses to plants. Damage to plants may be caused by variability in snow cover, low temperatures, ice encasement and pathogens. Compared to renovation by ploughing, direct drilling without ploughing has some beneficial aspects and may be an alternative method for renovating hay fields. However, successful establishment of grasses without ploughing has been difficult to achieve both in scientific studies and under practical conditions. The objective of this investigation was to study whether a dead grass sod, killed by different winter injuries, may leak phytotoxins into the soil, thus causing the poor results observed by direct drilling in hayfields. Experiments, including soil water extraction and the use of bioassays, were conducted in growth chambers, to study the effects of the winter stresses frost, ice encasement, and snow mould on the accumulation of potentially phytotoxic biochemical compounds in the soil. Snow mould did not kill the grasses in the experiments and no phytotoxicity was measured. Although both ice encasement and low temperatures killed the grasses, only ice encasement caused phytotoxicity. The present investigation shows that the occurrence of phytotoxic substances, especially butyrate, after ice encasement may be a cause of poor establishment of direct-drilled grass plants after winter injuries. In serious cases of ice encasement this may justify a 1-2 wk delay of sowing, which in turn may result in reduced soil water for germination and may cause increased competition from other species. Key words: Hay fields, grassland, winter injuries, phytotoxic substances, allelochemicals

Tolerance to simulated ice encasement andMicrodochium nivalein USA selections of greens-typePoa annua

“…Like many other fermentation products, butyric acid and butyrates result in membrane dysfunction and leakage of metabolites and ions (Andrews & Pomeroy, 1989). Brandsaeter et al (2005) recently documented that high concentrations of butyrate after ice encasement of orchardgrass could result in poor establishment of direct-drilled grass seed after winter injuries.…”

“…Danneberger (2005) estimated the critical encasement period for annual meadowgrass to be between 45 and 60 days. While research in North America has focused on ice damage due to rehydration of crown tissues as the ice melts (Beard & Olien, 1963;Beard, 1964;Thompkins et al, 2000;Vargas & Turgeon, 2004) and higher lethal temperatures under ice cover Thompkins et al, 2004), Scandinavian researchers have been more concerned with the accumulation of CO 2 and other toxic compounds in situations with complete ice encasement (Gudleifsson & Larsen, 1992;Gudleifsson, 1993Gudleifsson, , 1994Tronsmo & Tronsmo, 2004;Brandsaeter et al, 2005). Andrews (1977) reported accumulation of ethanol in iceencased winter cereals, and Gudleifsson (1994) found increases in acetate and butyrate and a number of other organic acids in timothy (Phleum pratense L.), but there is little or no evidence of lethal concentrations of acids, alcohols, esters or other toxic compounds in situations with ice encasement of putting greens.…”

Physiological Responses of Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass to Contrasted Levels of O2 and CO2 at Low Temperatures

“…Anaerobic conditions can also affect the activity of the soil microflora. In poorly oxygenated soils, obligate anaerobes such as saccharolytic and proteolytic clostridia ( Clostridium butyricum , C. sporogenes , C. perfringens ) have been shown to be antagonistic of plant growth (Biswas et al, 2001; Brandsaeter et al, 2005). Clostridium bacteria have the capacity to decompose organic matter and to produce low molecular weight monobasic aliphatic acids also know as volatile fatty acids (VFA; Watanabe, 1984).…”

Atmospheric Composition under Impermeable Winter Golf Green Protections

“…The turfgrass on the RD green could have been killed by exposure to low redox potential induced by the rapid O 2 consumption. Under such conditions, volatile fatty acids are produced by anaerobic Clostridium bacteria and have been shown to be antagonistic of plant growth (Biwas et al, 2001; Brandsaeter et al, 2005). Accordingly, the accumulation of butyrate was shown to occur after ice encasement (Brandsaeter et al 2005).…”