Trinexapac‐ethyl effects on kentucky bluegrass evapotranspiration

• Published in: Crop science 2001-01, Vol.41 (1), p.247-250
• Main Authors: Ervin, E.H., Koski, A.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural chemicals industry; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Blue-grass; Carboxylic acids; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Evapotranspiration; Experiments; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Genetic aspects; Grasses; Growth; Irrigation; Plant growth; Plant growth inhibiting substances; Plant hormones; Studies; Tending. Growth control; Tillage. Tending. Growth control
• ISSN: 0011-183X; 1435-0653
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2001.411247x

Many researchers have reported that trinexapac‐ethyl [4‐(cyclopropyl‐hydroxy‐methylene)‐3,5‐dioxo‐cyclohexane‐carboxylic acid ethylester] effectively reduces turfgrass leaf elongation and subsequent clipping production. Our hypothesis is that trinexapac‐ethyl (TE) induced canopy growth and conductance reductions may also reduce turfgrass evapotranspiration (ET) rates. This study was conducted to determine if application of TE to mature, field‐grown Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. ‘NuStar’) would result in reduced weekly ET rates as measured by weighing bucket lysimeters. A randomized complete block design was used to compare the weekly ET rate (mm week−1) of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) treated or not with TE (0.27 kg ha−1). Weighing bucket lysimeters containing KBG were treated with TE three times per year at 6‐wk intervals in 1995, 1996, and 1997. Trinexapac‐ethyl reduced KBG weekly ET in 5 wk out of a total of 34 wk sampled over 3 yr. Higher ET rates were not correlated with weekly clipping production for either untreated or TE‐treated KBG. Possible ET reductions, coupled with reduced clipping production, indicate TE is an effective tool for managing numerous turfgrass systems.