Comparing cultivars of three cool-season turf-grasses for potassium uptake kinetics and potassium recovery in the field

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1995

Abstract

Efficient use of potassium (K) by turf depends on the ability of roots to absorb a high proportion of the fertilizer K applied to the soil. Among turfgrass genotypes, variation in K absorption kinetics of roots and its inheritance is important in the development of genotypes that are more efficient in K absorption from the soil. Therefore, K uptake kinetics of six cultivars each of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were compared under greenhouse conditions. In 1990 and 1991, field studies of the same cultivars were conducted comparing clipping production rate, leaf blade K concentration, K recovery rate in clippings, K efficiency ratio and visual quality under a moderate K fertilization of 59 kg K/ha/year. Significant differences among species and cultivars were obtained for both absorption kinetics and field recovery of K. Significant correlations between some K uptake parameters and field performance were identified. These results show that genetic differences exist among turfgrasses for K utilization at both the interspecific and intraspecific levels and suggest that a screening program could be developed to identify turfgrass genotypes possessing superior K utilization. © 1995, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Plant Nutrition

Volume

18

Issue

3

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