Seasonal Changes in Carbohydrate and Protein Content of Seeded Bermudagrasses and Their Effect on Spring Green‐Up |
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| Authors: | M Schiavon S Macolino B Leinauer U Ziliotto |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy;2. Department of Extension Plant Sciences, New Mexico State University, LasCruces, NM, USA |
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| Abstract: | The widespread use of warm‐season turfgrasses in transition zones of Europe, such as northern Italy, has been hampered by the long dormancy periods. To encourage the conversion from cool‐ to warm‐season grasses, research is needed to identify cultivars that exhibit early spring green‐up. A 2‐year study was conducted at the agricultural experimental farm of Padova University from November 2006 to October 2008 to compare water‐soluble carbohydrate and protein content in stolons of four bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] cultivars and determine their effect on spring green‐up. Samples of ‘La Paloma’, ‘NuMex Sahara’, ‘Princess 77’ and ‘Yukon’ were collected monthly, and water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and crude protein (CP) content of stolons were measured. Dry weight values of WSC and CP for each cultivar were regressed against days needed to reach 80 % green cover in spring (D80). ‘Yukon’ exhibited the highest rhizome dry weight and WSC content during the winter months and was the fastest to reach 80 % green cover. Conversely, ‘Princess 77’ was the slowest cultivar to green‐up in both years. Regression analysis revealed a stronger relationship between D80 and WSC than between CP content and D80. |
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| Keywords: | crude protein days to reach 80 % green cover transition zone warm‐season grasses water‐soluble carbohydrates |
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