Turfgrass Physiology and Ecology: Advanced Management Principles (Animal & Veterinary Science)

This book contains 14 chapters discussing the advanced turfgrass management principles focusing on physiology and ecology. Topics discussed include: (1) Diagnosing plant need; (2) Understanding photosynthesis; (3) Why C3 and C4 grasses require different management; (4) Respiration and transpiration; (5) Why our management practices affect our turf; (6) The importance of light and managing shade; (7) Understanding and prescribing nutrition; (8) Irrigation and water management; (9) Adjusting for seasonal conditions and temperature stress; (10) Growing grass on soil, sand and salt; (11) The ecology of turfgrass management; (12) Managing competition among plant species; (13) Managing competition between turf and its pests; and (14) Making the right decisions. Available In Print Contents 6 About the Author 10 1 Diagnosing Plant Need 12 1.1 An Introduction to Using Scientific Concepts 12 1.2 A Look at Terminology 13 1.3 Using the Science 14 1.4 Observing Turf Performance 17 1.5 Photosynthesis 19 1.6 Respiration 19 1.7 Transpiration 20 1.8 Diagnosing Plant Need 21 1.9 Chapter Summary 22 2 Understanding Photosynthesis 23 2.1 Encourage Photosynthesis to Encourage Turfgrass Growth 23 2.2 The Importance of Light 24 2.3 The Importance of Carbon Dioxide 28 2.4 The Importance of Water 32 2.5 Chapter Summary 33 3 Why C[sub(3)] and C[sub(4)] Grasses Require Different Management 35 3.1 Use Species Adaptation to Your Advantage 35 3.2 Photorespiration 36 3.3 Kranz Anatomy 41 3.4 Characteristics of C[sub(3)] and C[sub(4)] Plants 44 3.5 Chapter Summary 46 4 Respiration and Transpiration 47 4.1 Encouraging Efficient Use of Carbohydrates and Water 48 4.2 Plant Respiration 48 4.3 Transpiration 62 4.4 Chapter Summary 68 5 Why Our Management Practices Affect Our Turf 69 5.1 Understanding What We Know From a Turfgrass Perspective 69 5.2 Mowing Causes Chronic Damage to Turf 71 5.3 Thatch and Thatch Management 77 5.4 Issues Pertaining to Soil Compaction 83 5.5 Managing Wear Caused by Traffic 83 5.6 Chapter Summary 84 6 The Importance of Light and Managing Shade 86 6.1 The Practice of Making Adjustments to Improve Photosynthesis in Shade 86 6.2 The Influence of Irradiance 87 6.3 Managing Turf in Shade 92 6.4 Chapter Summary 97 7 Understanding and Prescribing Nutrition 99 7.1 Manage Your Fertilization to Match Your Turfgrass Needs and Local Conditions 99 7.2 Basic Soil Attributes 100 7.3 Plant Nutrition 104 7.4 Chapter Summary 116 8 Irrigation and Water Management 118 8.1 Manage Your Irrigation and Drainage for Site-specific Objectives 118 8.2 Irrigation Management 119 8.3 Species Adaptation to Low Water Use 134 8.4 Managing Water Overload 135 8.5 Chapter Summary 138 9 Adjusting for Seasonal Conditions and Temperature Stress 140 9.1 Optimal Turfgrass Health is a Result of Flexible Management Under Differing Temperatures 141 9.2 Seasonal Turfgrass Management 141 9.3 High-temperature Stress in Grasses 142 9.4 Cold-temperature Stress in Grasses 150 9.5 Chapter Summary 155 10 Growing Grass on Soil, Sand and Salt 157 10.1 Different Media Require Different Management 157 10.2 Problems With Soil 158 10.3 Problems With Sand 161 10.4 Sand System Design and Construction 163 10.5 Managing Turfgrass on Soil and Sand 165 10.6 Managing Turf on Soils High in Salts 167 10.7 Chapter Summary 172 11 The Ecology of Turfgrass Management 174 11.1 How to Make Nature Work For You 175 11.2 Introduction to Ecological Theory 175 11.3 Turfgrass Ecology 181 11.4 Chapter Summary 185 12 Managing Competition Among Plant Species 186 12.1 Manage Your Sites to Favor Turfgrass and Discourage Other Plant Species 186 12.2 Competition Among Turfgrass Species 187 12.3 Competition Between Turfgrass and Other Plants 188 12.4 Biological Herbicides 194 12.5 Chapter Summary 196 13 Managing Competition Between Turf and its Pests 198 13.1 How Can We Affect Relationships Between Predator and Prey? 198 13.2 Predator/Prey Relationships 198 13.3 Managing Turfgrass Predators 199 13.4 Affecting Relationships Between Predators and Turf 204 13.5 Making a Management Plan 207 13.6 Chapter Summary 210 14 Making the Right Decisions 212 14.1 Learn to Use Your Knowledge to Your Advantage 212 14.2 Planning the Project 213 14.3 Turfgrass Establishment 216 14.4 Making a Management Plan 218 14.4 Chapter Summary 221 References 222 Index 238 A 238 B 238 C 239 D 240 E 240 F 240 G 241 H 241 I 241 J 241 K 241 L 241 M 242 N 242 O 243 P 243 R 244 S 244 T 245 U 246 V 246 W 246 X 246 Z 246 Chapter: 1 (Page no: 1) Diagnosing plant need. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 2 (Page no: 12) Understanding photosynthesis. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 3 (Page no: 24) Why C3 and C4 grasses require different management. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 4 (Page no: 36) Respiration and transpiration. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 5 (Page no: 58) Why our management practices affect our turf. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 6 (Page no: 75) The importance of light and managing shade. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 7 (Page no: 88) Understanding and prescribing nutrition. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 8 (Page no: 107) Irrigation and water management. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 9 (Page no: 129) Adjusting for seasonal conditions and temperature stress. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 10 (Page no: 146) Growing grass on soil, sand and salt. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 11 (Page no: 163) The ecology of turfgrass management. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 12 (Page no: 175) Managing competition among plant species. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 13 (Page no: 187) Managing competition between turf and its pests. Author(s): Bell, G. E. Chapter: 14 (Page no: 201) Making the right decisions. Author(s): Bell, G. E. In order to face new challenges and unique situations in turfgrass management, students need to understand why specific management practices work and how to adjust them based on plants' requirements. Explaining the physiological needs of turfgrass plants, this advanced textbook outlines the management techniques that help supply those needs. Chapters discuss a range of practices and methods to cope with stress under both normal and less than optimum conditions, providing the decision-making tools for improvement based on changing environmental conditions. This textbook presents a unique perspective of both science and practical management principles that will be applicable to all turfgrass sectors. In order to face new challenges and unique situations in turfgrass management, students need to understand why specific management practices work and how to adjust them based on plants' requirements. Explaining the physiological needs of turfgrass plants, this advanced textbook outlines the management techniques that help supply those needs. Chapters discuss a range of practices and methods to cope with stress under both normal and less than optimum conditions, providing the decision making tools for improvement based on changing environmental conditions. This textbook presents a unique perspective of both science and practical management principles that will be applicable to all turfgrass sectors Explaining the physiological needs of turfgrass plants, this textbook outlines the management techniques that help supply those needs. A range of practices and methods to cope with stress under both normal and less than optimum conditions are discussed, providing the decision making tools for improvement based on changing environmental conditions.