THE COMPETITIVE RELATIONSHIP OP MERIOJM BLUEGRASS AS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS MIXTURES, CUTTING HEIGHTS AND LEVELS OF NITROGEN By Felix Victor Juska AN ABSTRACT Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Departments of Soil Science and Farm Crops 1955 Approved by C K J-.1 ProQuest Number: 10008344 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10008344 Published by ProQuest LLC (2016). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Felix Victor Juska 1 ! - i - S t> Merion bluegrass, creeping red fescue, redtop and domes­ tic ryegrass were grown in the greenhouse alone and in various mixtures under two levels of nitrogen, two heights of cutting and with no cutting, A split plot design with three repli­ cations was set up making a total of three hundred cultures. The two levels of nitrogen were maintained by the addition of ammonium sulfate as Indicated by green tissue tests taken weekly. The two sets of cultures subjected to cutting treatments were cut weekly down to two inches and three-quarters inch respectively for fifteen weeks. all the cultures were harvested. At the end of this period, The tops were removed from the roots and separated as to species where mixtures were present. The sand was then carefully washed from the roots and rhizomes. Oven dry weight of clippings, rhizomes, roots and tops were recorded. The cultures maintained under higher nitrogen and higher cutting produced the greater yield of clippings. The higher yield of both rhizomes and roots occurred where the cultures received low nitrogen and higher cutting. Redtop was more competitive, as measured by the amount of top growth produced, than either creeping red fescue or domestic ryegrass when sown in mixture with Merion bluegrass, regardless of cutting treatment. Twenty plots, each 10 by L|_0 feet, of the same mixtures grown in the greenhouse were sown in the field in early Felix Victor Juska 2 September, 195>3» These plots were further subdivided to allow for the two levels of nitrogen and two heights of cutting, making a total of eighty 10 by 10 foot plots* The plots were mowed twice a week during the season, one half at one and one-half inches and the other half at threequarters of an inch In height* Three observation estimates were made of species com­ position during the seasons* Results of these estimates indicated that Merion bluegrass in mixture with creeping red fescue predominated in the plots supplied with a high level of nitrogen while creeping red fescue predominated in the plots supplied with a low level of nitrogen* The percent of Merion bluegrass plants Increased con­ sistently during the season when in mixture with domestic ryegrass• In mixture with Merion bluegrass, redtop proved to be more competitive than either fescue or ryegrass* In mixtures containing all four species, the percentage increase of Merion bluegrass was inconsistent where high nitrogen was supplied. Under the low nitrogen treatment, Merion bluegrass decreased in percentage of ground cover in all mixtures at both cutting heights* An analysis of the weed infestation in the plots showed that the largest number of weeds occurred when nitrogen was limited and where cutting was short* Mixtures of Merion bluegrass and domestic ryegrass had a higher weed infestation than any of of the other mixtures* THE COMPETITIVE RELATIONSHIP OF MERION BLUEGRASS AS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS MIXTURES, CUTTING HEIGHTS AND LEVELS OF NITROGEN By Felix Victor Juska A THESIS Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Departments of Soil Science and Farm Crops 1955 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author expresses his sincere appreciation to Dr. James Tyson and Dr. C. M. Harrison for their assistance and guidance throughout the course of this investigation and to Dr. R. L. Cook and Dr. J. F. Davis for their ready cooperation. The author is expecially grateful to his wife, Osa Verna Juska, for her faith and confidence. Felix Victor Juska candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy- Final examination: Dissertation: Thursday, May 12, 1955 The Competitive Relationship of Merion bluegrass as Influenced by Various Mixtures, Cutting Heights and Levels of Nitrogen Outline of Studies: Major subject: Soil Fertility Minor subjectst Farm Crops and Botany Biographical Items: Born: June 2, 1914, Chicago, Illinois Undergraduate studies: Graduate Studies: Experiences: Member of: Michigan State College, 1940-1946 Michigan State College, 1951-1952 Michigan State College, 1953-1955 Member of United States Army, 1943-1946 Vocational Agriculture Instructor, 1946-1950 Farmers Home Administration, U.S.D.A., 1950-1953 Alpha Zeta, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi TABLE OP CONTENTS Page I N T R O D U C T I O N .................................. 1 REVIEW OP L I T E R A T U R E ................................. 2 GREENHOUSE EXPERIMENTS 6 ............................... P r o c e d u r e ........................................ Results 6 ....................................... 10 Production of Clippings........... 15 Production of R h i z o m e s ...........................21 Production of R o o t s ............................ 2d Production of Top Growth 31 Discussion .......................... Summary and Conclusions FIELD EXPERIMENTS . . . . . . ............ 3b 38 ..................................... ij.0 P r o c e d u r e ........................................... 1+0 R e s u l t s .............. lj.5 D iscussion.............. 55 Summary and C o n c l u s i o n s ............................. 60 B I B L I O G R A P H Y ........................................... 62 A P P E N D I X ............................................... 61+ LIST OF TABLES PAGE TABLE I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. The Influence of three grass species- on the stand counts of Merion bluegrass under 11no cut” treatment harvested January 8-91 1 9 5 4 ................................... 11 The influence of three grass; species on the stand counts of Merion bluegrass under "no cut" treatment harvested February 1011, 1 9 5 4 ............................... 12 The influence of three grass species on the yields of Merionbluegrass under "no cut" treatment andharvested on March 25, 1954. 14 The influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen and two heights? of cut on the yield of clippings;.................. 16 The influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen and two heights of cut on the yield of Merion bluegrass; rhizomes . . , 22 The influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen and two cutting heights on the yield of roots ........................ 29 The influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen and two cutting heights on the percentage of Merion bluegrass tops at the end of the e x p e r i m e n t .......... . 32 The percentage of Merion bluegrass in field plots as determined by observational analysis on three different dates. . . . 47 The percentage of weeds occurring in pure species and mixtures under four different treatments in field plots.............. 54 The influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen and two heights of cutting on the yield of creeping red fescue top growth ................................. 64 LIST OF TABLES. (Continued) TABLE XI. XII. XIII. PAGE The Influence of mixture, two levels^ of nitrogen and two heights of cutting on the yield of creeping red fescue rhizomes;. 65 The Influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen and two cutting heights on the yield of redtop top g r o w t h .................66 The influence of mixture, two levels of nitrogen, and two cutting heights? on the yield of domestic ryegrass top growth. . . 6? LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1. PAGE Yield of clippings as influenced by two levels of nitrogen, two heights of cutting and various mixtures............ 17 Seven days recovery growth as influenced by two levels of nitrogen and two inch c u t t i n g ................................ 19 3. Seven days recovery growth as influenced by two levels of nitrogen when grass was cut to three-quarters of an inch . . . . 20 Yield of Merlon bluegrass rhizomes as influenced by two levels of nitrogen, two heights of cutting and mixtures . . . 23 2. b. 5. Merion bluegrass foliage, roots- and rhizomes; as influenced by various treatments . . . 2b 6. A fifty-fifty mixture of Merion bluegrass and creeping red fescue showing foliage, roots and rhizomes of e a c h ............ 25 7. A fifty-fifty mixture of Merlon bluegrass and redtop showing tops, roots- and rhizomes1................................ 26 8. A fifty-fifty mixture of Merion bluegrass and domestic ryegrass showing foliage, roots, and rhizomes..................... 27 9. Root production as influenced by two levels of nitrogen, two heights of cutting and various mixtures........................ 30 10. Graph showing weight of Merion bluegrass top1 growth at the end of the experiment in mixture with creeping red fescue, redtop and domestic ryegrass .................. 33 11. General view of field plots?............... b3 12. Illustration of relative growth of four species approximately seven weeks after s e e d i n g ................................. b6 LIST OF FIGURES (Continued) FIGURE 13. 14. 15. 16. PAGE Mixture of Merion bluegrass and creeping red fescue receiving high level of n i t r o g e n ............................ 49 Mixture of Merion bluegrass and creeping red fescue receiving a low level of n i t r o g e n ............................ 50 Mixture of Merion bluegrass and domestic ryegrass receiving a high level of n i t r o g e n ............................ 52 Mixture of Merion bluegrass and domestic ryegrass receiving a low level of n i t r o g e n ............................ 53 1 INTRODUCTION The increasing emphasis placed on the production of fine turf for lawns, golf courses, parks, playgrounds and many other uses, has led to many unanswered problems as to how such turf could be best established. The advent of Merion, a new strain of bluegrass, intensified the problems largely because of the scarcity and the high price of the seed. With the re­ lease of this new turfgrass, information as to seeding rate, cutting heights, fertilizer practices and Its reaction in mixtures was necessary to its proper establishment. The present investigations were conducted in the green­ house and field (1) In an attempt to answer the question as to what percentage of a grass seed mixture must be made up of Merion bluegrass seed in order to obtain satisfactory estab­ lishment of said bluegrass, and (2) to study the influence of cutting and fertilizer treatments on the. establishment and development of Merion bluegrass foliage, roots and rhizomes. 2 REVIEW OP LITERATURE The relationships that exist between fertility levels, height and frequency of cutting and their effects on the growth of grasses have been studied by many investigators. Comparatively few studied have been made on the competitive nature of grasses as used for turf purposes. As early as 1897, Crozier (2) of Michigan reported that orchard grass clipped seven times during a forty-five day period yielded only twenty-nine percent as much dried forage as did comparable material cut once at the conclusion of the experiment, Kuhn and Kemp (11) cut two strains of Kentucky bluegrass at five different heights and found that an increase in the severity of defoliation caused a similar and highly significant decrease in the production of roots, rhizomes and tops. Graber (5) and Hodgson (9) obtained a larger current production of grasses from frequent and close defoliation than from less defoliation with the same frequency but point out that a decline in productivity is certain, Harrison and Hodgson (8) studied the response of several grasses to cutting heights in the greenhouse. In nearly every case, the greatest yield of both top and subterranean growth was obtained from those plants that were not subjected to clipping treatments, Kentucky bluegrass withstood close cutting better than orchard grass, smooth bromegrass, quack grass and 3 timothy because it produced the most green leaves below the cutting height. In explaining the sensitivity of Dallis grass to frequent defoliation, Lovvorn (13) noted that very little photosynthetic area remained after clipping when com­ pared to Carpet grass which is decumbent. Working with native western grasses, Geraert (6) reports that the lowest production of root and top growth by weight came from plants clipped most frequently. Tyson (17) found that twice a week defoliation of Merion bluegrass at threequarters of an inch had no apparent detrimental effect on the turf produced when compared to that cut at one and one-half inches with the same frequency of cutting. Harrison (7) studied the response of bluegrass, fescue and bent under three cutting heights. He found that bluegrass produced fewer rhizomes when cut close and that the applica­ tion of fertilizer did not compensate for the lack of top growth in the production of roots. In studies with quackgrass, Johnson and Dexter (10) pointed out that with the repeated removal of top growth, previously stimulated with nitrogen, resulted in the plant drawing on its organic reserves for new plant growth. This treatment resulted in carbohydrate starva­ tion and eventual death of the plant. Plants starved for nitrogen stored carbohydrates in their underground parts under more severe cutting than did the plants with abundant nitrogen. k Graber (Ij.) found that the simple expediency of setting the lawn mower to cut "high" produced a thick turf free of weeds in contrast to one which was thin and weedy due to close clipping at the same frequency. Marked quantitative responses of root, rhizome and top growth of bluegrass, redtop, fescue and timothy are correlated with cutting treatments. The total top weight not only varied inversely with the frequency of cutting but reduced growth occurred for several months subsequent to excessive defoliation. Ni­ trogen may become the first limiting factor due to frequent defoliation of the photosynthetic surface but when regenera­ tion is constantly stimulated by nitrogen, the organic reserves are rapidly consumed with slight opportunity for replenishment thus often become the principal factor limiting growth. In the growth of grass, nitrogen and water were found to be the two most important limiting factors according to Mortimer and Ahlgren (l£). Working with several grasses in­ cluding bluegrass, redtop, ryegrass and fescue, Carroll (1) noted that the areas of these grasses treated with high nitro­ gen were less able to withstand drought than the same species with low nitrogen. The least injured were bluegrass, fescue, and two species of bent. In a study of the competitive nature of Kentucky bluegrass, Chewings fescue, domestic ryegrass and redtop, not subject to cutting treatments, Erdmann and Harrison (3) compared the growth of individual grasses when sown in mixtures with their 5 growth when sown alone. Domestic ryegrass inhibited the growth of Kentucky bluegrass, Chewings fescue, and redtop. Redtop inhibited the growth of Kentucky bluegrass and Chewings fescue but not to the same extent as domestic ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass and Chewings fescue did not compete unfavorably with each other but neither did the total production of plant tissue increase when the two species were grown together in mixture# Morrish and Harrison (llj.) in a study on wear resistance of various grasses and grass legume mixtures found that domes­ tic ryegrass had completely disappeared in a mixture of Kentucky bluegrass, redtop and Chewings fescue after two to three years. However, the death of the domestic ryegrass left a poorly filled in turf. Redtop remained in all of the mixtures in which it was originally planted. 6 GREENHOUSE EXPERIMENTS Procedure Merion bluegrass, a strain of Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis. creeping red fescue Festuca rubra var, genuine. redtop Agrostis alba, and domestic ryegrasses Loliurn multiflorum and perenne in pure species and various mixtures were used for this experiment conducted at Michigan State College, East Lansing, Michigan. The seedings were made in the greenhouse in quartz sand in ten inch clay pots at the rate of one pound per 1,000 square feet on November 17, 1953* In order to insure a uniform dis­ tribution, the seed was mixed with a small amount of sand be­ fore sowing. The cultures consisted of the four pure species sown alone and 16 different mixtures. The greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approxi­ mately 65° P. except during a few sunny days in March when the temperature occasionally went as high as 8£° F. One culture each of the four pure species and 16 mixtures were put together as a group. Five such groups were set up and one group each received one of the following management treatments, (a) three-quarters inch cut, high nitrogen, (b) three-quarters inch cut, low nitrogen, (c) two inch cut, high nitrogen, (d) two inch cut, low nitrogen, and (e) no 7 cutting with medium fertility* three replications was used* A split plot design with This made a total of three hundred cultures. The cultures were watered as needed and after emergence supplied with a three salt nutrient solution (12)* The amount of nutrient solution per culture was regulated with a fair degree of accuracy by adjusting the shut-off valve from the supply tank to a counting rate so that the desired number of cubic centimeters of nutrient solution were applied weekly to all cultures until February 1, 195k * after which time differential amounts were applied to the cultures receiving the high and low nitrogen. Beginning on December 21, 1953$ a solution of ammonium sulfate was used from time to time for the cultures receiving high nitrogen in amounts varying from 50 to 250 pounds of ammonium sulfate per acre. The sand in which the cultures were growing was occasion­ ally flushed with water to prevent excessive accumulation of salts. An attempt was made to keep the cultures receiving low nitrogen as close as possible to zero parts per million and the high nitrogen level at 25 or more parts per million of a soluble nitrogen as was indicated by the Spurway and Lawton (16) green tissue test. Weekly tissue tests were made by using one-half gram of finely cut plant tissue in thirteen cubic centimeters of distilled water which was shaken one minute. After filtering, the extract was used to test for nitrate nitrogen. 8 Except for the "no cut" cultures, defoliation of the grass at the designated heights of two inches and of threequarters of an inch was initiated on December 12, 1953• Cutting was accomplished by means of grass shears and con­ tinued at weekly intervals until March 20, 195>lj., at which time the treatments were discontinued and harvest started. Stand counts were made on January 8 and February 10 respectively on two groups of 20 cultures each of the "no cut" treatment. The determinations were accomplished by counting the species present in a portion of the culture. In order to accurately divide the culture, a steel band that fitted snugly around the top of the pot was used. Holes were located in the band so that by inserting two stiff wires through the band, a portion of one-sixteenth, one-eighth or one-fourth of a culture could be obtained. The total for each species in the entire culture was then determined by multiplication of the fraction counted. The tops of the cultures subjected to cutting treatments were hand separated by species at'harvest time as they were clipped from the roots. The sand was carefully washed away from the roots and rhizomes by a stream of water from a gardenhose nozzle. Washing was done over a three-sixteenth inch mesh wire screen. Special care was taken to prevent loss of root fragments. Oven-dry weights were recorded for tops, and rhizomes. roots, It was found that even after careful washing, some of the cultures contained sand and small pebbles entwined 9 in the roots* In order to secure more accurate results, the roots were oven-dried and then ashed at 600° F* in a muffle furnace* Root weights were obtained by subtracting the weight of ash and sand from the oven-dried weight* 10 Results A stand, count of the initial seedling establishment was made January 8 and 9, 1951|., on one culture each of the four pure species and the sixteen different mixtures. After the stand count determination, the sand was washed from the roots and tops and weighed separately. The weights were re­ corded on an oven-dry basis as shown in Table I, The tops of the individual species were not separated during this procedure. The second group of twenty cultures of "no cut" treat­ ment were harvested in a similar manner and stand counts were made on February 10 and 11, 1951+. in Table II, These results are presented During the four weeks period that intervened between the first and second harvest, a considerable increase in top and root weights occurred. In comparing the stand counts of Merion bluegrass made on January 8 and 9, Table I, with those made on February 10 and 11, Table II, it will be noted that there was an increase in the number of Merion bluegrass plants in some of the cultures and a decrease in others. The results of the stand counts indicate that red- top, domestic ryegrass and creeping red fescue each exert a definite depression on the number of Merion bluegrass plants established. It became very difficult to count individual plants accurately because of the tillering which had occurred. Since the amount of tillering and growth from rhizome tips 11 01 a US GQ Pi O EH • 00 • • • • • « • • • i—1 rH • CM ON 00 • CM -=J‘ • CM On ON • ON ON ON • CM CM CM 00 co ON ON • rH ON • H 00 00 00 O -d' O -S' -3" o CO O o O CM CM CM ' co CM O UNCO UN ON rH C '-U N U ' o • ON • rH CM -3" -3" rH CM CM CM CM CM CM ON CM CM O ' CN- cq p o o Pi ,p •H © ON.cfr CM O ' O CO NO ON rH ONrH ONnO O ' H O O U* O C 'N C N C '-.j- O CO CM NO O (N • • • • H (M 41 • • • • • • • rH rH rH CM CM CM rH • • • rH ON CM • ON • rH IQ GO CO p © CO NO >> & P o O UN p d •P a) Pi o (!) 09 o 00 d C to CD P si CO p -3- NO 20 bO 20 ON THE STAND COUNTS HARVESTED JANUARY 8-9, iTirl• 00 • • p •H p THE INFLUENCE OF THREE GRASS SPECIES OF MERION BLUEGRASS UNDER "NO CUT" TREATMENT H• 8 195^ p o CO ON CM 0 ° MD NO CM CO U ' NO CM -3- CM ON rH O 00 ^3- uh cm no CM CN- CM oo -3" CM NO CM 00 rH UN 00 UN 0r ' -3- CM O- CM Cn- CM ON CM NO O CM O CM 00 -3- -3- CM oncn- o n o u> 00 rH 00 00 NO C° CM ON CM CM CM r-H CM H CM r -3 -3rH CM n j- UN i—1 rH 00 o ON -3 ’ CO 00 Si CO O CO •rH p P bo (19 © CM ON ON o CM ON CM S 2 rH 0Q • • • 1 • • • • • • o •o rH P PI © C P © Pi go © p d p X O O •o O ~ rH rH © • O O OOO rH ON U N O - O ' H © d «c • fc © GQ at •'O N GQ •>UN 03 © -m © Pi © POP •> to - 01 ©© © © P © P d dd d 0 O c ©c o o P GQ GQ 01 © o 0 o O H o ON O U> 8Q M GQ 09 b O P b lip ©d © d © >» © P P P P P ©© © © © CQ •> 01 •> 01 *> © © 0 3 © G Q © 0 Q © G 2 © M d © d © d © d © d © c p c p c p c p q p oi bO oiho oi bO GQho w bo © © © © © © © © © © j^-l >jCw 5 • © P P P P P •* • © <4-1 P p bl o o o o o o o o o o o O •' o O -* o • * o • % © On O - UN ONrH ON ON O-C'-UNU' U N O O N O O N O O - o ao bO d rH i— 1 CM rH © ©o UN •k •k •h d P o P in • 01 •k GQ m rH rH GQ GQ GO 09 03 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 - CO © GQ GQ GQ CO GQ oi gq oioi m oi 01 P 01 P GO P TO P co P s ■*■H © © © © © © © ro© © © © o © O © o © O © o C -H P P P P P P P p p p p p p p p P P p p p p P P o p o © b 0 b 0 b 0 b 0 b £ | bO bO bO bO bO hfl b O d bO 'd b o d b O d b O d •H © P © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © P © d 6 d d dd 3 d d P d P d p d P d p rH rH i— i rH © P © o r l H H H r l rH rH rH rH rH rH rH qq qq qq S O P l f i qq qq qq qq qq pq qq qqqq cq cq PQ cQ • H • * • CM ON-3- rl H rH rl H H • • NO CN- 00 rH rH rH • • o\ rH • o CM 12 4 VO 4-HvOvO nO O CO V O O ON • o EH CT\ • • ON O O • H rl rH rH O-nO CO COCOCOH ONCM O N O O N 04 O- CONO COO- VP • • • • • • • • • On vo • iH • 00 ON0-00 o- O-CO 0 O O P 1 r l rl rH CQ 4-1 I O o Q ft a » a IQ +5 p PQ a a Eh o H NO VO CM 4 4 4 CM CM NO O H oH o H 4-ONOCM4- CM O- 4 CM O CO co NO C M 4 O- O n CM nO CMNO CMNO O NO NO o s f t >* 0 ft d d d d d d •k •«k .••» d bfl •- O .- o •^ O •0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o bD^d o n O - V O C O H O n O n O - Cn - v o u n v o o c o o c o o o - o a o v o 0 0 • v « k • s • k • k « k • k « « k • k • « • • k • k • k 1 — 1 CM H rH ps d o d «s 0 «fc 0 •k »» 0 •k 0 rH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o bD »— 1 c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ft 0 ft 0 ft 0 ft W ft o •s•H 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 O 0 O 0 O 0 O d d P d P d P d ft f t p id d Id Sd d d id Id d d d d P d p o ft o 0 bO bO bO bO W bO bO bO bO bO b£ b D » d b O i S b O l S bD t S b e d •H . 0 p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 d © £ ps PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS PS d 3 d PS d PS d PS d 1— 1 rH rH H 0 d 0 O r— 1 <— 1 rl H rl H H i— 1 rl H i— 1 tH PQ PQ CQ a u a q cq cQ cq pq oq PQ CQ CQ PQ CQ PQ PQ PQ • •O o rl @ o 4 PS a ft CM 00 00 4 CM CM o qq 00 O CM co o CO co co ft 0-1 P *d 0 *d d C O a ft £3 Cm ft O ft w S3 £2 CO CM ft o o ft Q o a o a • o H • d ft ft co a EH pq « o H VO C Q CQ 8 pel O CO • 4- a <$ a O • 16 cn • (§ 00 O -3- COO' ON4 r l VOr l COH r l COONCM CO CMH IN 4 nO o 0 - 4 o 00 CO-4- -4- CH 00 CM • 10 ft 16 w • H • • • • « * o H • « CMCO4- • • • • • U N N O 0 - 0 0 ON •o * o • o UN rl CO 4 % • *>o O o i— 1 0 C O 0 V O 0 — 0 •» 0 •* 0 f t 0 ft 0 ft 0 o d o d O d p bO ft b O P b£ *d 0 >d 0 >d 0 © >» 0 >s 0 >5 d d d d d d • O • H rH rH • • • • • CM ( 0 - 4 v o N O rH r-i rH rH H . H • 00 H • a\ rH • o CM 13 would have made counting more difficult with the passage of time, the stand-count method was abandoned. The tops of the remainder of the cultures were hand separated as to species and weights recorded on an oven-dry basis. The final weights for tops, roots and rhizomes for the "no cut" treatments are given in Table III, Soon after emer­ gence, the vigorous growth habit of domestic ryegrass was apparent as indicated by thick coarse stems and broad leaves* Many of the culms headed out previous to harvest, which was not the case with the other three grasses. The largest weight of top growth was produced by domestic ryegrass, lj.6 .lij. grams, followed by redtop with 29*34 grams, Merion bluegrass and creeping red fescue tops weighed about the same, 26,23 and 26.70 grams respectively. Redtop in mixture with Merion bluegrass appeared to have the most depressing effect on the production of Merion bluegrass tops and rhizomes. It will be noted, in cultures numbered 7, lij.* an<* 15 which contained fifty percent of creeping red fescue, redtop and domestic ryegrass, respectively, that creeping red fescue had the lease depressing effect on Merion bluegrass rhizome yields followed by ryegrass and redtop* The use of domestic ryegrass in mixture with Merion bluegrass resulted in a greater total root weight per culture than did the similar use of redtop when seeded in the same amounts on a weight basis. Domestic ryegrass apparently did not depress rhizome development of the bluegrass as much as did redtop. Ik 0 © 0 B u O a N •H a •sH a -P ai 0 b( -p o (D o a a 0 s -3vo ON VO CM W o a •*! K • vO rH ON CM 0 - 0 • « • « « « co v o cm CONO O vQ O N v r\a H -3CM CM CM CM CM rH rH rH CM CM CM CO On v o vp o--^- cma a * • • • • • • • vo COCO pH CM H 0) 3 bO Q H o W M M 0 a a 05 ft ^ S a 0 Q a 01 0 a w a a a 01 EH oi S 01 a 3 * O c 6 o 3 o 0 Eh a „ a o o -p a b£ •H 0 0 a o a w w Q o a a § a a a w a M w a a a eh a a o CM • rH CM NO NO « VO O-d- VO o vo • • -3- a H O CN• ON H CM a H NO H CM • a H -3- ON • NO ON • H • CO H o o• ON a • a a CM a ■ CM CM • O -3" 0 • * 0 •vQQ •»(Q * 0 « 0 -0 •ft • i—1 o •t o o 0 0 0 0 0 ft 0 ft 0 f t ro 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 H 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 0 3 O 3 3 0 30 3 0 3 0 3 0 o 0 • C 3 O3 C 3 C 3 H 3 o o O p -P bOP bOP II o 0 0 0 0 0 *d 0 «d 0 >d 0 s 0 bO 0 bO 0 & £ bO 0 bO 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 !>s 0 >> © 0 0 Cm t>j >, 3 *M fc'sVt 0 0 0 3 3 3 Vt 3 3 3 3 3 3 & 0 Cm 3 3 3 3 3 • f t•■ »• f t•« b£ ft«k •« ft) O • * v Q • • 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o - - o --o boa O n O n O - O -VP\VP VOO COO c o o c^-ocoxr\ 0 0 >; ONO-VOCOH f t• f t • * II * —CM *H »i—i « *H 3 3 O 3 «l •ft • > 0 - OQ « CQ * 0 » to • 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 H o 0 ft to ft ra ft to ftffl ft a bOH O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 o 0 o 0 O 0 O ■H 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 -P ^ P 3 p ftp ft-p 3r H ftp 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 53 0 o ft o bO bO bO bO b£ bO bO bO bO bO bfl bOH b o d bOd bod he'd •H 0 -p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ftt 0 - 0 0 percent domestic ryegrass produced a consistent increase in the number of individual Merion bluegrass plants from January to February in the three mixtures* (b) In mixture with 10, 30 > and 5>0 percent redtop the number of Merion bluegrass plants in the 10 percent mixture increased and those for both the 30 and $0 percent mixtures decreased from January to February. (c) Merlon bluegrass in mixture with 10, 30 and 50 percent creeping red fescue produced a decrease in the num­ ber of plants for both the 10 and 50 percent mixtures and an Increase for the 30 percent mixture from January to February. 35 A similar comparison on a weight basis of the last group of no cutting cultures harvested on March 25, indi­ cated that redtop was somewhat more competitive when higher percentages of seed were used than either creeping red fescue and domestic ryegrass. (Table III) The last two species appeared to be approximately equal in their competitive be­ havior with Merion bluegrass in the mixtures that were com­ pared. A comparison was made between mixtures receiving a low level of nitrogen with high cutting and their effect on the reduction of Merion bluegrass rhizomes. bered In the mixtures num­ 10, and 11, containing ten percent of creeping red fescue, redtop and domestic ryegrass respectively, it was found the redtop inhibited rhizome production to the greatest extent. (Table V and Figure If.) Domestic ryegrass and creeping red fescue were approximately equal in their com­ petitive effect on Merion bluegrass. A similar comparison of cultures containing 30 and 5>0 percent each of the three species in mixture with Merion bluegrass resulted in a re­ duction of rhizomes in a descending order, beginning with redtop, domestic ryegrass and creeping red fescue. In general, It may be stated that this same relationship existed with respect to Merion bluegrass rhizome production for both levels of nitrogen and both heights of cut. The difference between the two levels of nitrogen and between the two heights of cutting on root production was 36 highly significant. It will be noted from Table VI that both high nitrogen and low cutting treatments had an adverse effect on root production. The cultures receiving high nitrogen favored growth of the tops with a reduction of rhizomes and roots. (See A and D in Figures 5» 6, ?, and 8.) The cultures which were not cut produced the largest amounts of roots and rhizomes at harvest time followed in turn by the cultures receiving a low level of nitrogen and high cutting. Figure 9 expresses graphically the yields of roots and the relationship of the treatments. Redtop planted alone tended to produce more root weight with low cutting than did domestic ryegrass. Redtop and domestic ryegrass seeded-alone produced approximately the same amount of roots with the high cut treatment. The top growth of Merion bluegrass was inhibited in mixture with creeping red fescue, redtop and domestic rye­ grass, although the degree of competition varied between species. (See Table Vll). of Merion bluegrass In a comparison of the weight top growth in mixture with 10, 30 and 50 percent each of the three species, redtop appeared to be the most competitive. Increasing the proportion of red fescue seed caused a proportional decrease in the weight of Merlon bluegrass top growth. 37 According to the work of Graber (J4.) the reduction of the photosynthetic area of the plant decreased the production of carbohydrates. A high level of nitrogen further de­ creased the carbohydrate reserves due to the regeneration of top growth at a rapid rate. The rapid growth of the por­ tion above the ground used organic reserves more rapidly than they could be manufactured by the photosynthetic areas. This explains why the high level nitrogen treatment in con­ junction with low cutting reduced Merion bluegrass rhizome production to the greatest extent. (See A and D in Figures $ 9 6, 7, and 8.) During the early part of the experiment, the cultures which received a high level of nitrogen were lighter green in color than were the cultures supplied with a low level of nitrogen. The light green color of the cultures re­ ceiving a high level of nitrogen occurred in January when there was less daylight and sunshine. As the days lengthened and sunshine increased, these cultures became dark green. It was noted that the plants in the cultures receiving low nitrogen were yellow with stiff erect stems and leaves. These plants produced top growth at a progressively reduced rate until only a small amount of clippings were being re­ moved at the end of the experiment, however, these same plants were storing carbohydrates at a rapid rate as was indicated by the development of roots and rhizomes. 38 Summary and Conclusions A study was mad© to determine the competitive behavior of Merion bluegrass as influenced by various mixtures con­ taining red fescue, redtop and domestic ryegrass when sub­ jected to two levels of nitrogen, two heights of cutting and no cutting with medium fertility. The results of the greenhouse investigation are summarized as follows: 1* The greatest yield of clippings over a four months period was produced by the cultures supplied with high nitrogen and cut at two inches. When cut at three-quarters of an inch the yields were approximately one-half but still greater than those supplied with low nitrogen. In the cul­ tures supplied with low nitrogen, both high and low cutting produced approximately the same amount of clippings. 2. High nitrogen and close cutting had an inhibiting effect on root production. 3. Where the grasses were left uncut, redtop appeared to have the most depressing effect on Merion bluegrass top and rhizome production. Creeping red fescue and domestic ryegrass were approximately equal in their competitive effect. [j.. Production of Merion bluegrass rhizomes under high nitrogen and low cutting was practically negligible indicating that close and frequent cutting of the photosynthetic area coupled with added nitrogen resulted in severe carbohydrate 39 depletion. The cultures receiving low nitrogen and higher cut produced the greatest yield of rhizomes. 5* In the production of Merion bluegrass top growth, highly significant results were obtained between the two levels of nitrogen and two cutting heights. Redtop appeared to have the most depressing effect on Merion bluegrass. Creeping red fescue and domestic ryegrass were approximately equal in their competitive behavior. Uo FIELD EXPERIMENTS Procedure The field experiment to study the interrelations of seed mixtures, heights of cutting, and levels of nitrogen nutrition on the establishment and growth of Merion blue­ grass was located on the College Farm, East Lansing, Michi­ gan, on Conover loam soil of pH 6.5 and medium fertility. This soil had been used for the production of bromegrass and clover hay for several years prior to seeding. The field was spring plowed in 1953 and harrowed twice before the preparation of the area for the experimental plots. The soil in the experimental area, 80 by 100 feet, was prepared by harrowing and cultipacking in August of 1953* A handrake was then used to remove the stones and smooth the seedbed. This area was divided into two parallel strips each lj.0 by 100 feet. The entire area received a broadcast appli­ cation of 500 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per acre and one half of one of the strips, 20 by 100 feet, received an addi­ tional application of 200 pounds of ammonium sulfate per acre before seeding. This half of each strip was then maintained as the high nitrogen treatment and the other half as the low nitrogen treatment. kl The two strips, lj.0 by 100 feet, were each divided into ten plots, each 10 by 0 feet in dimension, making a total of twenty such plots* One pure species or one of the 16 seed mixtures was planted in an individual 10 by ij.0 foot plot* These plots were separated from each other by four inch boards to prevent blending of seeds between plots. The seed for each of the mixtures was calculated on a percentage basis by weight and seeded at the rate of one pound for each 1,000 square feet of area. The seed for each plot was mixed with a gallon of screened soil and sown by hand on September 7, 1953* Each of the plots was then lightly handraked and rolled. The four inch boards used to divide the pure species and mixtures were removed in the spring. The grasses were quite well established by early spring although some heaving had occurred. The plots were rolled to smooth the surface and firm the soil around the roots of the plants. Mowing of the plots was initiated on April 19, 195>1|.» at which time the entire area was mowed uniformly at the height of two inches, after which one half of each of the IjjO by 100 foot strips was mowed at a height of one and onehalf inches and the other at three-quarters of an inch through­ out the season. The division was made so each height of cut treatment included half of the high and half of the low nitrogen plots on each seeding treatment. The plots were mowed at weekly intervals until May 26 after which they were lj-2 mowed twice weekly. After August 1, the plots were again mowed weekly until the last cutting of the year on October 2k, 195k* Figure 11 shows a general view of the field plots. The fertilizer treatments used to maintain the high and low levels of nitrogen in 195k were as follows: ten pounds of ammonium sulfate per 1,000 square feet were ap­ plied on the plots receiving high nitrogen on March 28, 195k • In all applications of ammonium sulfate, sand was used to increase the bulk for more even distribution. Activated sewage of 6-lj-0 analysis was used in June at the rate of thirty pounds for the high nitrogen plots and 15 pounds for the low nitrogen plots. The last application of ammonium sulfate was made on September 8, 195kt the rate of five pounds for each 1,000 square feet on the plots with high level nitrogen. The line transect method for botanical analysis was used to obtain the initial population establishment for each of the species. A line was laid diagonally across the plots from corner to corner under which the population counts were mad®. This method was discontinued the following spring as being impractical to use for a dense turf. Observational analysis for estimating the percentage of species present was used for making a botanical analysis of the mixtures. The unit of estimation was an area of one square foot placed at four different places on the turf of *+3 Fig. 11. General view of field plots. October 19, 195*0 (Photographed on Uk different plots# These four estimations were averaged to obtain the botanical estimation of the species present. Es­ timations were made on April 22, June 22, and October 26. The last estimation was made independently by two observers and the average of the two recorded. Results Figure 12 illustrates the relative growth of each of the four species approximately seven weeks after seeding# Data presented in Table VIII show the percentage estimations obtained by observational analysis of Merion bluegrass present in the various mixtures. The mixtures numbered £, 6, 7, 8, and 9, contain ten, thirty, fifty, seventy and ninety percent red fescue respectively. A study of the four treatments for these mixtures indicate the following results: (l) the percentage of Merion bluegrass shows a consistent increase for the high nitrogen treatments and the two heights of cutting except in one case; (2) the results tend to be oppo­ site for the low nitrogen treatment, particularly when the grass was cut high. (See Figures 13 and lif.) In the mixtures of redtop and Merion bluegrass numbered 10, 12 and 14, containing ten, thirty and fifty percent redtop respectively, the percentage of Merion bluegrass present was greater under a high level of nitrogen than where the nitro­ gen level was low. The results are inconsistent although Merion bluegrass in mixture with redtop appeared to do better when cut high than when cut low. In the two heights of cutting and low nitrogen, Merion bluegrass showed an increase in two cases. In general, redtop In mixture appeared to have an inhibiting effect on Merlon bluegrass growth. 46 / Fig. 12. Illustrating the relative growth of the four species approximately seven weeks after seeding. (Photographed October 23, 1953) 1. 2. 3. 4. Merlon bluegrass Creeping red fescue Redtop Domestic ryegrass ^7 TABLE VIII PERCENTAGE OF MERION BLUEGRASS IN FIELD PLOTS AS DETER­ MINED BY OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS ON THREE DIFFERENT •DATES Mixtures in percent High Nitrogen Treatment inch cut________ Merion bluegrass, 100 . . . Creeping red fescue, 100 Redtop, 100 Domestic ryegrass, 100 . . Bluegrass, 90; fescue, 10 . Bluegrass, 70; fescue, 30 . Bluegrass, 50; fescue, 50 . Bluegrass, 30; fescue, 70 . Bluegrass, 1 0 ; fescue, 90 . 1 0 . Bluegrass, 90; redtop, 10 . 1 1. Bluegrass, 90; ryegrass, 10 1 2. Bluegrass, 70; redtop, 30 . 13. Bluegrass, 70; ryegrass, 30 14. Bluegrass, 50; redtop, 50 . 15. Bluegrass, 50; ryegrass, 50 16. Bluegrass, 50; fescue, 30; redtop, 10; ryegrass, 10 . 17. Bluegrass, 30; fescue, 30; redtop, 20; ryegrass, 20 . Bluegrass, 30; fescue, 50; redtop, 10; ryegrass, 10 . 19. Bluegrass, 70; fescue, 10; redtop, 10; ryegrass, 10 . 20. Bluegrass, 80; fescue, 10; redtop, 5 ; ryegrass, 5 . . 1 00 t— June Oct.* 100 100 100 88 64 58 39 6 95 85 73 65 20 • 81 93 50 70 31 55 92 40 15 10 2 85 90 40 85 25 60 95 96 25 93 45 85 • 43 45 30 • 23 34 30 • 25 17 32 e 66 63 73 • 80 87 78 • • « • • • e e • e • • • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. April ^Average of two independent observations. 48 TABLE VIII (Continued) HlRh NitroRen (cont*d) f" cut Oct .* April June Low NitroRen Treatment U " cut cut April June Oct.* April June Oct.* 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 97 50 20 15 3 85 95 50 85 20 80 93 85 78 73 38 90 98 50 93 43 85 89 48 40 27 6 81 92 49 67 13 69 93 30 5 5 1 80 85 30 80 5 70 83 58 35 25 10 80 99 28 91 33 80 91 66 43 27 12 85 92 36 80 14 60 85 40 10 5 1 75 80 20 75 5 50 83 45 25 8 3 70 99 18 86 25 75 46 47 38 34 45 33 33 29 28 28 40 40 23 28 20 20 32 18 28 35 36 29 22 22 21 24 10 67 65 72 64 69 63 60 62 48 78 83 78 77 78 64 74 66 49 100 100- 95 63 44 27 8 90 94 51 73 17 42 ' 49 ,'f.sH..' iif HBM9 Fig, 13. Top: High nitrogen treatment. Three-quarters inch cut on the left and one and one-half inch cut on the right. Mixture seeded was thirty percent Merlon bluegrass and seventy percent creeping red fescue. Bottom: Same cutting and nitrogen treatments but mixture seeded was fifty percent bluegrass and fifty percent red fescue. Contrast this photograph with Fig. 14. (Photographed on October 19, 1954) 50 Fig, 1^. Top: Low nitrogen treatment. One and onehalf inch cut on left and three-quarters inch cut on right. Mixture seeded was thirty percent bluegrass and seventy percent red fescue. Bottom: Same cutting and nitrogen treatments but mixture seeded was fifty percent bluegrass and fifty percent red fescue. Note Infestation of weeds and a higher percentage of red fescue than under the high nitrogen treatment shown in Fig. 13. (Photographed on October 19, 195^) 51 In the mixtures numbered 11, 13 'and 15, containing ten, thirty and fifty percent domestic ryegrass, Merion bluegrass showed consistent gains over the domestic rye­ grass as indicated when the first and last determinations are compared. The decrease in the stand of domestic rye­ grass in these mixtures was quite apparent in the field. (Figures 15 and 16.) The last five mixtures, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, contain all four species of Merion bluegrass, creeping red fescue, redtop and domestic ryegrass in various mixtures. The results were inconsistent in the high nitrogen and two heights of cutting. In the two heights of cutting and low nitrogen treatments, a decrease in the percentage of Merion bluegrass resulted in all mixtures. * Table IX gives an estimation analysis in percentage of weeds present in each of the plots on October 26, 195ii* It will be noted that the largest percentage of weeds occurred in the low nitrogen treatment and low cutting. In the pure species, the proportion of weeds to turf was greatest for domestic ryegrass followed by red fescue. These two species tend to grow in tufts thus allowing more weeds to appear. Mixtures of Merion bluegrass and domestic ryegrass had a higher weed infestation than any of the other mixtures. 52 :fesgas S M ; w fet-r B H H m K ® ■■ r a s Fig. 15. Top: High nitrogen treatment. Three-quarters inch cut on left and one and one-half inch rut on right. Mixture seeded was seventy percent bluegrass and thirty percent ryegrass. Bottom: Same cutting and nitrogen treatments but mixture seeded was seventy percent bluegrass and thirty percent redtop. Contrast this photograph with Fig. 16. (Photographed on October 19, 195*0 53 M t e Fig. 16. Top: Low nitrogen treatment. One end onehalf incjj cut on the left and three-quarters Inch cut on right. Mixture seeded was seventy percent bluegrass and thirty percent ryegrass. Note infestation of weeds and coarseness of turf. Bottom: Same cutting and nitrogen treatments but mixture seeded was seventy percent blueghass and thirty percent redtop. (Photographed on October 19, 195^) 54 TABLE IX PERCENTAGE* OF WEEDS OCCURRING IN PURE SPECIES AND MIXTURES UNDER FOUR DIFFERENT TREATMENTS IN FIELD rLOTS Mixtures in percent 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 13* 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. * _________Treatments____________ Nitrogen-High Nitrogen-Low lg-”cut 3A "cut 3/4 out 1-411cut Merion bluegrass,100 . . . 0 Creeping red fescue,100. . 2 Redtop,100 . ............ 0 Domestic ryegrass,100. . . 8 Bluegrass,90; fescue,10. . 0 Bluegrass,70; fescue,30. . 0 Bluegrass,50; fescue,50. . 0 Bluegrass,30; fescue,70. . 0 Bluegrass,10; fescue,90. . 1 Bluegrass,90; redtop,10. . 0 Bluegrass,90; ryegrass,10. 1 Bluegrass,70; redtop,30. . 0 Bluegrass,70; ryegrass,30. 2 Bluegrass,50; redtop,50. . 0 Bluegrass,50; ryegrass,50. 5 Bluegrass,50; fescue,30; redtop,10; ryegrass,10 . l Bluegrass,30; fescue,30; redtop,20; ryegrass,20 . l Bluegrass,30; fescue,50; redtop,10; ryegrass,10 . l Bluegrass,70; fescue,10; redtop,10; ryegrass,10 . 0 Bluegrass,80; fescue,10; redtop, 5 ; ryegrass,5. • l 0 3 0 10 0 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 5 1 10 1 5 3 20 3 3 3 5 8 2 10 5 10 5 15 3 3 2 18 2 2 3 4 6 4 25 4 10 5 14 2 5 3 2 5 4 1 3 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 Average of two independent observations. 55 Discussion The four species seeded varied in the length of time required for germination. Domestic ryegrass and redtop were first to germinate followed by red fescue and Merion blue­ grass. The fast germinating species, due to their initial rapid growth, soon dominated the mixtures in which they oc­ curred. Seven weeks after seeding, redtop and domestic ryegrass formed a thick heavy growth; on the same date Merion bluegrass and red fescue formed only sparse to medium ground cover. The sparse cover formed by the slow growth of Merion bluegrass and red fescue was still evident the fol­ lowing spring. It was not until April, 195U-* when mowing was initiated, that Merion bluegrass and red fescue began to compete on a more favorable basis with domestic ryegrass and redtop. Mowing all of the species at the designated heights aided the slower growing grasses in their competitive ability. The cutting treatments were more harmful to domestic ryegrass especially when cut at a height of three-quarters of an inch. By fall, domestic ryegrass was rapidly disappearing from the mixtures leaving open spaces in the turf which was formerly occupied by domestic ryegrass. (See Figures 15 and 16.) The domestic ryegrass in the mixture was bunchy and formed a rough appearing turf. In many cases it was diffi­ cult to cut off all of the seed stalks as they formed thus 56 adding to the poor appearance of the turf. The plots con­ taining only ten percent domestic ryegrass with the remainder Merion bluegrass appeared to be the least desirable from an appearance standpoint. This amount of domestic ryegrass appeared to be more noticeable than when a larger percentage was included in the mixture because of the bunchier appearance. Merion bluegrass was more competitive in mixture with the other species under the high level of nitrogen than under a low level of nitrogen. The low level nitrogen plots of Merion bluegrass in mixture with the other species or when seeded alone had not grown sufficiently in height to be cut at the one and one-half inch level by July 1. Merion bluegrass receiving low nitrogen and low cutting made slow growth also but because of low cutting treatment reached the three-quarters inch height much sooner. The turf formed was patchy and failed to grow and spread as rapidly as that in the plots which received the high level of nitrogen. The plots receiving high nitrogen were greener than those with low and made more rapid recovery after cutting. By the fall of 195ij., the plots seeded with Merion bluegrass alone and maintained at a low nitrogen level had not completely covered the area. This would indicate that for the best establish­ ment of Merion bluegrass, a high level of nitrogen should be maintained. The observational estimations taken in June of the per­ centage of Merion bluegrass present in the mixtures were lower 57 in some cases than either of the other two estimations. This difference can be accounted for in part by the slower growth of the Merion bluegrass when under low fertility. The other species may have established themselves somewhat sooner and under the dry conditions of May and June were more apparent than Merion bluegrass. Redtop appeared to be the most competitive species when sown with Merion bluegrass. This may be due to the greater number of individual seeds planted rather than to the greater competitive ability of the species. Merion bluegrass was able to compete more favorably with redtop when a high level of nitrogen was maintained. The height of cutting did not appear to affect the competitive behavior of either Merion bluegrass or redtop; both of these species appear to maintain a thick dense turf when cut at three-quarters of an inch. Redtop and Merion bluegrass mixtures formed a dense, neat appearing turf when sufficient moisture was present. During dry periods, redtop had a tendency to turn yellow and, unless water was supplied, imparted a yellow color to the turf which was not desirable. The yellow color was very noticeable when a higher percentage of redtop was included in the mixtures, especially at the low nitrogen level. The percentage composition of Merion bluegrass in mixture with red fescue decreased when a low level of nitro­ gen was maintained. This was especially true under the high cut treatment. During the dry period of the summer, 58 creeping red fescue at low cutting and under both levels of nitrogen turned quite yellow and crabgrass began making its appearance# Red fescue was less able to withstand cutting at three-quarters of an inch and consequently, did not do as well* In seeding either Merion bluegrass or red fescue for lawn purposes, the level of fertility that is maintained should be kept in mind when making a choice between them. In the early stages of growth, especially in the spring of the first year of establishment, creeping red fescue and Merion bluegrass were apparently about equally competitive. However, creeping red fescue seemed to grow better than Merion bluegrass, under midsummer conditions with moisture a deficiency, as shown by the marked decrease of Merion bluegrass in all plots containing more than ten percent creeping red fescue. But under the cool, moist conditions in the fall Merion bluegrass made much more vigorous growth than fescue, the percentages of Merion bluegrass increasing over those present earlier in the season, A comparison of the percentages of Merion bluegrass in the plots containing mixtures of 10 percent of redtop, rye­ grass, or red fescue indicated that redtop depressed the establishment of the Merion bluegrass in the early stages more than ryegrass or red fescue, but that the Merion blue­ grass was able to survive and overcome this handicap by October of 195i+, under the high nitrogen, high cut treatment. 59 The establishment of Merion bluegrass was seriously delayed in plots containing 30 and 50 percent of either redtop, ryegrass or red fescue. Redtop impaired the establishment of Merion bluegrass- to the greatest extent . Under high nitrogen levels and high out, Merion bluegrass became better established if no other grass seed was planted with it, however, mixtures not to exceed 10 percent of ryegrass or redtop apparently only delayed its establishment during the first season, and the Merion bluegrass predominated by fall. Merion bluegrass establishment under high cutting and low nitrogen was impeded more by competition of other grasses, except in the case of the mixture containing 10 percent ryegrass, where the percentage establishment was high. Redtop impeded the establishment of Merion bluegrass, more than either creeping red fescue or ryegrass, and the larger the proportion the greater the depression. The percentage establishment of Merion bluegrass in the mixture containing 50 percent redtop was very low. Height of cut had very little effect on the percentage establishment of Merion bluegrass. 60 Summary and Conclusions 1, In the field experiments observational estimations taken in the fall indicated that Merion bluegrass predominated in the plots receiving high nitrogen when in mixture with creeping red fescue under both high and low cutting treatments while the fescue predominated in the plots with lot nitrogen at both cutting heights, 2# Redtop in mixture with Merion bluegrass inhibited the growth of the Merion bluegrass. A higher percentage of redtop was present in the plots which received the low nitrogen treatment. 3. The percentage of Merion bluegrass showed a con­ sistent increase with time when used in mixture with domestic ryegrass but the turf formed was rough and bunchy and did not present a pleasing appearance# Plots containing domestic ryegrass with Merion bluegrass had the highest percentage of weed infestation. 2j.« In mixtures containing varying percentages of all four species, the increase in the percentage of Merion blue­ grass with time was inconsistent in the plots with high nitrogen but there was a consistent decrease of Merion blue­ grass in the plots with low nitrogen# This would indicate that if Merion bluegrass is to be used in mixtures with several grasses it will be more competitive when a high nitrogen level is maintained. 61 5. The highest percentage of weed infestation occurred in the low cutting treatments. The plots treated with low nitrogen were infested with more weeds than those receiving high nitrogen, 6. Unless quick cover is desired, seeding Merion blue­ grass in mixtures had no apparent advantage. Domestic rye­ grass in mixture with Merion bluegrass formed a coarse ap­ pearing turf and encouraged weed infestation. During drought, mixtures containing redtop imparted a yellow color to the turf. Merion bluegrass seeded alone made the best appearing turf. 7. The maximum competitive efficiency of Merion blue­ grass, as measured by the presence of other grasses and weeds occurred generally when optimum fertility was maintained. 8. The height of cutting had very little effect on the percentage establishment of Merion bluegrass,. 62 BIBLIOGRAPHY 1* Carroll, J. C. "Effects of Drought, Temperature and Nitrogen on Turf Grasses." Plant Physiology. 18:19-35, 2. Crozier, A. A. Forage Crops and Wheat. Michigan Agricul­ ture Experiment Station Bulletin 13+1, 1897. 3. Erdmann, M. H. and C. M. Harrison. "The Influence of Domestic Ryegrass and Redtop Upon the Growth of Kentucky Bluegrass and Chewings Fescue in Lawn and Turf Mixtures." Journal American Society Agronomy. 39:682-689, 191+7. 1+. Graber, L. F. "Food Reserves in Relation to Other Factors Limiting the Growth of Grasses." Plant Physiology. 6 : 1+3-69, 1931. -------- ----- 5. Graber, L. F. "Penalties of Low Food Reserves in Pasture Grasses." Journal American Society Agronomy. 21:29-31+, 1929. 6. Gernert, W. B. "Native Grass Behavior as Affected by Periodic Clipping." Journal American Society Agronomy. 28:1+11-7-14.55, 1936. 7. Harrison, C. M. "Responses of Kentucky Bluegrass to Variations in Temperature, Light, Cutting and Fer­ tilizing." Plant Physiology. 9 :83-106, 1931+. 8. Harrison, C. M. and C. W, Hodgson. "Response of Certain Perennial Grasses to Cutting Treatments." Journal American Society Agronomy, 31:14-18-1+30, 1939. 9. Hodgson, C. W. "Influence of Height and Frequency of Cutting Upon the Growth of Smooth Bromegrass, Orchard Grass and Kentucky Bluegrass." Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, Michigan State College, East Lansing, Michigan, 191+1. 10. Johnson, A. A. and S* T. Dexter. "The Response of Quack Grass to Variations in Height of Cutting and Rate of Application of Nitrogen." Journal American Society Agronomy. 31:67-76, 1939. 63 11. Kuhn, A. 0. and W. B. Kemp. "Response of Different Strains of Kentucky Bluegrass to Cutting." Journal American Society Agronomy. 31:892-895, 1939. 12. Livingston, B. E. "A Plan for Cooperative Research on Salt Requirements of Agricultural Plants." Ed. 2. 1919* 13. Lovvorn, R. L. "Effects of Fertilizations, Species, Competition and Cutting Treatments on the Behavior of Dallis Grass and Carpet Grass." Journal American Society Agronomy, 36:590-600, 19ijITI Morrish, R. H. and C. M. Harrison. "The Establishment and Comparative Wear Resistance of.Various Grasses and Grass-Legume Mixtures to Vehicular Traffic." Journal American Society Agronomy, 1^.0:168-179, 19lj.8. 15. Mortimer, G. B. and J. L. Ahlgren. "Influence of Fer­ tilization, Irrigation and Stage and Height of Cutting on Yield and Composition of Kentucky Bluegrass." Journal American Society Agronomy, 28:515-533* 1936. 16. Spurway, C. H. and K. Lawton. A Practical System of Soil Fertility Diagnosis. Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station Technical Bulletin, 132, 191+.9. 17. Tyson, J. Unpublished data, Michigan Agriculture Experi­ ment Station, Michigan State College, East Lansing, Michigan, 195U* 18. Wagner, R. E. "Effects of Differential Clipping on Growth and Development of Seedling Grasses and Legumes." Journal American Society Agronomy, l*l4.:57858[j., 1952. APPENDIX 64 TABLE X .THE INFLUENCE OF MIXTURE, TWO LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND TWO HEIGHTS OF CUTTING ON THE YIELD OF CREEPING RED FESCUE TOP GROWTH* * 3.87 .3^ 1.42 2.46 6.19 9.94 .06 .33 .64 2.05 2.50 .44 2.18 3.68 5.44 8.36 .26 .47 .74 1.78 3.12 1.10 .15 .23 .66 .09 .35 .09 2.31 .23 .35 .02 .79 .07 .44 .12 .82 Average weight in grams of three replications made on an oven dry basis. 00 2.04 0 20. 9.75 • 19. 4.72 CO 18. 14.61 ON • 17. Merion bluegrass,100 . . . Creeping red fescue,100. . Redtop,100 . Domestic ryegrass,100. . . Bluegrass,90 fescue,10. . Bluegrass,70 fescue,30. . Bluegrass,50 fescue,5 0 . . Bluegrass,30 fescue,70. . Bluegrass,10 fescue,90. . Bluegrass,90 redtop,10. . Bluegrass,90 ryegrass,10. Bluegrass,70 redtop,30 . . Bluegrass,70 ryegrass,30. Bluegrass,50 redtop,5 0 . . Bluegrass,50 ryegrass,5 0 . Bluegrass,50 fescue,30; redtop,10; ryegrass,10 . Bluegrass,30i fescue,30; redtop,20; ryegrass,20 . Bluegrass,30; fescue,5 0 ; redtop,10; ryegrass,10 . Bluegrass,70■ fescue,10; redtop,10; ryegrass,10 • Bluegrass,80 fescue,10; redtop, 5 ; ryegrass, 5 • CO 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7, 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Treatments Nitroeren-Hiffh Nitrosren-Low 2 "cut 3/4 cut 3/4"cut 2_£U£ • Mixtures in percent 65 TABLE XI THE INFLUENCE OF MIXTURE, TWO LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND TWO HEIGHTS OF CUTTING ON THE YIELD OF CREEPING RED FESCUE RHIZOMES* Mixtures in percent Merion bluegrass,100 . . Creeping red fescue,100 . Redtop,100 Domestic ryegrass,100 . . Bluegrass,90 fescue,10 . Bluegrass,70 fescue,30 . Bluegrass,50 fescue,50 . Bluegrass,30 fescue,70 . Bluegrass,10 fescue,90 . Bluegrass,90 redtop,10 . Bluegrass,90 ryegrass,10 Bluegrass,70 redtop,30 . Bluegrass,70 ; ryegrass,30 Bluegrass,50 redtop,50 . Bluegrass,50 ryegrass,50 Bluegrass,50 fescue,30; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. 17. Bluegrass, 30 fescue,30; redtop,20; ryegrass,20. Bluegrass,3° fescue,5 0 ; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. 19. Bluegrass,70 fescue,10; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. 20. Bluegrass,80 fescue,10; redtop, 5; ryegrass,5 . . . .044 .001 .445 .045 .000 .003 .003 .128 .007 .000 .000 .002 .001 .000 .44 .063 .213 .281 .401 .000 .003 .005 .017 .033 . .000 .000 .027 .001 . .000 .000 .006 .000 . .000 .000 .042 .033 . .000 .000 .028 .000 . .000 .000 .004 .000 . . . . . . . . . . . . • 00 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Treatments Nitroeen-Hieh Nitrosren-Low 2 "cut 3/4"out 2"cut 3/4"out * Average weight in grams of three replications made on an oven dry basis. 66 TABLE XII THE INFLUENCE OF MIXTURE, TWO LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND TWO CUTTING HEIGHTS ON THE YIELD OF REDTOP TOP GROWTH* Mixtures in Percent 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. * Merion bluegrass,100. . . Creeping red fescue,100 . Redtop, 1.00.............. Domestic ryegrass,100 . . Bluegrass,90; fescue,10 . Bluegrass,70; fescue,30 . Bluegrass,50; fescue,50 . Bluegrass,30; fescue,70 . Bluegrass,10; fescue,90 . Bluegrass,90; redtop,10 . Bluegrass,90; ryegrass,10 Bluegrass,70; redtop,3 0 . Bluegrass,70; ryegrass,30 Bluegrass,50; redtop,50 . Bluegrass,50; ryegrass,50 Bluegrass,50; fescue,30; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. Bluegrass,30; fescue,30; redtop,20; ryegrass,20. Bluegrass,30; fescue,50; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. Bluegrass,70; fescue,10; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. Bluegrass,80; fescue,10; redtop, 5; ryegrass,5 . ______ Treatments:____________ Nitrogen-High Nitrogen-Low 2 "cut 3/4 "cut 211cut 3/4 "cut 15.40 8.20 14.77 5.17 7.31 2.83 6.6l 2.99 9.64 6.84 7.74 4.39 14.70 6.20 12.15 5.32 8.20 5.07 6.73 4.19 11.36 7.37 8.91 4.92 7.06 7.41 6.26 . 4.35 9.31 4.55 5.68 3.47 3.72 2.38 3.29 1.89 Average weight in grams of three replications made on an oven dry basis. 67 TABLE XIII THE INFLUENCE OF MIXTURE, TWO LEVELS OF NITROGEN, AND TWO CUTTING HEIGHTS ON THE YIELD OF DOMESTIC RYEGRASS TOP GROWTH* Mixtures in percent 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18, 19. 20. * Merion bluegrass,100. . . . Creeping red fescue,100 . . Redtop,100................ Domestic ryegrass,100 . . . Bluegrass,90;. fescue, 10 . . Bluegrass,70; fescue,30 . . Bluegrass,50; fescue,50 . . Bluegrass,30; fescue,70 . . Bluegrass,10; fescue,90 . . Bluegrass,90; redtop,10 . . Bluegrass,90; ryegrass,10 . Bluegrass,70; redtop,30 . . Bluegrass,70; ryegrass,30 . Bluegrass,50; redtop,50 . . Bluegrass,50; ryegrass,50 . Bluegrass,50; fescue,30; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. . Bluegrass,30; fescue,30; redtop,20; ryegrass,20. . Bluegrass,30; fescue,50; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. . Bluegrass,70; fescue,10; redtop,10; ryegrass,10. . Bluegrass,80; fescue,10; redtop, 5;. ryegrass,5 . . Treatments Nitrogen-High Nitrogen-Low 2"cut 3/4"cut 2"cut 3/4"cut 20.21 7.65 16.17 4.23 3.29 .01 2.02 .68 5.19 .36 5.89 .66 13.66 .56 6.13 1.29 2.76 .11 1.16 .04 2.01 .05 .83 .03 1.98 .08 1.14 .23 1.29 .05 .97 .03 3M .07 .80 .05 Average weight In grams of three replications made on an oven dry basis.