Carbohydrate metabolism in creeping bentgrass as influenced by two summer irrigation practices

Abstract

This field study was conducted to investigate carbon metabolic responses to deep and infrequent (DI) versus light and frequent (LF) irrigation in 'Providence' creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). LF irrigation was performed daily to wet soil to a depth of 4 to 6 cm, whereas DI irrigation was performed at leaf wilt to wet soil to a depth of ≥24 cm. The creeping bentgrass was seeded into a sand-based root zone in 2005 and was maintained as a putting green during the 2006 and 2007 study years. Canopy net photosynthesis (Pn) and whole plant respiration (Rw) were monitored, and water-soluble carbohydrates [WSC (i.e., glucose, fructose, and sucrose)], storage carbohydrates [SC (i.e., fructan and starch)], and total nonstructural carbohydrates [TNC (i.e., the sum of water soluble and storage sugars)] in leaf and root tissue were quantified. Creeping bentgrass subjected to DI irrigation had a lower Pn and a generally similar Rw compared with LF-irrigated bentgrass. DI irrigated bentgrass generally had greater levels of WSC and TNC in leaf tissue in 2006 and similar levels in 2007 when compared with LF-irrigated bentgrass. Leaf SC levels were higher in DI- than LF-irrigated bentgrass in both years. Creeping bentgrass roots subjected to DI irrigation generally had greater SC and TNC levels in both years than were found in LF-irrigated plants. Root WSC levels were higher (2006) or similar (2007) in DI- versus LF-irrigated bentgrass. Irrigating creeping bentgrass at wilt rather than daily to maintain moist soil generally resulted in higher carbohydrate levels in leaves and roots, which may enable creeping bentgrass to better tolerate and recover from drought and other stresses.