Nitrogen form and the seasonal root and shoot response of creeping bentgrass

Abstract

The form of nitrogen can affect root and shoot growth of plants. This study was conducted to determine the effects of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen on root length and number and shoot color and quality of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds. ‘Penncross'). The study was conducted in the University of Georgia rhizotron facility. Turf was grown in an 80/20 sand/peat rooting medium and maintained under putting green conditions for 12 months. Two forms of nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate, utilizing the nitrogen sources of urea and calcium nitrate, respectively, were applied in the following ammonium: nitrate ratios: 100: 0, 75: 25, 50: 50, 25: 75, and 0: 100. A modified Hoagland's solution provided all other macronutrients and micronutrients. Root length, root number, shoot color, and shoot quality data were collected weekly for 12 months. The 100% nitrate treatment resulted in 30% more roots during the fall compared to the 100% ammonium treatment The 100% ammonium treatment had 26% greater root length in the spring compared to the two highest nitrate treatments. The 50: 50 treatment produced greater root length during the spring and summer compared to the high nitrate treatments (0: 100 and 25: 75) and at least 30% greater root number during the summer compared to all treatments. All treatments resulted in a decrease in root length for the summer compared to the spring. The 50: 50 treatment provided higher ratings for shoot color for each season and higher quality ratings for the winter and spring. A fertilizer program that contains a portion of its nitrogen as nitrate would be more beneficial certain times of the year than one containing ammonium or nitrate alone.