EFFECTS OF NITROGEN APPLICATION TIMING ON GROWTH AND QUALITY OF A TURFGRASS MIXTURE

A 3-year field study was conducted to determine the influence of nitrogen (N) application timing on the growth and quality of a turfgrass mixture consisting of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra var. rubra L.), and chewings fescue (Festuca rubra var. commutata Gaud.) under irrigated conditions. Nitrogen was applied annually at the rate of 30 g m^?2 year^?1, with six application regimes: control (no N), single spring (30 g m^?2), single fall (30 g m^?2), spring + fall (15 + 15 g m^?2), spring + summer + fall (10 + 10 + 10 g m^?2), and monthly from April through September (5 g m^?2).

Color, turf quality, clipping weights, and shoot density were correlated with fertilizer rates and application timing in this study. Fertilization monthly or every 2 months resulted in more uniform color and turf quality and less clipping weights than with comparable heavy spring and fall fertilizations. Heavy N applications in the fall did not cause winter injury and produced significantly darker color and more uniform appearance in early spring than other N applications. All N-fertilization regimes increased shoot density, but spring fertilization stimulated density the most. Nitrogen applied monthly or every 2 months was enough to enhance the color, turf quality, and shoot density of the turf during the growing season but did not greatly affect the growth rate.     

Comparing cultivars of three cool‐season turf‐grasses for potassium uptake kinetics and potassium recovery in the field

Efficient use of potassium (K) by turf depends on the ability of roots to absorb a high proportion of the fertilizer K applied to the soil. Among turfgrass genotypes, variation in K absorption kinetics of roots and its inheritance is important in the development of genotypes that are more efficient in K absorption from the soil. Therefore, K uptake kinetics of six cultivars each of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were compared under greenhouse conditions. In 1990 and 1991, field studies of the same cultivars were conducted comparing clipping production rate, leaf blade K concentration, K recovery rate in clippings, K efficiency ratio and visual quality under a moderate K fertilization of 59 kg K/ha/year. Significant differences among species and cultivars were obtained for both absorption kinetics and field recovery of K. Significant correlations between some K uptake parameters and field performance were identified. These results show that genetic differences exist among turfgrasses for K utilization at both the interspecific and intraspecific levels and suggest that a screening program could be developed to identify turfgrass genotypes possessing superior K utilization.     

北京地区常用草坪草的耗水规律及适宜灌溉量研究

研究了在北京地区不同供水条件下，草地早熟禾、高羊茅、多年生黑麦草、野牛草、结缕草和狗牙根整个生长季的蒸散量差异和耗水规律。结果表明，蒸散量主要与草坪草的生物学特性有关，受水分条件影响；冷季型草坪草中多年生黑麦草耗水最少，暖季型草坪草中结缕草耗水最少；通过比较坪草和北方主要农作物的K_C值，得出草坪与大田作物的需水量相当；北京地区常用草坪草整个生长季的适宜灌溉量为：高羊茅(391.8 mm)>草地早熟禾(368.3 mm)>多年生黑麦草(315.1 mm)>狗牙根(300.7 mm)>野牛草(184.0 mm)>结缕草(110.5 mm)。     

Effects of White Clover Inclusion on Turf Characteristics,Nitrogen Fixation,and Nitrogen Transfer from White Clover to Grass Species in Turf Mixtures

Abstract

An irrigated field trial was conducted to test the effects of white clover in three turfgrass species (perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping bentgrass) on color, clipping yield, and botanical composition and to estimate nitrogen (N)₂ fixation and N transfer from white clover to associated turfgrass species under different N‐fertilization conditions in 1999–2002.

Nitrogen fertilizers significantly increased color ratings in all observations. Grass–white clover mixtures had better color ratings than pure grass at all sampling dates and seasonal averages in unfertilized conditions. Fertilized pure grass plots yielded significantly more than control plots in all turfgrass species. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect clipping yield greatly in turfgrass–white clover mixtures. Nitrogen application significantly decreased white clover percentage in the harvested clippings in second and third year.

Nitrogen fertilization increased tissue N concentration positively in all turfgrass species grown alone. In contrast, N fertilization did not greatly affect tissue N concentration of either turfgrass species or white clover in the mixtures. Nitrogen fixation of white clover was estimated as 24.6, 30.7, and 33.8 g m^?2 year^?1 in perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping bentgrass, respectively. The total estimated N₂ fixation gradually decreased with increasing N fertilization. Nitrogen transfer from white clover to the associated turfgrass varied from 4.2 to 13.7% of the total N that the white clover fixed annually.     

Response of turfgrass to urea-based fertilizers formulated to reduce ammonia volatilization and nitrate conversion

Stabilized urea fertilizers are currently being marketed for use in turfgrass, as a more efficient alternative to standard urea that minimizes adverse impacts on the environment. These fertilizers have been evaluated for reducing N losses and increasing grain yield in crop plants, but their effects in turf are not well characterized. The efficacy of two stabilized urea fertilizers containing urease and nitrification inhibitors, N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and dicyandiamide or butenedioc-methylenesuccinic acid copolymer, in reducing N losses was studied for a 56-day period in a mixed stand of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) using ¹⁵?N-enriched fertilizers. Turf responded to a 49-kg ha^?1 N input with increased color, quality, and biomass production. No benefit of nitrification and urease inhibitors compared to urea was observed for clipping production, N use efficiency, or turfgrass color and quality. Though the efficacy of urease and nitrification inhibitors has been demonstrated both in the laboratory and for row crops, inhibitors appear to be of limited value for enhancing N use efficiency in turf.     

盐胁迫下两种草坪草膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶比较

Salinity stress is a major factor limiting the growth of turfgrass irrigated with recycled wastewater. The change in lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxide (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) in the shoots and roots of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue were investigated under salinity stress. Plants were subjected to 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mmol L 1 NaCl for 40 d. The MDA content under salinity stress was lower in tall fescue than in Kentucky bluegrass in both shoots and roots. Activities of SOD in the shoots of both species increased with salinity stress. The activities of CAT and APX decreased in Kentucky bluegrass, but no significant difference in the activities of CAT and APX was observed in tall fescue. The activities of SOD, CAT and APX in the shoots of tall fescue were higher than those in Kentucky bluegrass. In the roots of Kentucky bluegrass, SOD and GR activities increased and CAT and APX activities decreased in comparison with the control. In the roots of tall fescue, salinity increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and APX. These results suggested that tall fescue exhibited a more effective protection mechanism and mitigated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by maintaining higher SOD, CAT and APX activities than Kentucky bluegrass.     

Salt influence on germination and seedling survival of six cool season turfgrass species

Abstract

‘Merion’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), ‘Pennfine’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), ‘Seaside’ creeping bent‐grass (Agrostis palustris Huds.), ‘Dawson’ slender creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra trichophylla (L.) Gaud.), ‘Fults’ weeping alkaligrass (Puccinellia distans (L.) Parl.), and ‘common’ Lemmon alkaligrass (Puccinellia lemmoni (Vasey) Scribn.) were evaluated for germination and seedling survival in the greenhouse and laboratory under saline conditions. Overall results indicated that weeping and Lemmon alkaligrass were superior performers under saline and/or sodic conditions. Among the remaining four species, none appeared clearly superior in overall performance.     

短期NaHCO3胁迫对3种冷季型草坪草生理生态特征的影响

土壤盐渍化严重威胁草坪草的可持续发展,选育和种植耐盐草坪草可改良和利用大面积盐渍土壤。以3种冷季型草坪草黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.)、高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea L.)和早熟禾(Poa pratensis L.)为试验材料,采用盆栽法研究不同浓度NaHCO3胁迫(0,0.2%,0.4%,0.6%,0.8%,1.0%)对3种冷季型草坪草生理生态特征的影响。结果表明:不同浓度NaHCO3胁迫下3种冷季型草坪草草坪外观质量、叶片萎蔫系数、叶片相对含水量、叶片叶绿素含量和K+含量均随着NaHCO3浓度的增加而逐渐降低,且浓度越高,下降越明显;0.4%～1.0%NaHCO3胁迫降低了3种冷季型草坪草的地上部分和根系干重,且随着NaHCO3浓度的增加,生长受到胁迫的抑制程度显著增大,根系部分的受抑制程度比地上部分更明显;不同浓度NaHCO3胁迫下3种冷季型草坪草叶片相对电导率、脯氨酸含量、丙二醛含量和Na+含量随着NaHCO3胁迫浓度的升高呈上升趋势,且浓度越高上升越明显;NaHCO3浓度0.4%时,3种冷季型草坪草已受到伤害;黑麦草、高羊茅和早熟禾在不同浓度NaHCO3胁迫下的隶属函数平均值均表现为早熟禾黑麦草高羊茅,说明3种冷季型草坪草抗NaHCO3胁迫的能力均为早熟禾强于黑麦草和高羊茅。     

Melamine/urea and oxamide fertilization of Kentucky bluegrass

Abstract

The commercial lawn care industry represents a large market for N sources. A formulated melamine (2,4,6‐triamino‐s‐triazine) plus urea combination (MLU) (45% melamine by weight) and oxamide were evaluated for use by the lawn care industry by comparing turfgrass response from these fertilizers to that from urea, sulfur coated urea (SCU), ureaformaldehyde (Nitroform), and a non‐fertilized check. Fertilizers were applied four times per year to field plots of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) growing on a Flanagan silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Argiudoll) at a rate of 49 kg N ha^‐1 per application. Color ratings and clipping weights were determined weekly during the growing season. Trends in color ratings paralleled those in clipping weights. During the first year of the study, MLU treated turf received significantly higher color ratings than nonfertilized turf on only 38% of the rating dates; this increased to 76% in the third year of the study. Color ratings for MLU fertilized turf compared more closely to ratings for Nitroform fertilized turf than for ratings for urea or SCU fertilized turf. The turf fertilized with oxamide received higher color ratings than Nitroform or urea fertilized turf and compared favorably with SCU fertilized turf. Programs utilizing MLU would require either high initial application rates or supplemental applications of another N source to provide acceptable results. Oxamide appeared suitable for use by the lawn care industry.     

Diurnal patterns of nitrate assimilation in Kentucky bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass (Poapratensis L.) is a major C₃‐type forage and turfgrass, but it is less efficient than many grasses in utilizing nitrogen(N). To determine how this grass can accommodate its greater N need, diurnal patterns of nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and nitrite reductase activity (NiRA) in its leaves and roots were examined and compared with those in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Plants were grown under greenhouse or growth room conditions and assayed for NRA and NiRA by optimized in vivo methods. The diurnal patterns of NRA and NiRA indicated that Kentucky bluegrass could assimilate nitrate during the night at rates greater than or similar to those during the day. Leaf NRA of Kentucky bluegrass was minimal approximately 4 and 10 h after illumination commenced and increased at night. The diurnal pattern of leaf NRA among Kentucky bluegrass cultivars did not differ significantly. In roots, NRA of Kentucky bluegrass was high in the morning and decreased sharply during the afternoon and evening, but increased again late at night. Unlike Kentucky bluegrass, barley exhibited greater leaf NRA during the day than during the night and exhibited the greatest activity 6 or 10 h after illumination commenced. In both species, the equilibrium leaf nitrate pool was 20 to 30 times larger than the ammonium pool and 3, 000 to 13, 000 times larger than the nitrite pool. Leaf nitrate pool size showed a diurnal pattern complementary to that of leaf NRA. Our results suggest that a nighttime N use strategy might exist in Kentucky bluegrass.     

Compost Practices for Improving Soil Properties and Turfgrass Establishment and Quality on a Disturbed Urban Soil

Urban land disturbance degrades physical, chemical, and biological soil properties by removing topsoil and compacting the remaining subsoil. Such practices create a soil environment that is unfavorable for vegetation establishment. A 3-year field study was conducted to compare the effects of various one-time compost application treatments on soil properties and re-vegetation of a disturbed soil. A disturbed urban soil received the following treatments: (1) inorganic fertilizer; (2) 2.5-cm-depth surface-applied compost; (3) 2.5-cm-depth incorporated compost; (4) 5.0-cm-depth incorporated compost; (5) inorganic fertilizer plus 0.6-cm compost blanket; and (6) inorganic fertilizer plus straw mat cover. The plots were seeded with a mixture of tall fescue Festuca arundinacea Shreb.: ‘Magellan,’ ‘Coronado Gold,’ ‘Regiment,’ and ‘Tomcat,’ perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne L. ‘Linn’, and Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratenis L. ‘Baron.’ Soil chemical and physical attributes and plant growth and quality parameters were measured during 840 days following study establishment. Soil C, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, and turfgrass growth and quality were increased and soil bulk density was reduced by amending with composts. Incorporation of compost into soil improved soil and plant attributes more than unincorporated surface application, but the differences diminished with time. Compost benefits increased with time. One-time applications of compost can provide immediate and long-term benefits to soil and plant attributes, but there may be no need to incorporate the compost into soil, particularly if the soil has recently been loosened by tillage.     

EFFECTS OF SINGLE,DUAL AND TRIPLE INOCULATIONS WITH BACILLUS SUBTILIS,BACILLUS MEGATERIUM AND RHIZOBIUM LEGUMINOSARUM BV. PHASEOLI ON NODULATION,NUTRIENT UPTAKE,YIELD AND YIELD PARAMETERS OF COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. CV. ‘ELKOCA-05’)

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of single, dual, and triple inoculations with Rhizobium, N₂-fixing Bacillus subtilis (OSU-142), and P-solubilizing Bacillus megaterium (M-3) on nodulation, plant growth, nutrient uptake and seed yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. ‘Elkoca-05’) in comparison to control and mineral fertilizer application under field conditions in 2006 and 2007 in the cold highland in Erzurum plateau (29° 55′ N and 41° 16′ E with an altitude of 1850 m), Turkey. Bacterial inoculations significantly increased all the parameters investigated compared with the control treatment, equal to or higher than nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and NP treatments. The lowest shoot dry weight and chlorophyll content values were recorded in the control treatment and the bacterial inoculations increased shoot dry weight by 19.7–54.3% and chlorophyll content by 34.1–59.3% over control. Nodule dry weight significantly increased in Rhizobium alone treatment. Additionally, nodulation by native soil Rhizobium population was increased in single inoculations of OSU-142 and M-3. Significant increases of the seed yield under different inoculation treatments ranged between by 6.6% (Rhizobium + OSU-142 + M-3) and 12.2% (OSU-142 alone) over the control whereas N, P and NP applications corresponded to increases of 5.6%, 4.0% and 7.4%, respectively. All bacterial inoculations, especially triple inoculation, significantly increased uptake of macronutrients and micronutrients by common bean. In conclusion, seed inoculation with Rhizobium, OSU-142 and M-3, especially OSU-142 alone, may substitute partially costly NP fertilizers in common bean production even in cold highland areas such as in Erzurum.     

Microsatellite markers and genetic diversity assessment in Lolium temulentum

Lolium and Festuca are two important genera of cool-season forage and turf grasses worldwide. Lolium temulentum L. (darnel ryegrass) has been proposed as a model species for genomics studies of cool-season forage and turf grasses. A study with 41 darnel ryegrass, three tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), two tetraploid fescue (F. glaucescens), and two meadow fescue (F. pratensis) genotypes was initiated to (i) identify a set of microsatellite (simple sequence repeats) markers useful for L. temulentum L., and (ii) to utilize such markers for assessing the genetic variability of L. temulentum accessions collected from different geographical regions of the world. A total of 40 tall fescue (TF) EST-SSRs and 60 Festuca–Lolium (F × L) genomic SSRs were screened on a subset of eight genotypes. The selected 30 tall fescue EST-SSRs and 32 F × L genomic SSRs were used for further analysis of genotypes. The TF-EST- and the F × L genomic-SSRs identified 10.3 and 9.3 alleles per marker, respectively with an average polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.66. The phenogram based on 319 EST-SSR and 296 genomic SSR fragments, grouped L. temulentum accessions into three major clusters except for accession ABY-BA 8892.78. Lolium temulentum accession ABY-BA 8892.78 did not cluster with any other accession. The Festuca clusters were distantly related with darnel ryegrass clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.26. The selected set of tall fescue EST- and F × L genomic SSRs were useful in assessing L. temulentum genetic diversity and could benefit the genetic improvement of members of the Festuca–Lolium complex.     

Correlation between Solvita Labile Amino-Nitrogen and CO2-Burst Soil Health Tests and Response to Organic Fertilizer in a Turfgrass Soil

ABSTRACT

The Solvita Soil Labile Amino-Nitrogen (SLAN) and Soil CO₂-Burst (SSCB) tests are used in soil health assessments. Field experiments were conducted from 2014–2016 in Connecticut, USA to: (1) determine if SLAN and SSCB concentrations are correlated for a sandy loam soil under predominately Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] turfgrass lawns, and (2) compare the response of SSCB–C and SLAN–N concentrations in relation to varying rates of an organic fertilizer. Concentrations of SLAN–N were positively and significantly (P < .001) correlated with concentrations of SSCB–C for all years, both species, and combinations of years and species (r = 0.477 to 0.754). The response of SSCB–C and SLAN–N concentrations to organic fertilizer rates were positively linear and significant (P < .01) in all cases but one (2014 tall fescue SSCB–C concentrations). Rates of change across fertilizer rates were generally greater for SLAN–N concentrations. There was greater variation within the SSCB test than within the SLAN test. The results suggest that the SLAN and SSCB tests are well-correlated and both may be able to provide an estimate of a turfgrass soil’s N mineralization potential.     

Turf Response to Superferrite Fertilizer in Contrasting Soil Types

Abstract

Superferrite is marketed as a turf fertilizer in the United States, but there is limited information on its effectiveness or potential risks due to high zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) contents. A greenhouse study was conducted where hybrid bermudagrass and tall fescue, growing in a calcareous clay or acid sandy soil, and creeping bentgrass, growing in a putting green root zone mix, were fertilized with 0, 50, 100, and 150% the recommended rate of Superferrite fertilizer (73.4 g m^?2). Bermudagrass and tall fescue clipping weights increased with Superferrite rate but root mass was not affected. Tissue iron (Fe) concentrations were mostly unaffected by Superferrite, but total Fe uptake, tissue Zn, and total Zn uptake increased with Superferrite rate. Increased yields were probably due to increasing nitrogen (N) applications rather than Fe or Zn. Small increases in Pb uptake with Superferrite applications suggest that Superferrite Pb had low bioavailability to turf.     

Dicyandiamide (DCD) research in agriculture in the mid‐Atlantic region

Abstract

Numerous experiments have been conducted in Maryland and Pennsylvania since 1981 to determine if adding the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) to an ammonium‐containing or producing N fertilizer source would increase the efficiency of that source with turfgrass, wheat, or corn. Greater yields per unit of fertilizer N were attained in three of eight experiments with wheat when DCD was included with an early spring application of N as urea or UAN. There was no significant beneficial effect of DCD on turf clipping yields or color in the 3 years of the turf study or on corn grain yields in the 22 field comparisons of N fertilizer with and without DCD. In five of the 22 comparisons with corn, there was a significantly lower grain yield with DCD than when it was not included. In three of these five cases, it was hypothesized that the lower yields with DCD were due to increased NH₃ volatilization from urea or urea‐ammonium nitrate solutions containing DCD that were surface‐applied to no‐till corn. It was concluded that there was little likelihood that the inclusion of a nitrification inhibitor such as DCD with N fertilizer would increase N fertilizer efficiency with corn or turf on the predominantly well‐drained silt loam soils in the two states.     

Contribution of Biofertilizers and Fertilizer Nitrogen to Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Egyptian Winter Wheat

ABSTRACT

Nutrient uptake and grain and straw yield of Egyptian winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Merr.) were evaluated for two site-years after the seed inoculation with two biofertilizer products, Phosphorien, containing the phosphorus (P)-solubilizing bacteria Bacillus megatherium, and Nitrobien, containing a combination of nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum liposerum. Ammonium nitrate and polymer-coated urea fertilizers were applied to plots alone and together with the biofertilizers at rates of either 83 kg N ha^?1 or 186 kg N ha^?1 for comparison. The highest grain yield (5.76–6.74 Mg ha^?1) and straw yield (11.49–13.32 Mg ha^?1) occurred at the highest fertilizer rates with N fertilizer. There was a slight additional increase in grain and straw yields when a biofertilizer was applied along with N fertilizer. A slightly higher grain and straw yield was measured with the polymer-coated urea treatment than with the ammonium nitrate treatment. The biofertilizer materials were not as effective as N fertilizers in producing grain (4.02–4.09 Mg ha^?1) or straw (7.71–8.11 Mg ha^?1) for either year, although the Nitrobien + Phosphorien combination increased these parameters over the N-fertilizer control. The effect of the Nitrobien biofertilizer in increasing grain yields was equivalent to a urea application rate of about 13 kg N ha^?1. Biofertilizer inoculations increased iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) concentrations in wheat tissue (at boot stage), but these higher levels did not influence grain or straw yield.     

Effect of fertility ratios on growth and turf quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium prenne L.) in winter

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium prenne L.) has been introduced to Japan as a cool season turfgrass. In spite of relatively mild winter in most parts of the country, it still goes to winter dormancy. A well‐balanced fertility ratio and rate may prevent such dormancy without causing winter injury. Therefore, this experiment was designed to find a balanced rate and ratio among nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) fertilizers in order to prevent winter dormancy and promote growth during the winter in Japan. Yorktown 2 perennial ryegrass was used in this experiment. Nitrogen and K application rates were 50, 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, and 650 kg K/ha; whereas P rates were 50, 150, and 250 kg P/ha. These rates were applied in 30 different ratios. Growth, color, and density of the turf were estimated and used as the parameters for finding a suitable rate and ratio for these three major nutrients. Color, density, and growth were increased as the rate of N fertilizer increased, but there was no visual response to P or K rates. It is suggested that increases in color, density, and growth were function of N rates, whereas K and P rates maintained the cold hardiness of the turf when high N rates were applied under the conditions of this experiment. Fertility ratio and the rates of 450 kg N/ha, 250 kg K/ha, and 50 kg P/ha were sufficient to prevent dormancy, promote growth, and produce good quality turf throughout the winter. Thus, it is concluded that fertility ratios and rates are the main factors limiting growth and quality of perennial ryegrass in transitional zones similar to Japan.     

Characterization of a USDA Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) Core Collection for Reproductive Mode and DNA Content by Flow Cytometry

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is an important turf and forage grass species with a facultative apomictic breeding behavior. In this study, mature seed and leaf tissue from 38 accessions of a USDA core collection of Kentucky bluegrass were analyzed with flow cytometry to characterize the reproductive mode and DNA content for each accession. Major reproductive pathways for each accession were determined based upon the presence and the position of the peaks observed and the known methods of reproduction for Kentucky bluegrass. While the majority of the accessions exhibited facultative apomictic reproductive behavior with a combination of reduced, zygotic and unreduced, parthenogenic embryo production, obligate sexual or obligate apomictic accessions were also found to be present in this core collection. In addition, reduced, parthenogenic and unreduced zygotic embryos were also detected in several accessions. Flow cytometric analysis of somatic tissue revealed a large range of DNA variation within this core collection. We also examined the sensitivity of flow cytometry in analyzing bulked samples containing a large number of plants with varied DNA content and determined that flow cytometry can effectively detect a plant having a different DNA content within a 15-plant bulk sample. Overall the combination of mature seed and somatic tissue analysis generated important information for the Kentucky bluegrass core collection and can be an effective and affordable tool to characterize even greater numbers of Kentucky bluegrass accessions.