Advances in understanding turfgrass physiology

Publication date: 23/01/2023
Extent: 42 pages

Contributions by: David Jespersen, University of Georgia, USA; Benjamin Wherley, Texas A&M University, USA; and Michelle DaCosta, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA

Chapter synopsis:

Turfgrasses are frequently grown in environments with less than optimal conditions, which ultimately negatively impacts plant growth and development. Between a changing environment and a desire to reduce inputs, turfgrasses will be exposed to even more stressful conditions. Understanding a plant's physiology and how they respond to stressful conditions is essential to developing turf areas that are able to maintain high levels of performance. This chapter covers physiological responses to four of the most common abiotic stress conditions: drought, heat, freezing, and salinity stresses. The chapter focuses on recent research that has improved our understanding of how these stresses damage plants and how in turn plants respond to tolerate these conditions. Knowledge of turfgrass physiology and their responses to different environments are essential to achieve sustainable turf areas in the future.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2022.0110.01