Effects of Sequential Trinexapac-Ethyl Applications and Traffic on Growth of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Mowing turfgrasses, especially fast growing species like perennial ryegrass, is one of the most time and money consuming tasks of their management. Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) is a popular plant growth regulator used to reduce mowing requirements, improve stress tolerance, and enhance turf quality. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of TE rate and frequency of applications on growth response and traffic tolerance of perennial ryegrass. The experiment was a split-plot laid out in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. TE was applied to main plots at 0.00, 0.25, and $0.50kg\;a.i.\;ha^{-1}$. Application pattern included an initial application, followed by two sequential applications at 6-wk intervals. Traffic treatment was applied to subplots with a cleated roller. Results demonstrated that TE consistently reduced vertical shoot growth, clippings dry weight, with maximum growth reduction of 59% and 65%, for 0.25 and $0.50kg\;a.i.\;ha^{-1}$, respectively, occurring at 2 weeks after initial TE treatment (WAT). Traffic also dramatically reduced vertical shoot growth and clippings dry weight. Overall, quality of perennial ryegrass was enhanced by sequential TE applications, however, turf quality and surface coverage reduced greatly under traffic, regardless of TE treatment. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and total carbohydrates (TC) contents were also positively influenced following sequential TE application. Our results indicated that TE reduces mowing frequency and enhances turf quality rather than influencing traffic resistance.