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Browsing by Author "Goatley, Mike"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Fall Lawn Care
    Goatley, Mike; Askew, Shawn D.; McCall, David S. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-07-01)
    Fall lawn care including strategies for cool-season turfgrasses, soil care, selecting the best turfgrass, soil preparation prior to establishment, initial irrigation and mowing strategies, weed control options after establishment, fertility, cultivation, and pest control. Strategies for warm season turfgrasses including fertility, pest control, cultivation, and overseeding,
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    Heat Shock Proteins in Relation to Heat Stress Tolerance of Creeping Bentgrass at Different N Levels
    Wang, Kehua; Zhang, Xunzhong; Goatley, Mike; Ervin, Erik H. (PLOS, 2014-07-22)
    Heat stress is a primary factor causing summer bentgrass decline. Changes in gene expression at the transcriptional and/or translational level are thought to be a fundamental mechanism in plant response to environmental stresses. Heat stress redirects protein synthesis in higher plants and results in stress protein synthesis, particularly heat shock proteins (HSPs). The goal of this work was to analyze the expression pattern of major HSPs in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) during different heat stress periods and to study the influence of nitrogen (N) on the HSP expression patterns. A growth chamber study on ‘Penn-A4’ creeping bentgrass subjected to 38/28°C day/night for 50 days, was conducted with four nitrate rates (no N-0, low N-2.5, medium N-7.5, and high N-12.5 kg N ha−1) applied biweekly. Visual turfgrass quality (TQ), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), shoot electrolyte leakage (ShEL), and root viability (RV) were monitored, along with the expression pattern of HSPs. There was no difference in measured parameters between treatments until week seven, except TQ at week five. At week seven, grass at medium N had better TQ, NDVI, and Fv/Fm accompanied by lower ShEL and higher RV, suggesting a major role in improved heat tolerance. All the investigated HSPs (HSP101, HSP90, HSP70, and sHSPs) were up-regulated by heat stress. Their expression patterns indicated cooperation between different HSPs and their roles in bentgrass thermotolerance. In addition, their production seems to be resource dependent. This study could further improve our understanding about how different N levels affect bentgrass thermotolerance.
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    "Leave" Them Alone: Lawn Leaf Management
    Goatley, Mike (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-07-01)
    Using a mulching mower for leaf disposal can be highly beneficial in the fall. Mulching leaves directly back to the turf has proven to be a relatively cost effective and time-saving means of leaf disposal, and it is another way of keeping yard waste out of the landfill
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    Maintenance Calendar for Cool-Season Turfgrasses in Virginia
    Goatley, Mike; Askew, Shawn D.; Cataldi, Derik; Wilson, Chantel (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019-09-25)
    Treatment schedule for cool grasses in Virginia including when to plant, fertilize, spray and spread herbicides
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    Maintenance Calendar for Warm-Season Lawns in Virginia
    Goatley, Mike; Askew, Shawn D.; McCall, David S.; Wilson, Chantel (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
    Treatment schedule for warm grasses in Virginia including when to plant, fertilize, spray and spread herbicides
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    Photosynthetic Rate and Root Growth Responses to Ascophyllum nodosum Extract–based Biostimulant in Creeping Bentgrass under Heat and Drought Stress
    Zhang, Xunzhong; Taylor, Zachary; Goatley, Mike; Wang, Kehua; Brown, Isabel; Kosiarski, Kelly (American Society for Horticultural Science, 2023-08-01)
    Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) experiences quality decline during summer in the United States transition zone and warmer regions. Various bioproducts have been used to improve creeping bentgrass performance and to mitigate effects of summer stress in the United States transition zone. This 2-year study was carried out to examine if foliar application of seaweed extract (SWE; Ascophyllum nodosum)-based biostimulant UtilizeVR could enhance creeping bentgrass nitrate reductase (NaR) activity, and root viability under heat and drought stress conditions. The UtilizeVR was sprayed biweekly on creeping bentgrass foliage at 0, 29, 58, 87, and 116 mL.m22, with application volume of 815 L.ha22. Two weeks after first application, plants were exposed to heat (35/25◦C, day/night) and drought stress (40% to 50% evapotranspiration replacement) conditions for 42 days in an environment-controlled growth chamber. In general, the abiotic stress caused turf quality reduction. Foliar application of UtilizeVR at 58, 87, and 116 mL.m22 increased turf quality, leaf color ratings, leaf chlorophyll, carotenoid content, and net photosynthetic rate (Pn). UtilizeVR at 58, 87, and 116 mL.m22 increased NaR activity by 26.5%, 16.3%, and 16.3%, respectively, when compared with the control. UtilizeVR at 58, 87, and 116 mL.m22 increased root biomass, root length, surface area (SA), and root volume when compared with the control. UtilizeVR at 58 and 87 mL.m22 improved root viability by 16.3% and 30.9%, respectively, when compared with the control. Our data indicate that the SWE-based biostimulant UtilizeVR improves nitrogen (N) metabolism and root viability. UtilizeVR treatment at 58 mL.m22 biweekly can be considered an effective approach for improving creeping bentgrass performance during summer stress.
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    Seaweed Extract-based Biostimulant Impacts on Nitrate Reductase Activity and Root Viability of Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Subjected to Heat and Drought Stress
    Zhang, Xunzhong; Taylor, Zachary; Goatley, Mike; Booth, Jordan; Brown, Isabel; Kosiarski, Kelly (American Society for Horticultural Science, 2022-10-01)
    Bermudagrass is a warm-season turfgrass species widely used for sports fields, home lawns, and golf courses. Ultradwarf bermudagrass has been used for golf course greens, but its quality declines with abiotic stresses. This 2-year study was designed to investigate if foliar applications of seaweed extract-based biostimulant UtilizeVR could improve ultradwarf bermudagrass photosynthetic function, nitrate reductase activity, root growth, and root function while under heat stress and drought stress conditions. UtilizeVR was applied to ultradwarf bermudagrass canopy at 0, 88, 117, 175, and 234 lL•m22. Two weeks after the initial application of UtilizeVR , bermudagrass was subjected to heat (40/36 ◦C, day/night) and drought stress (40–50% evapotranspiration replacement) for up to 42 days. Heat stress and drought stress caused decline of the turf quality. Foliar application of UtilizeVR at 117, 175, and 234 lL•m22 biweekly consistently improved turf quality and leaf color ratings and increased leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, net photosynthetic rate, nitrate reductase activity, and root growth and viability. On average, UtilizeVR at 117, 175, and 234 lL•m22 increased turf quality ratings by 9.1%, 12.1%, and 10.6%, respectively, net photosynthetic rates by 32.4%, 45.0%, and 35.0%, respectively, and nitrate reductase activity by 16.7%, 18.8%, and 14.6%, respectively, compared with the control. UtilizeVR at 117, 175, and 234 lL•m22 increased the root biomass, root length, surface area, and root volume compared with the control. UtilizeVR at 88, 117, 175, and 234 lL•m22 increased root viability by 46.2%, 73.1%, 88.5%, and 74.4%, respectively, relative to the control. The results of this study suggest that seaweed extract-based biostimulant UtilizeVR improves nitrogen metabolism, photosynthetic function, root growth, and root viability. Foliar application of UtilizeVR at rates between 117 and 175 lL•m22 biweekly can be considered an effective approach to improving ultradwarf bermudagrass performance under heat stress and drought stress environments.
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    Silicon Improves Heat and Drought Stress Tolerance Associated with Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Root Viability in Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.)
    Zhang, Xunzhong; Goatley, Mike; Wang, Kehua; Goddard, Ben; Harvey, Rose; Brown, Isabel; Kosiarski, Kelly (MDPI, 2024-05-30)
    Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is an important cool-season turfgrass species widely used for golf course putting greens; however, it experiences summer stress and quality decline in the U.S. transition zone and other regions with similar climates. Silicon (Si) may improve the abiotic stress of creeping bentgrass, but the mechanism of its impact on plant drought and heat tolerance is not well understood, and a few studies have reported on the effects of Si on creeping bentgrass drought and heat tolerance. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Ortho-silicic acid (Ortho-Si) on antioxidant metabolism and root growth characteristics and viability in creeping bentgrass under drought and heat-stress conditions. The three treatments, including control, Ortho-Si at 0.16 mL m−2 and 0.32 mL m−2, were applied biweekly to creeping bentgrass. Foliar application of the Ortho-Si exhibited beneficial effects on turf quality, physiological fitness, and root growth in creeping bentgrass. The Ortho-Si application at 0.16 mL m−2 and 0.32 mL m−2 improved turf quality ratings by 9.5% and 11.1%, respectively, photochemical efficiency (PE) by 6.9% and 8.5%, respectively, chlorophyll content by 27.1% and 29.9%, and carotenoids content by 25.5% and 27.2%, respectively, when compared to the control at the end of the trial. The Ortho-Si treatments enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity; the highest amount, in particular, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 32.8%, catalase (CAT) by 12.8%, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity by 37.4%, as compared to the control. The Ortho-Si application reduced leaf hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration relative to the control. In addition, exogenous Ortho-Si improved leaf Si concentration. The Ortho-Si application at 0.32 mL m−2 increased root biomass by 52.7% and viability by 89.3% relative to the control. Overall, Ortho-Si at 0.32 mL m−2 had greater beneficial effects than the low rate (0.16 mL m−2). Exogenous Si may improve drought and heat tolerance by protecting photosynthetic function, enhancing the activities of leaf antioxidant enzymes, and stimulating root growth, viability, and Si uptake. The results of this study suggest that foliar application of Ortho-Si at 0.32 mL m−2 may be considered to be an effective approach to improve turf quality and physiological fitness of creeping bentgrass during the summer months in the U.S. transition zone and other regions with similar climates.
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    Tractor Safety: Lawn Care Training Guide, Safe Use of Tractors
    Grisso, Robert D.; Perumpral, John V.; Ohanehi, Don; Goatley, Mike; Jamison, Kathleen; Sutphin, Cathy M.; Swafford, Dan; Estes, Carl (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020)
    The purpose of this training guide is to familiarize supervisors and managers in the green industry with compact tractors and how they can be used safely. This includes built in safety features on the tractor, and safe practices during tractor use in the green industry.