HortScience · 1980 · 52 citations · 0 references
AgriculturePlant BiologyPlant SciencesCrop PhysiologyPhysiological EcologyTurfgrass ScienceCold HardinessCold Stress PhysiologyTurfgrass Drought ToleranceTurfgrass EcologyTurfgrass PhysiologyTurfgrass SpeciesCool-season GrassesCool-season TurfgrassesFreezingTurfgrass Growth Response To DroughtTurfgrass Growth Response To TemperatureTurfgrass Phenology
Abstract The cold hardiness of 6 cool season grass genera was compared in mid-winter under controlled freezing conditions. Creeping bentgrasses (Agrostis palustris Huds.) tolerated the lowest temperatures whereas perennial ryegrasses (Lolium perenne L.) was the least hardy. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) readily loses cold hardiness when exposed to warm conditions and did not reharden when exposed to cool temperatures. Appreciable hardiness in Kentucky bluegrass was induced by simulating drought conditions.