La brûlure en plaques, causée par le champignon Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, est la maladie la plus importante sur les terrains de golf en Amérique du Nord, et son contrôle repose essentiellement sur l’utilisation répétée des fongicides de synthèse. Au Québec, les gestionnaires de terrains de golf doivent trouver des méthodes alternatives de contrôle pour cette maladie afin de réduire leur utilisation de pesticides. L’utilisation d’éliciteurs des réactions de défense des plantes est une méthode peu étudiée pour diminuer l’incidence des maladies chez les graminées à gazon. L’objectif de cette thèse était de mesurer l’efficacité de ces produits et de comprendre les mécanismes impliqués dans leur mode d’action. Premièrement, nous avons mesuré l’efficacité de trois éliciteurs, (silicate de potassium, phosphite et acibenzolar-S-méthyle) pour diminuer l’incidence de la brûlure en plaques sur les terrains de golf. Nos résultats démontrent que le phosphite et, dans une moindre mesure, le silicate de potassium, peuvent réduire l’incidence de cette maladie. Par la suite, nous avons développé une méthode pour mesurer l’expression des gènes chez l’agrostide stolonifère (Agrostis stolonifera) à l’aide d’une hybridation hétérologue de l’ARN de cette dernière sur une biopuce de riz (Oryza sativa). Cette méthode nous a permis valider l’utilité de cette plateforme et de constater que l’infection de S. homoeocarpa sur l’agrostide stolonifère a pour effet de diminuer la transcription de l’ARN, l’accumulation des sucres, la synthèse des lipides et la synthèse de l’ATP, tout en augmentant la remobilisation protéique (dégradation des protéines et transport des peptides). Enfin, en utilisant cette même méthode, nous avons mesuré les effets de l’application de deux éliciteurs sur l’expression des gènes chez l’agrostide. Les résultats de cette expérience montrent que l’application de ces deux éliciteurs modifie l’expression des gènes chez l’agrostide, et particulièrement ceux impliqués dans la synthèse et la dégradation des protéines. Les deux éliciteurs ont aussi affecté l’expression de plusieurs facteurs de transcription, et de quelques gènes impliqués dans les réactions de défense. Nos résultats permettent de mieux comprendre les effets des éliciteurs sur la relation A. stolonifera- S. homoeocarpa et ouvrent la porte à d’autres expériences permettant raffiner les connaissances scientifiques sur cette maladie. / Dollar spot, caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, is the most important disease on golf courses in North America, and its control relies mostly on repeated fungicide applications. In Québec, golf course superintendents have to develop alternate control methods for this disease in order to comply with government-imposed goals of pesticide reduction. The use of elicitors to stimulate plant resistance mechanisms and reduce disease incidence has received little attention in turfgrass. The objectives of this thesis were to assess the efficacy of these products and to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in their mode of action. In order to do so, we first measured the efficacy of three elicitors (potassium silicate, phosphite and acibenzolar-S-methyl) to reduce dollar spot incidence on golf courses. Our results show that phosphite, and to some extent potassium silicate, can reduce dollar spot pressure on golf courses. We then developed a method to monitor gene expression in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) by using a rice (Oryza sativa) microarray in order to perform a heterologous hybridization. This technique allowed us to confirm the usefulness of this platform and to observe that, during the infection process by S. homoeocarpa, the expression of genes involved in RNA transcription, sugar accumulation, lipid synthesis and ATP synthesis are down-regulated in creeping bentgrass, while those involved in protein cycling (protein degradation and peptide transport) are up-regulated. Finally, by using this same platform, we were able to monitor gene expression in creeping bentgrass treated with either potassium silicate or phosphite, and inoculated with S. homoeocarpa. Our results indicate that both elicitors significantly affect gene expression in creeping bentgrass, and particularly those involved in protein synthesis and degradation. Both elicitors also affected the accumulation of transcripts coding for transcription factors and for a few genes involved in plant defense mechanisms. Our results allow us to gain a better understanding of the effects of elicitors on the A. stolonifera – S. homoeocarpa interaction and open up the possibility of other experiments using the same platform in order to increase our knowledge on this disease.

Managing soil hydrophobicity caused by localized dry spots (LDS) on sand based golf greens has become one of the greatest challenges for golf course superintendents and managers, especially as water restrictions intensify. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thirteen soil surfactants in eliminating LDS and in maximizing root zone soil moisture on a sand based USGA golf green located on the California Central Coast. Potential water repellency of air dried cores (measured utilizing the water droplet penetration time (WDPT) method), phytotoxicity, and climate were analyzed during two experimental trials. Phytotoxicity data was collected for Trial I using visual quality ratings and for Trial II using a chlorophyll meter. Phytotoxicity decreased during Trial I. Differences in phytotoxicity as measured using chlorophyll index were not at all significant during Trial II (p = 1). Ten of the thirteen wetting agent treatments significantly (p < 0.001) decreased soil hydrophobicity compared with the other wetting agent treated plots and the non-treated control. More frequent application of Cascade Plus resulted in a more significant reduction in soil hydrophobicity. Increasing the application rates also resulted in the reduction of soil hydrophobicity. Wetting agent treatment 6-CP(10day) maintained the highest volumetric water content (VWC) but treatment 13-2079337 maintained the highest levels for wetting agents treated monthly.

Soil application of a known activator of Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR), benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester (BTH), and Harmonizer, a polychlorinated copper (II) phthalocyanine pigment, reduced severity of Colletotrichum orbiculare in Nicotiana benthamiana by 99% and 38%, respectively. BTH induced expression of nine SAR/progammed cell death-related genes and primed expression of two Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR)-related genes, while Harmonizer induced expression of only one SAR-related gene. Soil application of Harmonizer also reduced severity of Sclerotinia homoeocarpa in Agrostis stolonifera up to 39%, whereas BTH was ineffective. Next generation sequencing identified over 1000 genes in A. stolonifera with two-fold or higher increased expression following Harmonizer treatment relative to a water control, and induced expression of three defense-related genes was confirmed by relative RT-PCR. These results demonstrate that Harmonizer can activate systemic resistance in a dicot and a monocot, but changes in expression of genes indicated that it differed from BTH-activated SAR. / Petro-Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation

Este estudo descreve a diversidade de actinobactérias isoladas da esponja marinha Aplysina fulva e o potencial destes microorganismos como produtores de metabólitos bioativos com propriedades fungicidas e herbicidas. Actinobactérias são prolíficas produtoras de compostos farmacologicamente importantes, pois cerca de 70% dos antibióticos naturalmente derivados que estão atualmente em uso clínico são produzidos por estes microorganismos. Entretanto este valor é ainda inexpressivo na indústria agrícola. Agroquímicos sintéticos ainda são dominantes no mercado apesar de estarem menos efetivos contra plantas daninhas e patógenos cada vez mais resistentes. Neste trabalho, um total de 21 actinobactérias foram isoladas com a utilização de meios seletivos. Análises filogenéticas baseadas no sequenciamento parcial do gene que codifica para o rRNA 16S mostrou que estes microorganismos pertencem a oito gêneros do filo Actinobacteria: Kocuria; Citricoccus; Terrabacter; Gordonia; Agrococcus; Tsukamurella; Brevibacterium e Streptomyces. Os extratos de todos os isolados foram testados para verificar a produção de metabólitos secundários com propriedades fungicidas contra os fungos fitopagênicos de importância agrícola: Pythium aphanidermatum; Phytophthora capsici e Magnaporthe grisea. O extrato bruto de 43% dos isolados mostrou atividade fungicida para ao menos um dos patógenos. O perfil químico do extrato dos isolados com bioatividade positiva foram similares mesmo entre gêneros diferentes. Os metabólitos do Streptomyces ASPSP 103 foram mais eficientes devido à forte inibição contra todos os patógenos testados. Portanto este isolado foi selecionado e testado para atividade herbicida por meio de screening que teve início com testes de atividade algicida contra a microalga Selenastrum capricornutum. Acreditamos que actinobactérias associadas a esponjas marinhas desempenham um papel de defesa química contra microalgas que possam obstruir os porócitos asfixiando o animal, e que estes compostos algicidas possivelmente tenham ação herbicida. Foi verificada atividade do extrato bruto do Streptomyces ASPSP 103 contra S. capricornutum, e a atividade herbicida pré-emergência com um efeito fraco em Lactuca sativa (dicotiledônea) e uma forte inibição em Agrostis stolonifera (monocotiledônea). A purificação do extrato bruto para isolamento do composto bioativo foi guiado por bioensaio contra Pythium aphanidermatum, um oomiceto de rápido crescimento e sensível aos metabólitos de ASPSP 103 previamente testados. Foi identificado o composto da classe butenolida com atividade herbicida préemergência contra Agrostis stolonifera (IC50 33.43 &mu;g/mL). Este é o primeiro relato da atividade de butenolida para atividade herbicida. Estudos aprofundados em taxonomia mostraram que as características filogenéticas, morfológicas e químicas do isolado ASPSP 103 são consistentes com o gênero Streptomyces. Portanto devido algumas diferenças em parâmetros taxonômicos, ASPSP 103T foi proposto como linhagem tipo para uma nova espécie de Streptomyces, para qual o nome Streptomyces atlanticus sp. nov. foi sugerido. Estes resultados enfatizam o potencial de Streptomyces marinhos para produzir compostos bioativos com potencial de aplicação em agrobiotecnologia. / Actinobacteria are producers of important pharmacological compounds. About 70% of natural antibiotics are derived from these microorganisms. However, the use of natural compounds are still limited in the agricultural industry, even considering that synthetic pesticides are less effective against pathogens and weed plants. This study describes the diversity of actinobacteria associated with the marine sponge Aplysina fulva and their potential as producers of bioactive compounds with fungicidal and herbicidal properties. In this study, a total of 21 actinomycetes were isolated with the use of selective media. Phylogenetic analyzes based on partial sequencing of the gene encoding for 16S rRNA showed that these microorganisms belong to eight Actinobacteria genera, including Kocuria, Citricoccus, Terrabacter, Gordonia, Agrococcus, Tsukamurella, Brevibacterium and Streptomyces. The extracts of all isolates were tested for the production of secondary metabolites with fungicidal properties against the following phytopathogenic fungi: of Pythium aphanidermatum, Phytophthora capsici and Magnaporthe grisea. The crude extract of 43% of the isolates showed fungicidal activity for at least one of the pathogens. The chemical profiles of the actinobacteria extracts with positive bioactivity were similar even among different genus. The metabolites of Streptomyces ASPSP 103 were more efficient because of the strong inhibition against all tested pathogens. So, the isolate ASPSP 103 was selected and tested for herbicide activity through screening for algaecide activity towards microalgae Selenastrum capricornutum. We believe that actinobacteria associated with marine sponges play a role in chemical defense against algae that can obstruct the pores, choking the animal. These algaecides compounds possibly have herbicide action. Activity of the Streptomyces ASPSP 103 crude extract against S. capricornutum was observed. In addition, it was observed a weak pre-emergence herbicide activity on Lactuca sativa (dicot) and a strong inhibition in Agrostis stolonifera (monocot). The purification of the crude extract to isolate the bioactive compound was guided by bioassay against Pythium aphanidermatum, a fast growing oomycete and sensitive to metabolites from ASPSP 103 previously tested. The butenolide compound was identified with pre-emergence herbicidal activity against Agrostis stolonifera (IC50 33.43 &mu;g/mL). This is the first report of butenolide activity with herbicide activity. Taxonomy studies showed that the phylogenetic, morphological and chemical characteristics of the isolated ASPSP 103 are consistent with the Streptomyces genus. Then, considering some differences in taxonomic parameters, ASPSP 103T was proposed as line type for a new species of Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces atlanticus sp. nov. was suggested. These results emphasize the potential of marine Streptomyces to produce bioactive compounds with potential biotechnological application in agricultural industry.

Este estudo descreve a diversidade de actinobactérias isoladas da esponja marinha Aplysina fulva e o potencial destes microorganismos como produtores de metabólitos bioativos com propriedades fungicidas e herbicidas. Actinobactérias são prolíficas produtoras de compostos farmacologicamente importantes, pois cerca de 70% dos antibióticos naturalmente derivados que estão atualmente em uso clínico são produzidos por estes microorganismos. Entretanto este valor é ainda inexpressivo na indústria agrícola. Agroquímicos sintéticos ainda são dominantes no mercado apesar de estarem menos efetivos contra plantas daninhas e patógenos cada vez mais resistentes. Neste trabalho, um total de 21 actinobactérias foram isoladas com a utilização de meios seletivos. Análises filogenéticas baseadas no sequenciamento parcial do gene que codifica para o rRNA 16S mostrou que estes microorganismos pertencem a oito gêneros do filo Actinobacteria: Kocuria; Citricoccus; Terrabacter; Gordonia; Agrococcus; Tsukamurella; Brevibacterium e Streptomyces. Os extratos de todos os isolados foram testados para verificar a produção de metabólitos secundários com propriedades fungicidas contra os fungos fitopagênicos de importância agrícola: Pythium aphanidermatum; Phytophthora capsici e Magnaporthe grisea. O extrato bruto de 43% dos isolados mostrou atividade fungicida para ao menos um dos patógenos. O perfil químico do extrato dos isolados com bioatividade positiva foram similares mesmo entre gêneros diferentes. Os metabólitos do Streptomyces ASPSP 103 foram mais eficientes devido à forte inibição contra todos os patógenos testados. Portanto este isolado foi selecionado e testado para atividade herbicida por meio de screening que teve início com testes de atividade algicida contra a microalga Selenastrum capricornutum. Acreditamos que actinobactérias associadas a esponjas marinhas desempenham um papel de defesa química contra microalgas que possam obstruir os porócitos asfixiando o animal, e que estes compostos algicidas possivelmente tenham ação herbicida. Foi verificada atividade do extrato bruto do Streptomyces ASPSP 103 contra S. capricornutum, e a atividade herbicida pré-emergência com um efeito fraco em Lactuca sativa (dicotiledônea) e uma forte inibição em Agrostis stolonifera (monocotiledônea). A purificação do extrato bruto para isolamento do composto bioativo foi guiado por bioensaio contra Pythium aphanidermatum, um oomiceto de rápido crescimento e sensível aos metabólitos de ASPSP 103 previamente testados. Foi identificado o composto da classe butenolida com atividade herbicida préemergência contra Agrostis stolonifera (IC50 33.43 &mu;g/mL). Este é o primeiro relato da atividade de butenolida para atividade herbicida. Estudos aprofundados em taxonomia mostraram que as características filogenéticas, morfológicas e químicas do isolado ASPSP 103 são consistentes com o gênero Streptomyces. Portanto devido algumas diferenças em parâmetros taxonômicos, ASPSP 103T foi proposto como linhagem tipo para uma nova espécie de Streptomyces, para qual o nome Streptomyces atlanticus sp. nov. foi sugerido. Estes resultados enfatizam o potencial de Streptomyces marinhos para produzir compostos bioativos com potencial de aplicação em agrobiotecnologia. / Actinobacteria are producers of important pharmacological compounds. About 70% of natural antibiotics are derived from these microorganisms. However, the use of natural compounds are still limited in the agricultural industry, even considering that synthetic pesticides are less effective against pathogens and weed plants. This study describes the diversity of actinobacteria associated with the marine sponge Aplysina fulva and their potential as producers of bioactive compounds with fungicidal and herbicidal properties. In this study, a total of 21 actinomycetes were isolated with the use of selective media. Phylogenetic analyzes based on partial sequencing of the gene encoding for 16S rRNA showed that these microorganisms belong to eight Actinobacteria genera, including Kocuria, Citricoccus, Terrabacter, Gordonia, Agrococcus, Tsukamurella, Brevibacterium and Streptomyces. The extracts of all isolates were tested for the production of secondary metabolites with fungicidal properties against the following phytopathogenic fungi: of Pythium aphanidermatum, Phytophthora capsici and Magnaporthe grisea. The crude extract of 43% of the isolates showed fungicidal activity for at least one of the pathogens. The chemical profiles of the actinobacteria extracts with positive bioactivity were similar even among different genus. The metabolites of Streptomyces ASPSP 103 were more efficient because of the strong inhibition against all tested pathogens. So, the isolate ASPSP 103 was selected and tested for herbicide activity through screening for algaecide activity towards microalgae Selenastrum capricornutum. We believe that actinobacteria associated with marine sponges play a role in chemical defense against algae that can obstruct the pores, choking the animal. These algaecides compounds possibly have herbicide action. Activity of the Streptomyces ASPSP 103 crude extract against S. capricornutum was observed. In addition, it was observed a weak pre-emergence herbicide activity on Lactuca sativa (dicot) and a strong inhibition in Agrostis stolonifera (monocot). The purification of the crude extract to isolate the bioactive compound was guided by bioassay against Pythium aphanidermatum, a fast growing oomycete and sensitive to metabolites from ASPSP 103 previously tested. The butenolide compound was identified with pre-emergence herbicidal activity against Agrostis stolonifera (IC50 33.43 &mu;g/mL). This is the first report of butenolide activity with herbicide activity. Taxonomy studies showed that the phylogenetic, morphological and chemical characteristics of the isolated ASPSP 103 are consistent with the Streptomyces genus. Then, considering some differences in taxonomic parameters, ASPSP 103T was proposed as line type for a new species of Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces atlanticus sp. nov. was suggested. These results emphasize the potential of marine Streptomyces to produce bioactive compounds with potential biotechnological application in agricultural industry.

The aim of this study is to provide a further insight into influence of environment on clonal plants. The study focuses particularly on effects of fertilization level and light availability on production and growth of clonal organs. Three experiments were carried out within the study, targeted to elicit influence of these environmental conditions or clonal interactions on six species of clonal plants. Interspecies dependencies on these conditions was compared, regarding habitat occurrence of these species. A comparison was made also between species producing rhizomes and stolons. The experiments revealed that five of six studied species show significant relationship among at least one environmental condition and parameters of clonal reproduction. Most of the species showed higher elongation and production of clonal organs in relation to fertilization level. On the contrary, only three species reacted significantly to the light availability level by alternation of at least one parameter of clonal reproduction and the light availability level affected each species differently. A strong influence on production and elongation of clonal organs had also a size of a plant. There was not found significant difference in influence of environmental conditions on clonal reproduction among plant families. It...

Cultivars of Agrostis stolonifera showed weak and strong responsiveness to the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) activator, benzothiadiazole (BTH), or the induced systemic resistance (ISR) activator, 2R, 3R-butanediol (BD). Next Generation RNA sequencing was used to identify 2163 putative transcripts with increased expression in BTH versus water-treated A. stolonifera. Among three BTH-induced genes, AsASP-2 and AsHIR-1 were induced faster, while AsLOX-1 had stronger transient induction, in one out of two strongly BTH-responsive cultivars. Three ISR-responsive genes, AsGNS-5, AsOPR-4 and AsAOS-1, showed no greater induction or priming in the strongly versus weakly BD-responsive cultivars. Cultivars of A. stolonifera vary significantly in their response to defense activators, however this is not consistently related to defense gene expression. To quantify disease severity, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was tested on Nicotiana benthamiana infected with Colletotrichum orbiculare. Leaf areas of healthy, non-necrotic affected and necrotic tissue could be individually quantified, which demonstrated that BD delayed symptom development by approx. 24-hour and reduced non-necrotic affected tissue compared to controls. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging can quantify and reveal novel features about induced disease resistance.

Presence and range of phenotypic plasticity in the Agrostis stolonifera polyploid complex (Poaceae) was studied in the territory of the Czech Republic. Plants were cultivated under different experimental conditions. Stomatal size of different Agrostis stolonifera cytotypes was measured. Flow cytometry was applied for genome size estimation. Ploidy levels were determined for more than 150 samples of Agrostis stolonifera as well as several specimens of Agrostis canina, A. capillaris, A. gigantea, A. rupestris and A. vinealis. Absolute DNA content was estimated in all studied species. Isozyme analysis was used to test the possibility of the hybrid origin of pentaploid individuals of Agrostis stolonifera species.

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] and smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Schreb. ex Muhl.] are problematic weeds in bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass turf. Increased incidences of herbicide resistant weed populations and severe use restrictions on formerly available herbicides have increased need for selective, postemergence control options for these weeds in creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass turf. This weed management exigency has led turf managers to utilize less effective, more expensive, and more injurious options to manage goosegrass and smooth crabgrass. Although potentially injurious, topramezone can control these weeds, especially goosegrass, at low doses. Low-dose topramezone may also improve bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass response. An initial investigation of three 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibiting herbicides in different turf types showed that Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue were highly tolerant to topramezone, while creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass could tolerate topramezone doses that may control grassy weeds. Further investigation suggested that frequent, low-dose topramezone applications or metribuzin admixtures could enhance weed control and may conserve turfgrass quality. A novel mixture of topramezone at 3.7 g ae ha-1 and metribuzin at 210 g ai ha-1 controlled goosegrass effectively and reduced bermudagrass foliar bleaching associated with topramezone 10-fold compared to higher doses of topramezone alone in 19 field and 2 greenhouse trials. In an attempt to further enhance bermudagrass tolerance to topramezone, post-treatment irrigation was applied at various timings. When bermudagrass turf was irrigated with 0.25-cm water at 15 or 30 minutes after herbicide treatment, bermudagrass injury was reduced to acceptable levels when following low-dose topramezone plus metribuzin but not when following high-dose topramezone alone. Goosegrass control was reduced significantly by post-treatment irrigation in all cases, while irrigation reduced goosegrass control by low-dose topramezone plus metribuzin to below-commercially-acceptable levels. Novel, low-dose, frequent application programs containing topramezone or siduron were developed for season-long crabgrass or goosegrass control on creeping bentgrass greens. Greens-height creeping bentgrass quality was preserved following five biweekly treatments of siduron at rates between 3,400 to 13,500 g ai ha-1 and topramezone at 3.1 g ha-1. Siduron programs controlled smooth crabgrass and suppressed goosegrass while topramezone programs controlled goosegrass and suppressed smooth crabgrass. In laboratory and controlled-environment experiments, goosegrass absorbed three times more 14C than bermudagrass within 48 hours of 14C-topramezone treatment. Bermudagrass also metabolized topramezone twice as fast as goosegrass. Metribuzin admixture reduced absorption by 25% in both species. When herbicides were placed exclusively on soil, foliage, or soil plus foliage, topramezone controlled goosegrass only when applied to foliage and phytotoxicity of both bermudagrass and goosegrass was greater from topramezone than from metribuzin. Metribuzin was shown to reduce 21-d cumulative clipping weight and tiller production of both species while topramezone caused foliar discoloration to newly emerging leaves and shoots with only marginal clipping weight reduction. These data suggest that selectivity between bermudagrass and goosegrass is largely due to differential absorption and metabolism that reduces bermudagrass exposure to topramezone. Post-treatment irrigation likely reduces topramezone rate load with a concomitant effect on plant phytotoxicity of both species. Metribuzin admixture decreases white discoloration of bermudagrass by decreased topramezone absorption rate and eliminating new foliar growth that is more susceptible to discoloration by topramezone. / Doctor of Philosophy / Goosegrass and smooth crabgrass are problematic weeds in bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass turf. Increased incidences of herbicide resistant weed populations and severe use restrictions on formerly available herbicides have increased need for selective, postemergence control options for these weeds in creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass turf. Although potentially injurious, topramezone (Pylex™) can control these weeds, especially goosegrass, at low doses. Low-dose Pylex™ may also improve bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass response. An initial investigation evaluating tembotrione (Laudis®), Pylex™, and mesotrione (Tenacity®) in different turfgrass species showed that Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue were highly tolerant to Pylex™ at rates ranging from 0.75 to 2.25 fl. oz./A, while creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass were low to moderately tolerant to Pylex™. Further investigation suggested that frequent, low-dose (less than 0.25 fl. oz./A) Pylex™ applications or metribuzin (Sencor®) admixtures could enhance weed control and may conserve turfgrass quality. A novel mixture of Pylex™ at 0.15 fl. oz./A and Sencor® at 4 oz. wt./A controlled goosegrass effectively and reduced bermudagrass injury to near acceptable levels and significantly less than Pylex™ applied alone at 0.25 fl. oz/A. In an attempt to further enhance bermudagrass tolerance to Pylex™, post-treatment irrigation was applied at different timings. When bermudagrass turf was irrigated at 15 or 30 minutes after herbicide treatment, bermudagrass injury was reduced to acceptable levels when following Pylex™ at 0.25 fl. oz./A plus Sencor® at 4 oz but not when following Pylex™ applied alone at 0.5 fl. oz./A. Goosegrass control was reduced significantly by post-treatment irrigation in all cases, while irrigation reduced goosegrass control by low-dose Pylex™ plus Sencor® to below-commercially-acceptable levels. Novel, low-dose, frequent application programs containing Pylex™ or siduron (Tupersan®) were developed for season-long crabgrass or goosegrass control in creeping bentgrass greens. Greens-height creeping bentgrass quality was preserved following five biweekly treatments of Tupersan® at rates between 6 and 24 lb./A and Pylex™ at 0.125 fl. oz./A. Tupersan® programs controlled smooth crabgrass and suppressed goosegrass while Pylex™ programs controlled goosegrass and suppressed smooth crabgrass. The data from these studies indicate that utilizing low-dose Pylex™ in combination with Sencor® can impart acceptable bermudagrass safety while also controlling goosegrass effectively. For creeping bentgrass greens, the low-dose, frequent application of Tupersan® is the safest legal option for golf course superintendents to control smooth crabgrass effectively, while having some ability to suppress goosegrass.

Clonal plants may be able to cope with spatial heterogeneity due to the physiological integration of ramets. Previous studies demonstrated that benefits of clonal integration increase with patch contrast between individual ramets. However, the same magnitude of contrast may be perceived differently in rich and poor environments. According to the theoretical work of Caraco and Kelly (1991), I expected these benefits to be the greatest in overall poor conditions and high between-patch contrast. To test this hypothesis, I conducted experiments with pairs of ramets of a stoloniferous grass, Agrostis stolonifera, grown in variously nutrient rich conditions. The experiment with pairs of ramet of similar developmental age showed only very weak effect of integration on growth of ramets, although integration significantly improved survival of ramets and also affected root-shoot ratio of ramets. Nevertheless, there were considerable benefits of integration in the experiment with developmentally older mother ramets and their daughter ramets. Contrary to the predictions, the benefits of integration were bigger in rich conditions and they decreased with increasing between-patch contrast. In addition, effect of integration on root-shoot ratio of ramets was opposite to the expected specialization for acquisition...