The Grass Between My Toes: Wait! Is That Fescue? Mr. Dale Cruzan Turf Grass Establishment & Maintenance

Performance Objectives On a demonstration evaluation, students will be able to identify and describe the various parts of the turfgrass plants and their use in the identification of major turfgrass species with 80% accuracy Identify and describe the major parts of the turfgrass plant Describe the difference between tillering, stoloniferus, and rhizomatous species Recognize the different leaf tips, leaf surfaces, auricles, collars, ligules, and vernation and how they are used in the identification of major species.

The Importance of Turfgrass How many people play sports or enjoy watching sports? Why would it be important to know which species of turfgrass is present?

Taking Me Back to Yesterday Key Points Monocots- 1 Seed Leaf at Germination, Scattered Vascular Bundles, and have primary growth only Dicots- 2 Seed Leaves at Germination, Concentric Vascular Bundles, and has primary and secondary growth Photosynthesis- The Process of Turning Carbon Dioxide and Water into Sugar and Oxygen Respiration: The use of Energy from Stored Compounds.

Parts of the Turfgrass Plants The Stem The Leaves The Roots The Seed Head

The Stem Primary Stem Provides support for the turf plant Supplies water, sugars, and minerals to the plant, transports sugars downward. The Stolon: An Aboveground Stem. Often grows roots Rhizome: A below ground stemt. Often grows roots

The Leaves The leaf’s primary purpose is to collect sunlight and exchange gases. The primary site of photosynthesis Major Parts of the Leaf: Midrib Blade

The Roots Store sugars, absorbs nutrients and water, and provides support for the plant. Primary Roots- The Main Root Lateral Root- Secondary Roots off the Primary Root Hairs- Hair like roots that uptake water and nutrients

The Seed Head Begins as a flower When flowers are pollinated, it begins to form a seed head. The purpose is to distribute the seeds and start new grass plants Often undesirable in manicured turf

How To Identify Turfgrass

Leaf Tips Pointed Rounded Boat Shaped

Leaf Surfaces

Auricles

Collars

Ligules

Vernations

Growth Habit

Where we’ve Been?

What’s Coming Up? The Differences between Cool Season and Warm Season Grasses Turf Grass Identification Turf Grass Selection The Role of Soils in Turfgrass Establishment and Maintenance