Earlier studies on the source of signals controlling correlative inhibition of root buds (underground adventitious buds located on the lateral roots) in Euphorbia esula indicated that either growing meristems (apical or axillary buds) or fully expanded leaves could prevent root buds from breaking quiescence. An investigation of the production and transport requirements of the leaf-derived signal is described. As few as three leaves remaining on budless stems greatly reduced the growth of (but not the number of growing) root buds. Also, light and CO2 fixation were necessary for the leaf effects on root bud growth, but not necessary for correlative inhibition imposed by growing axillary buds. Treatment of plants with Ametryn induced root bud growth on budless plants but not on plants with intact axillary buds. The polar auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid prevented transmission or the signal from growing axillary buds, but it had only a minor effect on the transmission of the leaf-derived signal. Treatment of plants with gibberellic acid (GA) induced growth of root buds under otherwise noninducing conditions to some extent in all plants. However, the greatest effects of GA were on plants with intact leaves (meristemless/budless and meristemless). GA had no significant effect on root bud quiescence under conditions that induced root bud growth.

The postemergence herbicide ethofumesate and the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol were evaluated for annual bluegrass control in creeping bentgrass turf managed as golf fairways. Both products were applied under several different timing regimes relative to the time of the year. Paclobutrazol treatments provided significantly greater annual bluegrass control than ethofumesate. There were no differences between rates of paclobutrazol (0.28 and 0.14 kg ai/ha) when applied from spring through summer. Annual bluegrass control after spring and summer applications of paclobutrazol was 85% or more. Clipping weight data indicated that paclobutrazol suppressed growth in annual bluegrass longer than in creeping bentgrass. It was concluded that prolonged suppression of annual bluegrass by paclobutrazol resulted in creeping bentgrass dominance and subsequent annual bluegrass control. Additionally, applications of ethofumesate in autumn–winter, followed by paclobutrazol applied in spring–summer, provided significant control of annual bluegrass in 1 yr of the study.

Studies were conducted for 12 wk from June 16 to September 8, 2003 and July 10 to October 4, 2004 with the objective of evaluating growth regulation, lateral regrowth, and injury of Tifway bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy Tifway] in response to two GA-inhibiting plant growth regulators, trinexapac-ethyl and flurprimidol. Trinexapac-ethyl was applied alone at 0, 0.052, and 0.104 kg ai/ha and flurprimidol alone at 0, 0.14, and 0.28 kg ai/ ha, plus all combinations. Applications were made every 3 wk for the duration of the study. Tifway bermudagrass clipping yield was reduced 33% and 54% by trinexapac-ethyl at 0.104 kg/ha at 4 and 8 wk after initial treatment (WAIT), respectively. Flurprimidol at 0.28 kg/ha reduced clipping yield 49% 8 WAIT. Lateral regrowth was reduced 20% 2 WAIT by trinexapac-ethyl at 0.104 kg/ha, and 26% 2 WAIT by flurprimidol at 0.28 kg/ha. Lateral regrowth was reduced 13% 4 WAIT by trinexapac-ethyl at 0.104 kg/ha, and 15% 4 WAIT by flurprimidol at 0.28 kg/ha. Overall, acceptable injury (<30%) was observed with a trinexapac-ethyl and flurprimidol tank mixture; however, this evaluation did not indicate an advantage in growth regulation when using a tank mixture of these products, compared to using them alone.

Turf managers combine ethephon with trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on bentgrass greens to suppress annual bluegrass, inhibit turf growth, and enhance turf quality; however, effects of this growth regulator combination have not been reported on bermudagrass greens. Two experiments were conducted at the Clemson University Greenhouse Complex to investigate the response of ‘TifEagle’ bermudagrass to ethephon and TE. TifEagle bermudagrass plugs were placed in pots with 23-cm depths, 324-cm2 total surface areas, and a soil medium of an 85:15 (v/v) sand and peat moss mix. Ethephon was applied at 0, 3.8 (EP1), and 7.6 (EP2) kg ai/ha/3 wk with TE at 0 and 0.04 kg ai/ha/ 3 wk over a 9-wk period. Initial responses of bermudagrass to ethephon included chlorotic leaves and severe thinning. Bermudagrass treated with ethephon had quality reduced as much as 33% from nontreated turf. TE enhanced turf quality 4 to 22% from 4 to 9 wk after initial treatment. TE helped mask ethephon-induced quality decline after the third application. In the presence of TE, bermudagrass clipping yield was reduced from nontreated turf by 57, 70, and 72% when ethephon was applied at 0, 3.8, and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk. Ethephon linearly reduced root mass after 9 wk from nontreated turf by 20 and 33% at 3.8 and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk, respectively. Compared with respective ethephon rates alone, bermudagrass treated with TE and ethephon at 0, 3.8, and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk, averaged 28, 8, and 15% more root mass. Ethephon at 3.8 and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk without TE reduced TifEagle bermudagrass root length 14 and 16%, respectively, compared with untreated turf. Bermudagrass treated with ethephon at 0, 3.8, and 7.6 kg/ha/3 wk with TE averaged 3, 11, and 17% higher root length compared with respective ethephon rates after 9 wk. Overall, ethephon may have negative effects on TifEagle root mass, root length, and turf quality. However, combining ethephon with TE may help reduce these deleterious effects.