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

plantDescribe the difference between tillering,

stoloniferus, and rhizomatous speciesRecognize 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 PointsMonocots- 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