An evaluation of multi-spectral responses on selected turfgrass species

Abstract

Multi-spectral measurements have been shown to detect plant stress in numerous species. Leaf chlorophyll concentration may change in response to altered plant physiological functions due to plant stress; this may also be detected by reflectance data. This research was conducted on established field plots of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) and bemudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L X C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) at the University of Georgia turfgrass rhizotron in Athens, GA. Multi-spectral data and visual ratings of quality, colour, and density were taken simultaneously on the two species in October 1997. Reflectance was greater in the C₄ bemudagrass than the C₃ bentgrass, greater in the visible range in bentgrass plots receiving N at 16.1 kg ha ^-1 and greater from 2 DAT on in bermudagrass plots receiving glyphosate.