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Irrigation effects on growth and visual quality of three ornamental grass species

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dc.contributor.authorRozum, Jane, author
dc.contributor.authorKlett, Jim, advisor
dc.contributor.authorKoski, Tony, committee member
dc.contributor.authorStromberger, Mary, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:43:02Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T06:43:02Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractOrnamental grasses have become ubiquitous in the landscape and are popular with consumers and industry professionals because of their favorable low-input cultural characteristics. These characteristics include low water and nutrient requirements, decreased maintenance, fast growth and few disease and insect problems. A study conducted at Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) examined the effects of four irrigation levels (0, 25, 50 and 100% of potential evapotranspiration (ET)) on growth and visual quality of three species of ornamental grasses (Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch' (Rotstrahlbusch Switchgrass), Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' (Blaze Little Bluestem) and Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed grass)). Averaged across species, maximum plant height and width was observed at the 25% irrigation level. We found that plant dry weight increased as irrigation level increased from 0 to 50% of ET, but there was a decrease in total plant dry weight at 100% of ET. This indicates that watering these species of ornamental grasses at 100% ET may be detrimental to growth and plant quality. The greatest drought stress, as measured by leaf water potential, was found with the mesic species C. brachytricha. Averaged across species, leaf water potential was most negative (greatest drought stress) at 0% of ET and the least amount of stress was observed at 50 and 100% of ET. At the conclusion of the study, visual ratings of plant form, floral impact and landscape impact were highest at the 25% of ET irrigation level. Our research with these three species in Colorado suggests that irrigation at 25% of ET produces the healthiest plants, with greater height, width, dry weight and visual impact in the landscape. This agrees with anecdotal observations that ornamental grasses will perform better in a landscape with limited irrigation and other inputs.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierRozum_colostate_0053N_12297.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/82634
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectirrigation effects
dc.subjectornamental grasses
dc.titleIrrigation effects on growth and visual quality of three ornamental grass species
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineHorticulture and Landscape Architecture
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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