Effects of plant biostimulants on seedling root and shoot growth of three cool‐season turfgrass species in a controlled environment

A plant bio-stimulant is a natural substance or microorganism applied to plants or soil to enhance growth and stress tolerance. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of 6 commercial plant bio-stimulants on root and shoot production in seedlings of three cool-season turf species grown under a controlled environment. Lolium perenne L., Agrostis palustris Huds, and Schedonorus arundinaceus Scherb were seeded into tobacco float trays and after germination were installed under a hydroponic system using half-dose Hoagland solution. Fifteen days after seeding, seedlings were treated with 6 different plant bio-stimulants applied within each float tray and then grown in a greenhouse for 25 days, following a split-plot design. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), air temperature and humidity were monitored for the duration of the study. The experiment was conducted twice. Fresh weight, dry weight, and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) were measured. The study showed that there is a positive effect on turfgrass performance when using humic substances and complex organic materials, and there are differences in responses by turfgrass species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved