University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 5-2008 Changes in Endogenous Carotenoid Pools of Turf and Weed Species as Affected by Mesotrione and Environmental Conditions James D. McCurdy University of Tennesee - Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Plant Sciences Commons Recommended Citation McCurdy, James D., "Changes in Endogenous Carotenoid Pools of Turf and Weed Species as Affected by Mesotrione and Environmental Conditions. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2008. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/406 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by James D. McCurdy entitled "Changes in Endogenous Carotenoid Pools of Turf and Weed Species as Affected by Mesotrione and Environmental Conditions." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Plant Sciences. J. Scott McElroy, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Carl E. Sams, John C. Sorochan, Dean A. Kopsell Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by James D. McCurdy entitled “Changes in Endogenous Carotenoid Pools of Turf and Weed Species as Affected by Mesotrione and Environmental Conditions.” I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Plant Science. J. Scott McElroy, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Carl E. Sams John C. Sorochan Dean A. Kopsell Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official student records) CHANGES IN ENDOGENOUS CAROTENOID POOLS OF TURF AND WEED SPECIES AS AFFECTED BY MESOTRIONE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS A Thesis Presented for the Master of Science Degree. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. James D. McCurdy May 2008 THESIS ABSTRACT Mesotrione, a carotenoid biosynthesis inhibiting herbicide, was evaluated for its use in turfgrass systems. Experiments were conducted to evaluate smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) control with preemergence applications of mesotrione plus prodiamine. Experiments evaluated the influence of application timing on the efficacy of mesotrione plus prodiamine combinations and compared mesotrione plus prodiamine to current preemergence and early-postemergence herbicide treatments used for control of crabgrass. Greenhouse studies were conducted to compare the effects of foliar, soil, and soil plus foliar application of mesotrione on yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis). Research was conducted in environmental growth rooms to investigate the effects of light intensity and temperature on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and large crabgrass carotenoid composition following mesotrione application. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my committee consisting of my major advisor Dr. Scott McElroy, as well as Dr. Carl Sams, Dr. John Sorochan, and Dr. Dean Kopsell for their guidance during my time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I would like to acknowledge the graduate students and technicians of the weed science and turfgrass laboratories for their assistance, guidance, and camaraderie. Furthermore, I would like to thank my family for their continuing support. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS I. LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................ 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 2 Carotenoids .....................................................................................................................2 Mode of Action............................................................................................................... 3 Crop Resistance and Weed Control................................................................................ 4 Literature Cited............................................................................................................... 7 II. MESOTRIONE PLUS PRODIAMINE FOR SMOOTH CRABGRASS (DIGITARIA ISCHAEMUM) CONTROL IN ESTABLISHED BERMUDAGRASS TURF................ 10 Abstract......................................................................................................................... 11 Introduction................................................................................................................... 12 Materials and Methods.................................................................................................. 14 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................. 17 Sources of Materials ..................................................................................................... 22 Literature Cited............................................................................................................. 23 Appendix A................................................................................................................... 27 III. YELLOW NUTSEDGE (CYPERUS ESCULENTUS) AND LARGE CRABGRASS (DIGITARIA SANGUINALIS) RESPONSE TO SOIL VS. FOLIAR APPLIED MESOTRIONE................................................................................................................. 31 Abstract......................................................................................................................... 32 Introduction................................................................................................................... 33 Materials and Methods.................................................................................................. 34 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................. 36 Sources of Materials ..................................................................................................... 43 Literature Cited............................................................................................................. 44 Appendix B................................................................................................................... 47 IV. EFFECTS OF MESOTRIONE ON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS CAROTENOID CONCENTRATIONS UNDER VARYING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS....... 51 Abstract......................................................................................................................... 52 iv Introduction................................................................................................................... 54 Materials and Method ................................................................................................... 56 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................. 60 Sources of Materials ..................................................................................................... 66 Literature Cited............................................................................................................. 67 Appendix C................................................................................................................... 73 V. EFFECTS OF MESOTRIONE ON LARGE CRABGRASS CONTROL AND CAROTENOID CONCENTRATIONS UNDER VARYING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS .................................................................................................................. 79 Abstract......................................................................................................................... 80 Materials and Method ................................................................................................... 82 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................. 85 Sources of Materials ..................................................................................................... 90 Literature Cited............................................................................................................. 91 Appendix D................................................................................................................... 94 VITA ......................................................................................................................... 100 v LIST OF TABLES Table 1A. Growth stage of smooth crabgrass on herbicide application dates at Oak Ridge, TN, in 2005, at Jackson, TN, in 2006, and at Knoxville, TN, in 2006. ................ 28 Table 2A. Effect of mesotrione plus prodiamine tank-mixture and traditional preemergence crabgrass control scenarios on smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) control