Author
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Kennedy, Ann |
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Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2016 Publication Date: 9/28/2016 Citation: Kennedy, A.C. 2016. Pseudomonas fluorescens strains selectively suppress annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.). Biological Control. 103:210–217. Interpretive Summary: Annual bluegrass is a major weed species in turf, turfgrass-seed production, sod production, and golf courses of the western United States. Although the life cycles of annual bluegrass and turfgrass are very similar, annual bluegrass is often more competitive than most turfgrass. Because these plants are so similar, selective control using conventional methods are limited. Naturally-occurring soil bacteria that suppress annual bluegrass growth have been isolated from soil. These bluegrass suppressing bacteria were exhaustively screened to select for only those that did not inhibit the growth of desirable plant species such as Kentucky bluegrass, other turfgrass species, other economic crops, and native plants. The bacteria grow along roots of annual bluegrass and deliver a compound that inhibits root growth and tiller initiation. The bacteria can also be used in combination with herbicides that inhibit growth and seed production. Bacteria can be used to reduce the seed bank of annual bluegrass in turf and turfgrass seed production, golf courses, and lawns. These weed-suppressing bacteria add a formidable tool in the toolbox to fight invasive grass weeds, while limiting the need for tillage and herbicide use for weed control. Technical Abstract: Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is a cool-season annual grass that is a major weed species in turf, turfgrass-seed production, sod production, and golf courses of the western United States. There are few selective herbicides available for the management of annual bluegrass. While the life cycles of annual bluegrass and turfgrass are very similar, the annual bluegrass is often more competitive than most turfgrass. Because these plants are so similar, selective control using conventional methods are limited. Pseudomonas fluorescens are naturally-occurring soil bacteria that were found to suppress annual bluegrass growth from 55 to 78% in field studies. These bluegrass suppressing bacteria were exhaustively screened to select for only those that did not inhibit the growth of desirable plant species such as Kentucky bluegrass, other turfgrass species, other economic crops, and native plants. The bacteria grow along roots of annual bluegrass and deliver a compound that inhibits root formation, root growth, and tiller initiation. The bacteria reduce the seed bank of annual bluegrass in turf and turfgrass seed production, golf courses, and lawns. These weed suppressing bacteria add a formidable tool in the toolbox to fight invasive grass weeds, while limiting the need for tillage and herbicide use for weed control. |
