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.