Effects of mixed sowing of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacaea Schreb.) varieties Millennium 2 and Arid 3 on growth of lawns.

Allelopathic effect can lead to continuous cropping problem in plants. Mixed sowing of different species/varieties may overcome this problem. Two turfgrass (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) varieties Millennium2 and Arid3 were studied for their growth potential in mixture and effects on growth of lawns. The results showed that the mixed sowing proportion had significant impact on the growth of turfgrass. The main variety 0 showed improved physiological indices and better growth in mixture ratio of 4:1. The variety Millennium2 was more sensitive to mixture than Arid3. GC-MS analysis showed that the root aqueous extracts of Millennium2 and Arid3 contained 15 and 22 allelopathic compounds, respectively, and the content of 1,1-diethoxy-3-methylbutane was highest. Both varieties shared 9-chemicals (1,1-Diethoxybutane, 2-methylpentanoyl 2-methylpentanoate, 1,1-diethoxy-3-methylbutane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxan, 6-ethyl-2-methyloctane, 5-methylundecane, 4,6-dimethyldodecane, henicosane and icosane), while Arid3 and Millennium2 individually contained 13 and 6 unique compounds, respectively. Thus, the selection of compatible species/varieties and their suitable proportion is very important for ideal mixture to improve the appearance of lawn and ecological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]