Ultraviolet-B Radiation Damage on Kentucky Bluegrass II: Hormone Supplement Effects

High ultraviolet-B (UV-B; 290-320 nm wavelength) radiation may signifi cantly contribute to the quality decline and death of kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) sod during summer transplanting. Antioxidants and protective pigments may be involved in plant defense against oxidative stress caused by UV-B. Selected exogenous hormones may alleviate UV-B damage by upregulating plant defense systems. The objectives of this study were to determine if exogenous hormone or hormone-like substances could alleviate UV-B damage to 'Georgetown' kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) under greenhouse conditions. The hormone salicylic acid at 150 mg·m -2 and the hormone-containing substances, humic acid (HA) at 150 mg·m -2 and seaweed extract (SWE) at 50 mg·m -2 , were applied to plugs of kentucky bluegrass and then subjected to UV-B radiation (70 µmol·m -2 ·s -1 ). The UV-B irradiation stress reduced turf quality by 51% to 66% and photochemical effi ciency by 63% to 68% when measured 10 or 12 days after initiation of UV-B. Endogenous alpha-tocopherol (AT) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase) were reduced by UV-B stress. Anthocyanin content was increased from day 1 to 5 and then decreased from day 5 to 10 of continuous UV-B irradiation. Application of SA and HA + SWE enhanced photochemical effi ciency by 86% and 82%, respectively, when measured 10 or 12 days after UV-B initiation. In addition, application of the hormonal supplements increased AT concen- tration, SOD, catalase activity, and anthocyanin content when compared to the control at 10 days after UV-B initiation. Bluegrass with greater AT concentration and SOD and catalase activity exhibited better visual quality under UV-B stress. The results of this study suggest that foliar application of SA and HA + SWE may alleviate decline of photochemical effi ciency and turf quality associated with increased UV-B light levels during summer. The vagaries of the turfgrass and land-