Impact of Cycocel and Irrigation Levels on Growth Characteristics of Lawn Grass
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Abstract
A study conducted at the University of Raparin in Sulaimani province aimed to assess the effects of the plant growth regulator cycocel on various parameters of lawn growth. Spanning two seasons, from April 2021 to October 2022, the study took place in the field of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences. The seed utilized in the experiment was a blend comprising 40% Festuca arundinacea, 10% Poa pratensis, 40% Festuca arundinacea, and 10% Lolium perenne. The research involved three concentration levels of cycocel (0, 100, and 200 ppm) applied as foliar sprays during the plants' rapid growth phase. Additionally, three irrigation levels (A1, A2, and A3) were implemented, representing 100%, 80%, and 60% of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo), respectively. The findings revealed that the application of a 200 ppm cycocel foliar spray led to an increase in proline content compared to the control group under non-stressed conditions. Specifically, the lawn length was lowest in the treatment with 200 ppm cycocel (13.914 cm), whereas the control group exhibited the highest length (16.807 cm). Similarly, the control treatment showed the highest fresh weight (572.654 g) and dry weight (284.000 g), while the 200 ppm cycocel concentration yielded the lowest values (395.288 g and 260.740 g, respectively). Statistical analysis of the data indicated significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) in lawn growth resulting from different irrigation levels. The highest lawn height (16.08 cm) was observed in A1, whereas the lowest height (15.277 cm) was recorded in A2. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in fresh weight, with the A2 group exhibiting the highest value (522.67 g), while the A1 and A3 groups recorded 502.07 g and 404.72 g, respectively. Notably, a significant difference in dry weight was observed between the A1 (302.81 g) and A2 (306.96 g) irrigation levels. Proline content also varied across irrigation levels, with the A3 level recording 16.59 mg g-1 fw, and the A1 and A2 levels showing 13.201 mg g-1 fw and 12.81 mg g-1 fw, respectively.