Research On Micro-Environmental Factors Optimal For Growth And Controlling Of The Mosses In Bermudagrass Lawn

In recent years, the turfgrass in Shanghai and surrounding areas was primariliy bermudagrass. The growth of mosses in bermudagrass lawn could deteriorate the quality of bermudagrass, because the growth of mosses occupied the growing space of bermudagrass. This would lead to the damage of the use and viewing value of the bermudagrass. The growth of mosses in bermudagrass lawn had been a main factor to reduce the density and coverage of bermudagrass. Thus, it was meaningful to study the methods for mosses control and the difference of micro-environmental factors optimal for growth of bermudagrass and the mosses, which was the theoretical base for mosses control.The main research work included:1. Made species identification of the mosses on nine sample points on the Minhang campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Bryophytes were mainly composed of moss plants in this district. From the preliminary identification it could be found that there were 4 genera and 4 families, 11 species of moss plants in the experimental zone, which included Brachytheciaceae, Thuidiaceae, Pottiaceae and Hypnaceae.2. Seven pairs of samples of moss and bermudagrass and the soils where the sampled mosses(moss soil) and bermudagrass(bermudagrass soil) grow were collected twice in April of 2013 and 2014. Relative water content, electric conductivity and pH value were measured in the soil samples, while the relative contents of 23 inorganic elements and the absolute contents of nine environmental pollution elements including seven heavy metal elements, Al and As were detected in both soil and plant samples. Results from the measurements showed that the water content(24.7%) in moss soil was higher than that(23.5%) in bermudagrass soil within six days after moderate rain falling, while the pH value(7.93) of moss soil was significantly lower than that(8.03) in bermudagrass soil. Nonetheless, no significant difference was found for the electric conductivity between both soil types. The absolute contents of Al element and heavy metal elements of Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu and Ni in moss soil(6.7mg/kg-10608.5mg/kg) and moss plant(2.3mg/kg-1906.6mg/kg) were significantly higher than that in bermudagrass soil(1.4mg/kg-2730.9mg/kg) and bermudagrass plants(0.16mg/kg-80.5mg/kg). In addition, the absolute content of Pb element(3.4mg/kg) in mosses was significantly higher than that(0.2mg/kg) in bermudagrass, while little was detected in the soil samples. Relative contents of Cl(8.5%) and Br(0.2%) were detected in bermudagrass but not in moss plants and both types of soils, while Ti, Sr, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zr were measured in mosses but not in bermudagrass. It was inferred that relatively higher water content, lower pH value, and higher contents of heavy mental elements and Al but little content of Cl and Br in alkaline soil would enhance the burst and growth of mosses in the lawn.3. Through the screening of the 17 chemicals included herbicides, bactericide and moss scavenger by indoor cultivation and field plot experiment, a new chemical named Xia-1 had been found, which had obvious effect on mosses control and had the advantage of small water demand and high safety. The optimal concentration and using method of Xia-1 had been confirmed. It provided a new chemical control agent for mosses control in bermudagrass or other species of grass lawn.