Effect of Mowing Height on Leaf Angle, Leaf Number, and Tiller Density of 62 Kentucky Bluegrasses1

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Abstract
Information is needed on the effects of mowing management on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) morphology. Recently released cultivars have a procumbem growth habit and, therefore, should be more tolerant of close mowing. A study was conducted on 62 Kentucky bluegrasses to determine the effects of mowing height on the leaf angle, leaf number, and tiller density. At each cutting height, the most significant difference among the cultivars was in the angle of the second leaf subtending the bud leaf. In general, when cutting heights were compared, most cultivars were more procumbent when mowed at 1.3 and 2.5 rather than 5.1 cm. Eighteen of the 62 cultivars, however, were not greatly affected by mowing because they varied by less than 6° across the cutting heights. Mowing height affected the leaf number per tiller. Most tillers had more leaves per tiller when mowed at the 2.5 cm height than at the other two heights. The numerical difference was small however, and this effect may only be of minor importance. Leafy cultivars tended to be more upright. As the cutting height decreased, tiller density increased; however, the cultivars varied as to which change in height brought about the most significant effect on tiller production.