Thermal convection dormancy on kikuyugrass
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Thermal convection symptoms on kikuyugrass - low area in the rough 12/9/04. The cause of the mottling is thermal convection where higher mowed turf funnels warm-soil-heated air up the plant as cold air flows down nearby resulting in distinct dormancy patterns that depend upon mowing height. Lower mowed turf enters dormancy more uniformly with foliage closer to the soil warm soil surface. Here are similar symptoms on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass.
