Developing a Device to Quantify Light Penetration in Turfgrass Canopies
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Light penetration measurements have not been possible in turfgrass environments due to the large size of commercial light bars relative to the low height of the turfgrass canopy. A light bar was designed and constructed for use in turfgrass canopies mowed as short as 1.3 cm. The instrument uses four miniature solar cells connected in parallel and mounted to a high density polyethylene (HDPE) bar measuring 3.5-mm wide, 6-mm tall, and 200-mm long. The constructed light bar was calibrated against a Li-Cor (Li-Cor, Lincoln, NE) pyranometer sensor and obtained a relationship of Y = 1.0293e16.039x with an R2 value of 0.96. Data demonstrate measured differences in light penetration through an annual ryegrass (Lolium multifl orum Lam.) canopy maintained at three mowing heights. Light penetration measured at the base of annual ryegrass canopies maintained at cutting heights of 3.2, 5.7. and 8.3 cm amounted to 5.36 to 7.48%, 1.21 to 3.43%, and 0.10 to 0.40%, of full sunlight, respectively. This device should allow researchers the ability to assess canopy light penetration in low-growing vegetation including turfgrasses. Crop Science Society of America.
