Total root biomass is a better indication of root growth than root depth. Measuring root biomass under field conditions is also very difficult for turfgrass scientists. Such measurements are very labor intensive and are expensive. In addition, very small differences in root weights can be difficult to detect. And of course, any positive or negative effects on root growth affect the stress tolerance of bentgrass and other turf species.
Gibberellins have several effects in green plants, such as cell and stem elongation.
This is the reason why the mowing requirement can be reduced with turf plant growth regulators that suppress gibberellin biosynthesis. Research has shown these products to be effective in reducing the mowing requirement of various turf species. Because it is a soilless medium, root biomass can be easily quantified with a high level of accuracy and precision. However, while root growth was enhanced, the resulting increase was very small. Therefore, the increase was so small one could argue that it has no biological significance and may not mean anything under field conditions.