Somerville Rowe

1 INTRODUCTION Light is a critical driver of photosynthesis, and in turn the carbon balance and overall health of plants. Turfgrasses are grown in diverse landscapes where shade is a common abiotic stressor, limiting the overall quality and performance of these plants (Beard, 1972). Under shaded conditions, turfgrasses have reduced densities, increased leaf and internodal lengths, and a reduced root:shoot ratios.