The influence of sowing date on initial growth and development of selected lawn varieties of Festuca arundinacea, Festuca rubra, Festuca ovina, Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis on a roadside bank

The aim of the presented research was to assess the initial growth rate of selected 5 grass species in order to determine their suitability for quick and effective infestation of roadside embankments in two sowing dates (spring and late autumn). The research was carried out on a bank situated along the national road S17. Measurements of root length and height of seedlings of each species were made on 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days from the date of sowing. It has been shown that in the conditions of the experiment the grass species assessed differ in the rate of initial growth. Sowing dates had significant impact on the rate of root elongation and growth of seedlings of the studied grass species, because on objects with late autumn sowing date, all species and varieties were characterized by the shortest roots and the lowest seedlings. In both sowing dates, regardless of year of research, L. perenne seedlings were characterized by the longest roots and the highest seedlings in comparison to other species. In turn, seedlings of P. pratensis regardless of the year of studies were characterized by the shortest roots and the lowest seedlings in comparison to other species