Shade stress on turfgrass causes elongation of leaves, reduced energy availability for growth and lower levels of disease resistance resulting in poor quality putting surfaces. Decreased quantity (PPF) and quality (R:FR) of light affects the morphology of turfgrass plants by increasing production of Giberellic acid and is thought to lead to a reduction of available non structural carbohydrates. The object of the study is to determine which source of nitrogen (N) is best suited to retaining turfgrass quality in shade and to see if trinexapac-ethyl (TE) can improve density and decrease leaf elongation in reduced R:FR light conditions. Our hypothesis is that the ammoniacal form of N in combination with TE will result in the highest turf quality.Field studies were conducted on ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) in Columbus, OH July-Sept 2006, May-Sept 2007. Three light environments were created: a full sun, a reduced R:FR, and reduced PPF. Light reduction was 90% in both shade areas with R:FR ratio of .38 in the reduced R:FR, 1.28 in PPF and 1.29 in full sun. Treatments included (NH₂)₂CO, Ca(NO₃)₂ and (NH₄)₂SO₄ foliarly applied at a rate of 4.883kg/ha with and without TE applied at 0.3975 L/ha. Chlorophyll content, along with non structural carbohydrates, flavanoids and general growth characteristics were measured. There were no differences in carbohydrate levels between treatments. Chlorophyll levels failed to change sufficiently to negate the effects of the loss of quality and quantity of light in TE treated areas and non treated areas. There were no differences between TE treated and non treated areas in Flavanoid levels.There was no variation between the N treatments and TE was effective only in reduced PPF conditions thus negating its possible use in reduced R:FR conditions which are prevalent under naturally shaded conditions.