scholarly journals Autonomous Mower Saves Energy and Improves Quality of Tall Fescue Lawn

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Grossi ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Elisa Garramone ◽  
Andrea Peruzzi ◽  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Leaf Width ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
N Rates

Battery-powered autonomous mowers are designed to reduce the need of labor for lawn mowing compared with traditional endothermic engine mowers and at the same time to abate local emissions and noise. The aim of this research was to compare autonomous mower with traditional rotary mower on a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) lawn under different nitrogen (N) rates. A two-way factor experimental design with three replications was adopted. In the study, four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·ha−1) and two mowing systems (autonomous mower vs. gasoline-powered walk-behind rotary mower equipped for mulching) were used. As expected, N fertilization increased turf quality. At the end of the trial, the autonomous mower increased turf density (3.2 shoots/cm2) compared with the rotary mower (2.1 shoots/cm2) and decreased average leaf width (2.1 mm) compared with the rotary mower (2.7 mm). Increased density and decreased leaf width with autonomous mowing yielded higher quality turf (7.3) compared with the rotary mower (6.4) and a lower weed incidence (6% and 9% cover for autonomous mower and rotary mower, respectively). Disease incidence and mowing quality were unaffected by the mowing system. The autonomous mower working time was set to 10 hours per day (≈7.8 hours for mowing and 2.2 hours for recharging) for a surface of 1296 m2. The traditional rotary mower working time for the same surface was 1.02 hours per week. The estimated primary energy consumption for autonomous mower was about 4.80 kWh/week compared with 12.60 kWh/week for gasoline-powered rotary mowing. Based on turf quality aspects and energy consumption, the use of autonomous mowers could be a promising alternative to traditional mowers.

scholarly journals Morphological Characterization of Turf-type Tall Fescue Genotypes

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Watkins ◽  
William A. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Flag Leaf ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Leaf Width ◽  
Brown Patch ◽  
Plant Nursery ◽  
Turfgrass Quality ◽  
Patch Disease

Recently, turfgrass breeders have developed many improved turf-type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars. Due to the large number of cultivars currently available to turfgrass managers and researchers, we have classified turf-type tall fescue cultivars into six groups based primarily on several morphological measurements. This type of classification is important for turfgrass breeders because many breeding decisions are made based on observations in a spaced-plant nursery. The major objective of this study was to classify tall fescue cultivars and selections based on spaced-plant measurements and to then compare those results with turf performance. A spaced-plant nursery consisting of 36 cultivars and selections was established in September 1998 at Adelphia, N.J. Plant height, panicle length, flag leaf width and length, subtending leaf width and length, and subtending internode length were measured 10 days after anthesis in 1999 and 2000. Additionally, a turf trial was established at North Brunswick, N.J., that included the same 36 cultivars and selections. The turf plots were evaluated for several traits including overall turfgrass quality, density, and susceptibility to brown patch disease. Based on principal component analysis of morphological measurements, along with turf trial data, all cultivars and selections were assigned to one of six groups: forage, early-standard, standard, early semi-dwarf, semi-dwarf, and dwarf. In turf plots, the semi-dwarf, early-semi dwarf, and dwarf groups were the top-performing types in terms of overall turfgrass quality, and the forage and early-standard cultivars had the lowest overall quality ratings. The dwarf types did not perform well under summer stress, especially in terms of brown patch disease incidence. The results of this study suggest that when developing cultivars for higher maintenance situations, turf-type tall fescue breeders should focus on the development of semi-dwarf cultivars.

scholarly journals Physiological Response to Water Deficit Stress with Restricted Rooting in Tall Fescue and Zoysiagrass

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
Travis Culpepper ◽  
Joseph Young ◽  
David T. Montague ◽  
Manish Sapkota ◽  
Eduardo Escamilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Physiological Response ◽  
Water Deficit Stress ◽  
Zoysia Japonica ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Zoysia Matrella ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Green Cover ◽  
Schedonorus Arundinaceus

Abstract Urban soils may restrict turfgrass rooting depth with shallow soil layers in high sand content soils, which may influence water conservation. A greenhouse study sought to quantify water usage and determine the physiological response of turfgrasses at four irrigation levels. ‘ATF-1434′ tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. nom. cons.; syn. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), ‘Jamur' Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), and ‘Zeon' Manilagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.] were established in 10 cm (4 in) diameter by 17.8 cm (7 in) tall containers. Each species was irrigated with 16.5, 21.9, 27.3, or 32.7 mm.wk−1 (0.65, 0.86, 1.1, or 1.3 in.wk−1). Gravimetric water loss was determined by pre- and post-irrigation pot weights. Turf quality, leaf discoloration, percent green cover, and gross photosynthesis were evaluated weekly and root parameters were measured at the conclusion of each trial. Although root mass was similar among species, water deficit stress and leaf discoloration occurred sooner in tall fescue than the two Zoysia species, reducing turf quality and green cover. Japanese lawngrass and Manilagrass had greater stomatal conductance, resulting in 109 and 89% higher gross photosynthesis relative to tall fescue. Both zoysiagrasses maintained acceptable turf quality with 27.3 mm water.wk−1. However, tall fescue quality was not acceptable at any irrigation level. Index words: Photosynthesis, gravimetric water loss, tall fescue, Japanese lawngrass, Manilagrass. Species used in this study: Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. nom. cons.; syn. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.); Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.); Manilagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.].

scholarly journals Interaction of Management Factors on Dollar Spot Disease Severity in Tall Fescue Turf

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1391-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D. Brede
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Dollar Spot ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Management Factors ◽  
Cutting Height

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivar, seeding rate, N fertilization rate, and cutting height on the severity of dollar spot (Lanzia and Moellerodiscus spp.) disease incidence. All possible two-factor interactions among these four management factors were statistically significant when averaged over the 2 years of study. Disease severity tended to be lowest at low fescue seeding rate (2100 pure-live seeds/m*) at the lower (19 mm) height of cut. `Mustang', the turf-type cultivar with improved density, was more susceptible to dollar spot than `Kentucky-31', the common-type cultivar.

GENETIC VARIATION AND CORRELATION OF AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN TALL FESCUE (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) GERMPLASM

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. A. de ARAUJO ◽  
B. E. COULMAN ◽  
M. A. FARIS ◽  
C. WROBEL
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Heading Date ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Genotypic Correlations

Sixty-seven accessions of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were studied for total genetic variability and phenotypic and genotypic correlations among eight traits. The traits were annual dry matter yield, height, spreading ability, volume, first cut recovery, second cut recovery, incidence of diseases and number of days to heading. Highly significant differences existed among accessions for all characters. The ratios of genetic to phenotypic variances were relatively high in magnitude for most of the traits, except first cut recovery and disease score, indicating that most of the characters were mainly under genetic control. However, the ratios of genotype × year interactions to phenotypic variances were quite large for some characters, particularly second cut recovery. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations were obtained between the different characters measured. Genotypic correlations were slightly higher than phenotypic correlations for most of the traits. Annual dry matter yield was significantly and positively correlated, with all traits measured with the exception of disease incidence where this association was negative. Selection for yield using heading date and height as an index may be possible in the development of superior tall fescue cultivars. Certain accessions appeared to have good yielding capacity, being superior to the check cultivar, Alta, in this character. These accessions were also as winterhardy as the check, and thus could prove useful as source material in a breeding program.Key words: Phenotypic correlation, genotypic correlation, genotype × year interactions

Tolerance of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass to Chlorsulfuron Under Field Conditions

Weed Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Maloy ◽  
Nick E. Christians
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Turfgrass Quality ◽  
Severe Growth

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL. ‘Parade’, ‘Adelphi’, ‘Glade’, and ‘Rugby’ # POAPR) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb. ‘Kentucky 31’ # FESAR) were treated in field experiments with chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide}. The objectives of the two experiments were to determine if this herbicide has the potential to be used for selective control of tall fescue in Kentucky bluegrass turf. Chlorsulfuron treatments included single rates of 0, 18, 35, 71, 141, 212, and 282 g ai/ha and split rates, applied 14 days apart, of 18 + 18, 35 + 35, 71 + 71, 141 + 141, and 212 + 212 g/ha. Clipping weights and turfgrass quality ratings were taken in both experiments. Kentucky bluegrass showed a higher tolerance to the chemical, with no decrease in turf quality at the highest single and split application rates in both experiments. However, as the chlorsulfuron rate increased, clipping weight decreased. Tall fescue showed a low tolerance to the chemical and was controlled at single rates of 141 g/ha and split rates of 141 + 141 g/ha and greater. Although the tall fescue recovered from damage at single rates of 71 g/ha and split rates of 71 + 71 g/ha, severe growth inhibition and discoloration of aboveground tissue occurred at the lower rates. Twelve months after the first chlorsulfuron was applied in each experiment, glyphosate [isopropylamine salt ofN-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] was sprayed over the plots to kill all existing plant material, and Kentucky bluegrass was seeded into the plots 2 weeks later at the rate of 0.75 kg/100 m2. There was no inhibition of bluegrass seed germination at any of the rates of chlorsulfuron.

Sequential Applications of Preemergence and Postemergence Herbicides for Large Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Control in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Turf

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Jack Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Digitaria Sanguinalis ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Turfgrass Quality ◽  
Postemergence Herbicides ◽  
Herbicide Programs ◽  
Large Crabgrass

Preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides were sequentially applied to tall fescue over a 2-yr period to determine the lowest herbicide rates needed for acceptable large crabgrass control. Prodiamine was the only PRE herbicide that provided full-season large crabgrass control in tall fescue turf. The control was 85% in plots treated at one-third recommended rate (0.3 kg/ha) and 96% at the full rate (0.8 kg/ha). Sequential applications of oxadiazon at one-third recommended rate (1.1 kg/ha) in late February followed by fenoxaprop (0.2 kg/ha) in June controlled 85% large crabgrass in late August. Control was similar in mid-August when pendimethalin, dithiopyr, or oryzalin at one-third recommended rates was followed by fenoxaprop, but was not acceptable (≤ 74%) by late August. In most instances, large crabgrass control was higher when fenoxaprop followed the PRE herbicide application than with MSMA. Reduced herbicide rates may not provide full-season large crabgrass control in other areas with different soil and weather conditions. Tall fescue quality was not affected by prodiamine, dithiopyr, and oxadiazon. In 1996, pendimethalin at 3.3 kg/ha reduced turf quality 16% and oryzalin at 2.2 kg/ha reduced quality by 46%. In 1995, MSMA reduced the quality of tall fescue more (≤ 21%) than fenoxaprop (≤ 10%). When compared to the use of PRE and POST herbicides alone, sequential PRE plus POST herbicide programs did not affect turfgrass quality.

scholarly journals Robotic Mowing of Tall Fescue at 90 mm Cutting Height: Random Trajectories vs. Systematic Trajectories

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2567
Author(s):  
Mino Sportelli ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Michel Pirchio ◽  
Christian Frasconi ◽  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Tall Grass ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Schedonorus Arundinaceus ◽  
The One ◽  
Cutting Height ◽  
Working Efficiency

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is often managed with a cutting height ranging from 70 to 100 mm in ornamental lawns. Some autonomous mowers have been specifically designed to maintain mowing height in the same range. Generally, autonomous mowers operate by following random trajectories, and substantial overlapping is needed to obtain full coverage of the working area. In the case of tall grass, this may cause lodging of grass plants, which in turn may reduce turf quality. The introduction of a navigation system based on systematic trajectories has the potential to improve the performances of autonomous mowers with respect to machine efficiency and turf quality. With the aim of determining the effects of reduced mowing frequency and systematic navigation systems on turf quality and mower performances in terms of working time, energy consumption and overlapping, the performances of two autonomous mowers working with random and systematic trajectories were tested on a mature tall fescue lawn at 90 mm cutting height. The working efficiency was approximately 80% for the systematic trajectories and approximately 35% for the random trajectories; this was mainly due to the lower overlapping associated with systematic trajectories. Turf quality was slightly higher for the mower working systematically (a score of 8 using a 1–9 score with 1 = poor, 6 = acceptable and 9 = best) compared to the one working randomly (quality of 7 and 6 on a 1–9 scale with 1 = poor and 9 = best). No appreciable lodging was observed in either case. For tall, managed lawns, systematic trajectories may improve autonomous mowers’ overall performances.

scholarly journals Minimum Water Requirements of Four Turfgrasses in the Transition Zone

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1740-1744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinmin Fu ◽  
Jack Fry ◽  
Bingru Huang
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Water Requirements ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Rainout Shelter ◽  
Irrigation Levels

Water requirements for `Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud., hereafter referred to as zoysia), `Midlawn' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy, hereafter referred to as bermuda], `Falcon II' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and `Brilliant' kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., hereafter referred to as bluegrass) were evaluated under a mobile rainout shelter at deficit irrigation levels of 20% to 100% of actual evapotranspiration (ETa), applied twice weekly, between June and September 2001 and 2002. Soil was a river-deposited silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Arquidolls). Minimum annual irrigation amounts required to maintain quality ranged from 244 mm for bermuda to 552 mm for bluegrass. Turfgrass species and respective irrigation levels (% of ETa) at which season-long acceptable turf quality was maintained in each year were bluegrass, 100% (evaluated 2001 only); tall fescue, 60% in 2001 and 80% in 2002; bermuda, 60% in both years; and zoysia, 80% in both years. A landscape manager who could tolerate one week of less-than-acceptable quality could have irrigated tall fescue at 40% ETa (224 mm) in 2001 and 60% ETa (359 mm) in 2002. Likewise, bermuda exhibited unacceptable quality on only one September rating date when irrigated at 40% ETa (163 mm) in 2001. Bermuda was able to tolerate a lower leaf relative water content (LRWC) and higher level of leaf electrolyte leakage (EL) compared to other grasses before quality declined to an unacceptable level.

Isolation and identification of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with tall fescue

2009 ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Monk ◽  
E. Gerard ◽  
S. Young ◽  
K. Widdup ◽  
M. O'Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria ◽  
Beneficial Bacteria ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Growth Promoting

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a useful alternative to ryegrass in New Zealand pasture but it is slow to establish. Naturally occurring beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere can improve plant growth and health through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. Keywords: rhizosphere, endorhiza, auxin, siderophore, P-solubilisation

THE PERFORMANCE OF S170 TALL FESCUE IN CANTERBURY

1974 ◽  
pp. 214-215
Author(s):  
B.R. Watkin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Selection Of

AN Aberystwyth selection of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), known as S170, was sown with certified New Zealand white clover (Trifolium repens) and re' clover (T. pratense) and compared under sheep grazing with other grass/clover pastures at the Grasslands Division Regional Station at Lincoln (Watkin, 1975) .

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