scholarly journals Response of Retail Lawn Seed Products during Acute Drought and Recovery

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Florence Breuillin-Sessoms ◽  
Dominic P. Petrella ◽  
Daniel Sandor ◽  
Samuel J. Bauer ◽  
Brian P. Horgan
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
University Of Minnesota ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Green Cover ◽  
Rainout Shelter ◽  
Schedonorus Arundinaceus ◽  
Fine Fescue

Consumers often have multiple choices when purchasing retail lawn products in stores. In this study, we evaluated the acute drought performance of locally available retail lawn seed products (mixtures or blends) at two mowing heights of 2.5 and 3 inches. We hypothesized that the species present in the products and the height-of-cut differentially influence the drought resistance and recovery of the mixtures and blends. In Fall 2016 and 2017, 28 different products consisting of 25 mixtures and 3 blends of turfgrass seeds were established under a fully automated rainout shelter at the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. The drought treatments lasted for 67 days in 2017, and 52 days in 2018; both the 2017 and 2018 treatments were followed by a recovery period. Data were obtained during acute drought treatments and recovery periods for visual turfgrass quality and green turfgrass cover using digital images of the plots. During the first year, several products displayed higher green stability (or the ability to remain green) at the 3-inch height-of-cut compared with the 2.5-inch height-of-cut. Products with tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) and fine fescue (Festuca sp.) as dominant species generally performed better during the drought treatments, whereas an increasing presence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) decreased the visual drought performance of the products. During the recovery period, an effect of the interaction between mowing height and the date of data collection on the percentage of green cover was observed: the lower mowing height improved the early recovery of green cover after acute drought. These findings suggest that consumers in the upper midwestern United States and areas with a climate similar climate to that of St. Paul, MN, who are challenged with multiple choices of lawn seed products should choose products containing a higher tall fescue content and adjust their mowing heights to optimize recovery.

scholarly journals Performance of Low-maintenance Turfgrass Mixtures and Blends

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 610-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Miller ◽  
Robert J. Mugaas ◽  
Mary H. Meyer ◽  
Eric Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
University Of Minnesota ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Fine Fescue ◽  
The University

Several studies have been conducted on low-maintenance turfgrass species; however, relatively few have evaluated mixtures or blends. The objective of this study was to evaluate low-maintenance turfgrass mixtures or blends for turf quality under minimal input conditions. Eight turfgrass mixtures or blends were planted in 2009 at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska, MN) on a low-fertility soil to assess their adaptability to low-input conditions (minimal water and fertilizer and no pesticides after establishment). The year after establishment, plots were divided into no-mow and minimal mow treatments. Plots were evaluated for establishment in 2009 and overall quality and percent weed cover in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Native grass mixtures established slowly with greater weed encroachment, but over time resulted in high-quality ratings. Under minimal mowing, the Tall Fescue Blend [tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)] performed the best for quality, while three fine fescue (Festuca sp.) mixtures and the Tall Fescue/Kentucky Bluegrass Mixture [tall fescue + kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)] also had acceptable quality ratings. The Kentucky Bluegrass Blend (kentucky bluegrass) was less competitive with weeds and had unacceptable quality ratings. Under no-mow conditions, the native grass mixtures and the Tall Fescue Blend had the highest overall quality ratings.

scholarly journals Cool-season Turfgrass Response to Bispyribac-Sodium

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren W. Lycan ◽  
Stephen E. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Severe Stunting ◽  
Annual Bluegrass ◽  
Fine Fescue

Previous research has demonstrated that bispyribac-sodium can selectively control established annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Annual bluegrass is also a problematic weed in other cool-season turfgrass species. However, the relative tolerance of other cool-season turfgrass species to bispyribac is not known. Field experiments were conducted at Adelphia, N.J., in 2002 and 2003 to gain understanding of the phytotoxic effects that bispyribac may have on kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (L.) Schreb.), and chewings fine fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaud.). Single applications of bispyribac at 37 to 296 g·ha–1 were applied to mature stands of each species on 11 June, 2002 and 10 June, 2003. Visual injury was evaluated and clippings were collected 35 and 70 days after treatment (DAT). Visual injury at 35 DAT increased as bispyribac rate increased. Kentucky bluegrass was least tolerant to bispyribac with up to 28% injury when applied at 296 g·ha–1. Injury on other species did not exceed 20%. Initial injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue was primarily in the form of chlorosis, while kentucky bluegrass exhibited more severe stunting and thinning symptoms. Bispyribac at rates from 74 to 296 g·ha–1 reduced kentucky bluegrass clipping weights by 19% to 35%, respectively, as compared to the untreated control at 35 DAT in 2002. Initial visual injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue dissipated to ≤5% by 70 DAT. However, recovery of kentucky bluegrass was less complete. These studies suggest that bispyribac-sodium has potential to severely injure kentucky bluegrass. Injury on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and chewings fine fescue appears to be less severe and persistent; therefore, bispyribac can be used for weed control in these species. Chemical names used: 2,6-bis[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]benzoic acid (bispyribac-sodium).

scholarly journals Drought Resistance and Recovery of Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) Cultivars under Different Nitrogen Fertilisation Rates

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1128
Author(s):  
Cristina Pornaro ◽  
Michele Dal Maso ◽  
Stefano Macolino
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
First Year ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilisation ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Green Cover

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is one of the most popular cool-season turfgrass species. However, little is known about the effects of N supply on its resistance to drought stress. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of acute drought followed by a recovery period on four Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (‘Barduke’, ‘Brooklawn’, ‘NuBlue Plus’ and ‘Marauder’) and one tall fescue (‘Rhambler SRP’) under two different nitrogen fertilisation rates (100 or 200 kg N ha−1 yr−1). The study was conducted over two years in a rain-out structure to control water input in spring and summer. The cultivars were subjected to a drought stress phase (absence of irrigation) followed by a recovery phase (weekly irrigation with an intake of 80% of ET). The green cover percentage, visual quality, NDVI, and soil moisture were measured weekly. We found that Kentucky bluegrass maintains sufficient turf quality for 2 weeks without irrigation. During the first year of the experiment, slight differences were observed among the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, with ‘Marauder’ showing a 15% of green turf cover less than ‘Brooklawn’ after 6 weeks of acute drought, while in the second year, ‘NuBlue Plus’ displayed higher green turf cover and NDVI than the other cultivars. Nitrogen treatment had limited influence on the performances of the cultivars, ‘Marauder’ being the only one benefitting from the higher rate of applications.

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.

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 Additional Host Plants of Four Species of Billbug Found on New Jersey Turfgrasses

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Johnson-Cicalese ◽  
C.R. Funk
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue

Studies were conducted on the host plants of four billbug species (Coleoptera:Curculionidae: Sphenophorus parvulus Gyllenhal, S. venatus Chitt., S. inaequalis Say, and S. minimus Hart) found on New Jersey turfgrasses. A collection of 4803 adults from pure stands of various turfgrasses revealed all four billbugs on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and S. parvulus, S. venatus, and S. minimus on Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud.). Since the presence of larvae, pupae, or teneral adults more accurately indicates the host status of a grass species, immature billbugs were collected from plugs of the various grass species and reared to adults for identification. All four species were reared from immature billbugs found in Kentucky bluegrass turf; immatures of S. venatus, S. inaequalis, and S. minimus were found in tall fescue; S. venatus and S. minimus in perennial ryegrass; and S. inaequalis in strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra). A laboratory experiment was also conducted in which billbug adults were confined in petri dishes with either Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Only minor differences were found between the four grasses in billbug survival, number of eggs laid, and amount of feeding. In general, bermudagrass was the least favored host and the other grasses were equally adequate hosts. The results of this study indicate a need for updating host-plant lists of these four billbug species.

A comparison of the performance and growth of a range of turfgrass species under shade

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Tegg ◽  
P. A. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Rate Of Increase

The increased use of semi and fully enclosed sports stadiums necessitates the ongoing selection, development and assessment of shade-tolerance in turfgrass species. Vertical shoot growth rate is a simple biological measure that may supplement visual turfgrass assessment and provide a useful measure of shade adaptation. Cool-season temperate turfgrasses; Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass (Poa pratensis L.–Lolium perenne L.), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.), supina bluegrass (Poa supina Schrad.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and a warm season species, Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), were established in pot and field experiments and subjected to 4 shade treatments (0, 26, 56 or 65% shade) under ambient conditions. Average light readings taken near the winter and summer solstice in full sunlight at midday, were 790 and 1980�μmol/m2.s, respectively. Field and pot trials confirmed supina bluegrass and tall fescue to have the greatest shade tolerance, producing high turf quality under 56 and 65% shade. However, all turfgrass species declined in quality under high shade levels as indicated by an increase in thin, succulent vertical growth, and a less-dense turf sward. Vertical shoot growth rates of all species increased linearly with increasing shade levels. Kentucky bluegrass–perennial ryegrass had the highest rate of increase in vertical shoot elongation under shade, approximately 3.5 times greater than supina bluegrass, which had the lowest. Low rates of increase in vertical shoot elongation under shade indicated shade tolerance whereas high rates inferred shade intolerance.

scholarly journals Southern Blight of Tall Fescue and Bluegrass Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Italy

Plant Disease ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-246
Author(s):  
G. Polizzi ◽  
A. Vitale ◽  
I. Castello
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Sclerotium Rolfsii ◽  
Aerial Mycelium ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Southern Blight

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) are the main turfgrass species cultivated in Sicily (southern Italy) for ready lawn (sod) to ornamental purposes. In July 2004 and May 2005, a widespread disease was noticed in two turf nurseries on the eastern side of Sicily on a ready lawn mixture of F. arundinacea cv. Safari (94%) + P. pratensis cv. Cabaret (6%). Numerous yellow, circular- and crescent-shaped patches as much as 30 to 40 cm in diameter were observed. The turf usually died around the perimeter of the patch, but the grass remained green in the center of the ring with a tuft of green grass in the center (frog eye). Affected turf was initially reddish brown and turned brown as it died. Small, round and off-white or tan seed-like structures were dispersed on mycelial strands at the outer edge of the ring in the mat at the base of grasses. The pathogen was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. The fungus was isolated directly as aerial mycelium or sclerotia or following surface disinfection (2 min in 0.5% NaOCl) and plating diseased tissues on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Sclerotia were observed in vitro in 7-day-old cultures. Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating two com-mercial ready lawn strips (80 × 100 cm) of two healthy turfgrass species each with three isolates of the fungus. Thirty sclerotia were placed at the base of stems. Noninoculated ready lawn strips served as control. All plants were covered with plastic bags, exposed to diffused daylight for 5 days, and then maintained in a growth chamber at 25 to 28°C under fluorescent light. Disease symptoms and southern blight signs like the ones observed in the field occurred 2 weeks after inoculation. S. rolfsii was reisolated from affected tissues. Symptoms were not detected on any of the non-inoculated ready lawn strips. The disease was serious enough that chemical treatments were required for its control. Southern blight was previously detected on bermudagrass and other cool-season turfgrass genera (1).To our knowledge, this is the first report of southern blight on tall fescue and bluegrass in Italy. Reference: (1) R. W. Smiley. Common Names of Plant Diseases. Diseases of Turfgrasses. Online publication. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

scholarly journals Month of Seeding Effect on Low-Input Establishment of Cool- and Warm-Season Turfgrasses in Continental Transition Zone

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-170
Author(s):  
Kenneth Lynn Diesburg ◽  
Ronald F. Krausz
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Low Input

This research was conducted to determine the degree of success, by month, in seeding establishment of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers. var. dactylon), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) at two locations in the moist, Midwest, continental transition zone on a prepared seed bed without irrigation or cover. The four species were planted every month of the year starting in September 2005. Starter fertilizer and siduron were applied the same day as seeding with no subsequent management except mowing. Percent cover of living turfgrass was recorded in each of 24 months after seeding. Tall fescue (80%) and Bermudagrass (73%) provided the best percent cover over all planting dates. Kentucky bluegrass provided 65% and zoysiagrass 24% cover. The cool-season grasses performed best in the July-to-March plantings; tall fescue 88% and Kentucky bluegrass 72%. Bermudagrass (94%) established best in the January-to-April plantings, while Zoysiagrass (32%) established best in the November-to-March plantings. Germination and seedling survival after germination of all species were inhibited by limited moisture during summer. The warm-season grasses were further limited by winter kill in the August, September, and October seedings. These results emphasize the risk in spring-seeding as well as the value in dormant-seeding of both warm- and cool-season turfgrasses for low-input, nonirrigated establishment.

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