Barenbrug Seeding Trial

Abstract

Various proprietary seeding mixtures from Barenbrug, USA were examined to determine their effectiveness during both a spring and autumn establishment period under various levels of traffic. RPR perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), SOS annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and TurfBlue Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were mixed at various ratios to examine how they performed under traffic stress. Also of interest was to determine if annual ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass could be used as an alternating dominant species. Materials and Methods The two studies were conducted on a disturbed Nicollet soil (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludoll) with 43 ppm P (Bray 1), 83 ppm K, a pH of 6.8, and 4.0 percent organic matter at the Horticulture Research Station, Ames, IA. The spring trial was seeded on April 19, 2010 and the fall trial on September 9, 2010 by hand with premeasured bags provided by Barenbrug USA.