Evaluation of Selected Fine-leaf Fescue Cultivars for Their Turfgrass Quality and Weed Suppressive Ability in Field Settings

Abstract

<jats:p>A series of field studies were conducted from 1999 to 2005 in Ithaca, NY, at the Cornell Turfgrass Research Center as part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) to evaluate a collection of 78 fine-leaf fescue cultivars (<jats:italic>Festuca</jats:italic> spp.) for turfgrass quality, seedling vigor, and ability to inhibit the establishment of common annual and perennial weeds. Using these criteria, we evaluated the overall suitability of the cultivars for use in turfgrass settings, as well as their potential weed suppressive or allelopathic ability. The ability of fine-leaf fescue to displace weeds was visually evaluated by density-wise comparison, and several cultivars of the 78 studied consistently established well and provided good to very good suppression (greater than 70%) of common turf weeds when established at the same planting density. Other cultivars provided moderate (between 35% and 70%) to (&lt; 30%) little weed suppression. Greater weed suppressivity is likely associated with the differential ability of fescue cultivars to establish rapidly and to form a dense canopy, as well as potential allelopathic interference. This study was conducted in conjunction with laboratory experiments that revealed that certain fine-leaf fescue cultivars produced phytotoxic root exudates that were released into the rhizosphere over time. Additional field studies conducted in Ithaca showed that cultivars Intrigue, Columbra, and Sandpiper were consistently more weed suppressive than the other fine-leaf fescues evaluated. Although our understanding of the dynamics of production and degradation of fine-leaf fescue root exudates in the rhizosphere is limited, recent field studies also suggest that allelopathic interference as well as the ability to rapidly establish influence subsequent weed infestation in fine-leaf fescue stands. From a more practical standpoint, certain fine-leaf fescue cultivars, including Intrigue, Columbra, Sandpiper, and Reliant II, could be recommended for use in low-maintenance turf settings in the northeastern United States due to their aesthetic appeal and their limited weed infestation in circumstances where herbicides are not applied.</jats:p>

Assessment of the Phytotoxic Potential of m-Tyrosine in Laboratory Soil Bioassays

“…In the case of a perennial sod such as that formed by fine leaf fescues, the potential exists for nearly continual production during the growing season and a localized release of root exudates within the rhizosphere to germinating weed seeds. Additionally, we have observed weed suppression by certain fine leaf fescues over multiple locations and years and have determined that this suppression is cultivar dependent (Bertin et al 2009). Further studies are now underway to directly assess m-tyrosine release rates and to evaluate toxicity within the rhizosphere of living fine fescue roots.…”

Fine fescues: A review of the species, their improvement, production, establishment, and management

“…Establishment vigor has been shown to vary not only among the taxa but also among cultivars within a species or subspecies (Bertin, Senesac, Rossi, DiTommaso, & Weston, 2009; Kim, 2013). Meyer and Funk (1989) reported strong creeping red fescue to have the advantage in establishment vigor over Chewings fescue.…”

Mechanisms of Environmental Stress Tolerance in Turfgrass

“…Selecting a turfgrass cultivar that can suppress weed development would be beneficial for turfgrass breeding. It was reported that chewing's fescue and strong creeping fescue were strongly weed suppressive [192]. Interestingly, even to the same disease, the pathogens are different.…”