Management, harvest, and storage characteristics of low‐input cool‐season turfgrass sod mixtures

Self Cite

Increasing fertilization rates from 0 to 49 kg N ha −1 during establishment of fine fescue (Festuca spp.) taxa can promote faster grow-in; however, the influence on sod production (tensile strength and handling) is unknown. More information is needed on both fine fescue taxa and the effects N fertilizer or inclusion of clover (Trifolium spp.) during establishment on sod strength. Field experiments were repeated in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in Indiana to quantify differences among four fine fescue taxa and N fertilizer or clover-inclusion effects on sod production. Six N fertilizer levels ranged from 0 to 122.5 kg N ha −1 during the first 8 weeks after planting (WAP), and two treatments consisted of inclusion of either annual or perennial clover + 0 kg N ha −1 at seeding. Sod harvest variables were measured at harvests from 9 to 12 months after planting (MAP). Results indicate fine fescue growth habit characteristics play a large role in sod strength differences. The highest to lowest sod strength and handling was ranked as follows: strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin) > slender creeping red fescue [F. rubra ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier] ≥ Chewings fescue (F. rubra ssp. commutata Gaudin) ≥ hard fescue (F. brevipila Tracey). A minimal effect on sod strength and handling at multiple sod harvests (9-12 MAP) was observed from increasing N fertilizer levels during first 8 wk of establishment or from clover inclusion.Abbreviations: MAP, months after planting; WAP, weeks after planting.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Species, clover‐inclusion, and nitrogen fertilizer effects on sod tensile strength of fine fescue taxa

Braun

Patton

2022

Self Cite

Impact of species selection on plant community, sod tensile strength, and translocation rooting of a pollinator‐garden sod

Askew,

Godara,

Brewer

et al. 2024

Interest in pollinator gardens is increasing to address pollinator decline. The establishment of perennial native plants often takes a few years and establishment projects are often lost to competition from unwanted weedy vegetation. Mature sod of pollinator‐serving, native plants that is free of weeds would be highly desirable to conventional turfgrass sod consumers, thus offering a new revenue stream for traditional sod producers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of four foundational species treatments on 3‐year floral biodiversity of pollinator‐serving plants, sod tensile strength, and transplant rooting strength. Results suggest that polycultures of pollinator‐serving forbs can produce a marketable sod with sufficient tensile strength for lifting and translocating and sufficient ability to establish once relocated. Sod tensile strength, however, is insufficient for lifting when the plant community is not grown over plastic or does not contain a high‐shoot density or rhizomatous foundation species such as hard fescue (Festuca longifolia Thuill.) or common yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.). Unfortunately, adding hard fescue or common yarrow markedly reduces the Shannon diversity index and species richness. The force needed to lift transplanted sod after 3 months was 5553 to 6969 N m−2 regardless of foundation species treatment and was numerically higher than the force reported by previous researchers to lift sod of various turfgrass species. Collectively, the data suggest that the best balance between preserving floral biodiversity and maximizing sod handling integrity would be approached by establishing pollinator‐serving forbs alone or with a blend of native grasses over plastic.

Blend ratios and mixtures of brown patch susceptible and resistant tall fescue cultivars

Powlen,

McCall,

Hensler

et al. 2024

Brown patch (Rhizoctonia spp.) is a major disease of turf‐type tall fescue (TF) [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.]. Many cool‐season turfgrass lawns consist of species mixtures or cultivar blends, but the exact proportion of resistant cultivars in blends and mixtures to effectively reduce disease has not been well documented. A field study was conducted in West Lafayette, IN, and Blacksburg, VA, during 2022 and 2023 to determine the brown patch severity of various blend ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight) using a brown patch susceptible and resistant TF cultivar. Additionally, mixtures (90% and 10% by weight, respectively) of TF and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) with a susceptible and resistant TF cultivar were evaluated. Seasonal appearance/turf quality and brown patch severity were visually determined, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. Turf quality and brown patch severity were similar at both locations. Additionally, blends and mixtures containing ≥75% of the resistant cultivar maintained higher average visual quality across both locations compared to the susceptible cultivar alone. Between the two mixtures, the inclusion of a resistant TF cultivar maintained higher canopy density and increased the proportion of TF at both locations. Blends and mixtures containing ≥75% of a resistant cultivar reduced brown patch AUDPC by 71% and 83% in 2022 and 2023, respectively, when compared to the 100% susceptible cultivar. This field study reinforces the importance of selecting resistant TF cultivars to reduce seasonal brown patch symptoms in cool‐season turfgrass lawns.