Traffic form and season of wear affect responses of fine fescues

Abstract

The performance of fine fescue (Festuca spp.) species and cultivars may differ by traffic form or the season of wear simulation. Two trials were initiated in 2012 to evaluate the effect of traffic form (abrasive wear vs. cleated traffic) and season of wear (spring, summer, or autumn) on 10 fine fescues seeded in North Brunswick, NJ. Plots were visually assessed for the fullness of turfgrass canopy (FTC) and leaf bruising. Verdure and soil physical properties were assessed after the last assessment period in the traffic form trial. Abrasive wear constantly reduced the FTC (14-30%) of fine fescues compare to the non-trafficked control, while the FTC of plots with cleated traffic was similar to the non-trafficked control towards the end of the study.Although both traffic forms caused soil compaction, cleated traffic resulted in a more compacted soil. Abrasive wear improved selection efficiency for fine fescues compared to cleated traffic. The FTC response of fine fescues cultivars interacted with the season of wear; thus, screening for fine fescues with improved ability to withstand abrasive wear might be more effective and accurate during spring to avoid high disease pressure and other confounding stresses during summer. 'Blueray' and 'Beacon' hard fescue, 'Quatro' sheep fescue, and 'Radar' Chewings were more traffic tolerant than other fine fescue cultivars under low disease pressure. The propensity of fine fescues to bruising under wear needs to be assessed in both summer and autumn.