TITLE: Sod strength characteristics of 51 cool-season turfgrass mixtures.

Authors: Joshua Friell, Eric Watkins, Brian Horgan, and Matthew Cavanaugh.

Journal: Crop Science, 2016.

getting closer to the State of Wisconsin regulatory limit by the third cycle. Te plant available N applied over 3 production cycles was above the conventional rate used over that same period. Te reduction of biosolid cake required over time reflects the continuing contribution of mineralized N from the remaining biosolid cake over time that was rototilled in to a depth of 5 cm (2 in.). Perhaps split application timings could be used past the planting to overcome yearly restrictions on N application in Wisconsin. Te authors also found that the biosolid cake was superior to the Metro-Mix at equivalent plant available N rates and the Metro-Mix was also a much heavier product which would affect transport costs. Te other concern was for maximal N applications in Wisconsin.

Tis novel study investigated 51 (wow) seed mixtures of cool-season grasses designed for roadside turf areas in Minnesota that are not always typical of conventional sod production mixtures. Included in the study were alkaligrass, fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrasses. Among the key findings, the authors found that mixtures containing fine (red, chewings, sheep, e.g.) fescue species can provide sod that has equal or greater tensile strength than those containing large amounts of Kentucky bluegrass when harvested after 22 months establishment. Te authors also found that mixtures containing high Kentucky bluegrass content were among the weakest in the trial. It should be noted that conventional Kentucky bluegrass sod production cycle is typically 15 months in Minnesota. Different cycles and seeding rates warrant further investigation.