Similar to the Midwest region, locations square
in the Transition Zone data did not show large statistical significance. Entries that were consistently at, or toward, the top of turf quality ratings at the four trial sites include Bullseye LTZ, DLFPS-321/3707, Expanse, and Finelawn Supreme. At the two western U.S. locations— Corvallis, OR, and Logan, UT, about 40 percent of entries finished in the top statistical group including entries such as Clash, K18-NSE, Titanium GLS, 5LSS, DLFPS-321/3707, and DLFPS-321/3708. Tolerance to stresses such as traffic, shade, and low
mowing tolerance are being evaluated throughout the trial period. Similar to previous years, shade data collected at Ames, IA, yielded no statistical separation in 2023. Data collected in 2023 from a low mowing height trial (1.5 in. [38.1 mm]) at Blacksburg, VA, did yield small statistical differences with about two-thirds of the entries in the top turf quality statistical group, led by DLFPS-321/3708, TD2, Bonfire, DLFPS-321/3707, and Gallardo. Traffic applied at Amherst, MA, yielded good
statistical separation as Dragster, Pro Gold, and Triad finished with the highest overall turfgrass quality ratings. Intensive traffic was applied on the tall fescue trial at North Brunswick, NJ, during spring, summer, and fall. Data from 2023 showed some entry separation in spring, good entry separation in summer, and no entry separation in the fall. High-ranking entries for uniformity, ground cover, and canopy fullness in both spring and summer include Finelawn Supreme, Southside, PPG-TF 231, TD2, Hemi, and GLX Aced.
Perennial Ryegrass Perennial ryegrasses are occasionally used in
sod mixtures because of positive attributes such as fast germination, better establishment under low and high temperatures, and traffic tolerance. A new trial of perennial ryegrass, established in 2022, consists of 83 entries, most being new experimentals. Data from year one has been summarized and is now available on our website. Data from 2023 was organized within five LPI
groups, but also according to region. LPI group analysis showed small statistical differences among entries, while four geographic region analyses yielded significant variation in performance. Entries that have performed at, or close to, top performance in several regions include PPG-PR 664, PPG-PR 639, Vortex SRT, and Relic. Data separated and analyzed by golf course fairway management at three locations showed new entries PPG-PR 670, Siletz, and DLF-PR-3738 with the highest overall quality. An ancillary trial measuring traffic tolerance
was tested at Amherst, MA, with entries Sundown, LTP-RPP4, and PPG-PR 662 as the top performers for turfgrass quality. PPG-PR 606, Performance, DLF-PR-3728, Alpha Centauri, and PPG-PR 667 had some of the best wear tolerance ratings. Other ancillary trials evaluating shade tolerance, salinity tolerance, and
TPI Turf News July/August 2024
NTEP trials, like this perennial ryegrass trial in Corvallis, Oregon, put all entered cultivars to identical challenges so their response to stresses can be evaluated. Tis entry is contaminated with Poa annua.
Bermuda overseeding performance showed little if any statistical significance. Dollar spot, crown rust, and pink snow mold
diseases were rated on these trials in 2023. Dollar spot (Clarireedia jacksonii) ratings at two locations ended with about two-thirds of all entries in the top statistical group, led by PPG-PR 664, PPG-PR 642, and Siletz. Crown rust (Puccinia coronata), seen at St. Paul, MN, delivered similar statistical significance with PPG-PR 642 showing the least disease damage. Pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale) ratings from Logan, UT, showed excellent entry separation with PST-2SPF, Linn, and Prominent II as the highest-rated entries.
Fineleaf Fescues Te term “fineleaf fescue” includes several species.
Strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra) and slender creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra var. littoralis) possess rhizomes and therefore add knitting ability to a sod mixture. Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. fallax) has a bunch-type growth habit and traditionally better disease resistance than the creeping red-types. Hard fescues (Festuca brevipila) are also bunch-type grasses but have generally better drought tolerance than Chewings or creeping types. Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L. ssp. hirtula) is best suited for low maintenance sites because of its unique, swirly, growth habit from within the crown of the plant. A new fineleaf fescue trial was established in 2020
consisting of forty-three (43) total entries, broken down into hard fescue (11), strong creeping red fescue (14), slender creeping red fescue (2), Chewings fescue (13) and sheep fescue (3). Te trial was planted at fourteen standard trial locations and ten ancillary trial locations. Data from 2023 is analyzed and sorted based
on groups of species that performed well at selected locations. Tree LPI groups were identified in year three data, which better reflects performance considering diseases and other stresses. In 2021, LPI group 1 top performers were
primarily hard fescues. In 2022, Chewings fescue entries 49
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