ROOTED IN RESEARCH
TALL FESCUE AND KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS MIXTURE RESEARCH
By Bradley S. Park, Hiranthi Samaranayake, PhD, and James A. Murphy, PhD Tis article was adapted from the following research paper: Park, B.S., H. Samaranayake, and J.A. Murphy. 2017. Response of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass mixtures to wear. Int. Turf. Res. J. 13:346-352.
Key Research Findings • Wear during autumn did not influence species composition of tall fescue (TF) and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) mixtures when seeded at a TF/ KBG mixing ratio of 90:10 (w/w). Kentucky bluegrass cultivars capable of producing high turf quality (Midnight II and Blue Note) reduced TF composition of mixes well below 50 percent. Tall fescue populations were greater in mixtures with lower quality KBG cultivars. Tall fescue cultivar choice had minimal impact on KBG and TF populations in mixes.
• Mixing Kentucky bluegrass with better performing tall fescue cultivars had limited benefits to overall turfgrass quality; however, turf quality of a moderate performing tall fescue cultivar (Greenkeeper) was improved when mixed with high quality Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (Midnight II and Blue Note).
United States; mixing the two species provides a broader range of genetic diversity and tolerance to environmental stresses (Bonos and Huff, 2013). Inclusion of KBG with TF has been shown to improve turf quality and reduce brown patch disease incidence (caused by Rhizoctonia solani) compared to some TF cultivars alone (Reynolds et al., 2005).
Kentucky bluegrass has vigorous, dense rhizome and root systems making it a useful species for sod production and provides excellent recuperative ability in athletic fields (Beard, 1973). However, there continues to be concern with KBG dominating the mixture resulting in segregation (i.e. clumping) of TF plants as isolated patches. Turfgrass research has previously assessed species segregation. Juska et al. (1969) reported that a seeded mixture of ‘Kentucky 31’ TF and common type KBG bluegrass produced more TF clumps compared to TF seeded alone. Brede (1993) found that the tendency for species segregation was more likely when common-type TF was in the mix compared to improved turf-type TF.
• Kentucky bluegrass cultivar choice was the dominant factor affecting the severity of brown patch on KBG and TF mixes. Mixes with Midnight II and Blue Note KBG had less damage caused by brown patch compared to TF alone and mixes with lower quality KBG experimental selections.
Tall fescue (TF; Schedonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort.) and Kentucky bluegrass (KBG; Poa pratensis L.) are commonly established on athletic fields, golf course roughs, home lawns, and parks throughout the north, central, and transition zones of the United States (Meyer and Funk, 1989). Mixtures of TF and KBG are popular with sod producers within the transition zone of the
TPI Turf News July/August 2019
Te recent literature is lacking information on the performance of mixtures comprised of newer TF and KBG cultivars. Moreover, there is a dearth of information on the species composition response of TF and KBG mixtures subjected to traffic stresses. Te objectives of this study were to assess the performance and species composition of TF and KBG mixtures containing newer cultivars and subjected to autumn wear.
Materials and Methods
Te trial was conducted on a loam in North Brunswick, New Jersey, during 2010 through 2014. Four unique TF cultivars (Falcon V, Mustang 4, Justice, and Greenkeeper) and four genetically diverse types of KBG including the cultivars Midnight II (Compact-Midnight type) and Blue Note (Compact-America type) and the experimental selections A05-361 (Mid-Atlantic ecotype) and A05-344
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