mixtures of several grass species, with some including strawberry, white or Microclover® (Trifolium spp.); and even a western yarrow entry (Achillea millefolium L.). Management is minimal for the five-year
trial, with no fertilizer applications or irrigation after establishment, no pest control at any time during the trial, and mowing at 3 – 3.5” on the thirteen standard trial sites. Tree ancillary trial sites evaluate the effect of one annual grass pre-emergence application (spring 2016) only, then following standard trial protocols for the remaining four years of the trial. One additional trial location (West Lafayette, IN) makes an additional fertilizer application on one half of each plot for 2016 and 2017 only, to evaluate the effect of the small increase of fertilizer on performance and survival. Overall, these locations are maintained very minimally, which is of interest to an increasing number of our customers. First year data from any NTEP trial typically
reflects establishment rate. However, entries in this low input trial, with no annual grass or broadleaf weed control, need excellent establishment to resist weed invasion in year one and therefore, deliver good quality. Te entries with the best ground cover in spring 2016 include tall fescue (Bullseye, Ky-31 E+), several mixtures that are primarily tall fescue (DLFPS TFASTC, Southern Mixture, Vitality Double, DTT Tall Fescue Mix, DLFPS TF-A), and some mixtures that include clover (DFPS TFAM, DLF ChCrM). Of the best entries for spring ground cover, only DLFPS TFAM, DLFPS ChCrM, DLFPS TFASTC and Southern Mixture had the best ground cover in fall 2016. In addition, the western yarrow entry Yaak also had high fall ground cover. Turfgrass quality ratings collected in this
first year resulted in three LPI groups, but with small differences among the entries. With many different species, mixtures with clovers and even non-grasses (western yarrow), turfgrass quality ratings are more difficult to assess, most likely leading to the insignificance among entries. Along with ground cover and overall persistence
ratings, resistance to weed invasion may be one of the most important characteristic of these entries. Data collected at six locations showed that only Yaak, the western yarrow entry, DLFPS TFAM, a tall fescue mixture with Microclover®, and DLFPS ChCrM, a fine fescue mixture with Microclover® finished in the top statistical group for least weed invasion. However, please keep in mind that most likely, performance of these entries will change a lot over the remaining four years of this trial.
Other Species Other cool-season species, such as prairie
junegrass (Koeleria spp.), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis), supina bluegrass (Poa supina) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua) are potential sod products, although limited in their utility and geographical area of adaptation. Native species, such as junegrass and tufted
hairgrass, under low maintenance can form a dense sward with an appearance somewhat like perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass. One tufted hairgrass cultivar has been tested by NTEP (1998 NTEP Fineleaf Fescue trial). Te other bluegrass species, rough, annual and supina are still very much under development without a lot known about their performance characteristics and production needs. Other native species, such as inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and poverty grass (Danthonia spicata), have special traits such as salt tolerance (inland saltgrass) or tolerance to infertile soils (poverty grass), but are probably several years away from commercialization.
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TPI Turf News July/August 2017
43
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