Some of these studies initiate after full
establishment, and the second year of data was initiated in 2021. Traffic applied at Amherst, MA, yielded good statistical separation with AH1, BY-TF-169, and Bandit with the highest wear tolerance ratings, but not necessarily top turfgrass quality ratings. At Amherst, Dragster finished with the highest turfgrass quality mean, while still finishing in the top statistical group for wear tolerance. Intensive traffic was applied on the tall fescue trial at North Brunswick, NJ, during spring, summer, and fall 2021. Large differences in uniformity, ground cover, and canopy fullness were noted, although statistical differences among entries for turf quality were small or non-existent. Brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani) is typically the
most prevalent disease on tall fescue, and as is typical, several locations noted and rated the disease in 2021. Year three data yielded more statistical significance for brown patch than year one. Some of the highest-ranking entries for brown patch in 2021 include TD2, DLFPS-321/3701, DLFPS-321/3705, and PPG-TF 312.
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 2016, consists of 114 entries, most being new experimentals. Te fifth and final year data from this trial (2021) is now available on our website. Eleven locations submitted data in 2021, with
entries including Apple 3GL, Pharaoh, and 02BS2 that finished the year in the top statistical group at several locations. Drought tolerance was tested for the final time at Logan, UT, alongside a standard irrigation trial regime. As in previous years, statistical differences were not large among entries, but Slugger 3GL, Mystique, Paradox GLR, and Slider LS were the highest rated entries in the drought tolerance evaluation. Entries performing in the top statistical group under both normal irrigation and drought included NP-2, PPG-PR 370, and Slugger 3GL. Traffic tolerance was tested again at two locations,
Amherst, MA, and Corvallis, OR, in 2021, with each site using different methodology. Even though several entries performed well in only one of the two sites, there are several that performed well at these two diverse sites, 3,000 miles (4,828.032 kilometers) apart. Entries 02BS2, SR4700, Furlong, Apple 3GL, Stellar 3GL, and Stellar 4GL, among several others, finished at the top of quality rating averages at Amherst, while also finishing in the top group at Corvallis. Diseases and other pests were rated on these trials
in 2021. Data from red thread (Laetisaria fuciformis) and brown patch, collected at Columbia, MO, showed small statistical differences among entries. Crown rust (Puccinia coronata), seen at the St. Paul, MN, site in 2021, delivered much larger statistical significances with Gator Fore,
TPI Turf News July/August 2022
NTEP ancillary trials collect data on specific traits and often require specialized equipment or unique locations, such as under shade trees for this fine fescue shade trail in Newark, DE.
Te term “fineleaf fescue” includes several species.
Strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra spp. 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 2021 is analyzed and sorted based on
groups of species that performed well at selected locations. Multiple year analysis will be needed to evaluate long-term performance. Seven LPI groups were identified in this year one data, which typically reflects establishment rate and performance before thatch develops. LPI group 1 top performers are primarily hard
fescues, including PPG-FL 128, DLFPS-FL-3104, and PVF-PDB-2020. However, several other LPI groups showed Chewings or strong creeping red fescues as top
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Furlong, and Stellar 4GL with the highest ratings (7.7), where the damage ratings ranged as low as 1.7 (LSD=1.6). Finally, percent Poa annua infestation was evaluated at Adelphia, NJ, with entries such as DLFPS-236/3546, Furlong, Mystique, and Stellar 4GL, among a few others, with zero Poa annua in their plots.
Fineleaf Fescues
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