Author: Tyler VanLandingham

Turfgrass Species Used In This Experiment

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This ODA trial has focused on four turfgrass species that are currently in use or could be used in home lawns in Ohio and they all possess different characteristics that could be considered beneficial for low input systems.

The four species in the test are perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne, kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis, Tall Fescue Schedonorus arundinaceus and hard fescue Festuca trachyphylla. These species have different identifying characteristics as well as growth habits. These differences can both help and hinder the success of each species.

 

Tall Fescue: Bunch type species that traditionally has had a coarser texture. This species has displayed excellent tolerance to heat stress while also exhibits relatively good levels of tolerance to insect issues. The species can be susceptible to the pathogen Rhizoctonia solanii brown patch but in general in low input lawns this grass species possesses high potential for use in home lawns in Ohio. Concerns about cold tolerance have reduced through breeding and once maturity is attained and survival occurs during the first winter then cold tolerance is considered excellent.

Mowing heights for this species are recommended between 1-3” and the species is noted for tolerating lower nitrogen rates already compared to other species in use. Annual nitrogen rates for tall fescue can be as low as 2lb/N per 1000ft2 in a low use situation and preferably using a majority of slow release nitrogen sources also. Irrigating to a 1” depth weekly is also not recommended for tall fescue – the current perception is that possibly 6/10 of an inch would be acceptable for this species.

Bullseye Tall Fescue is one of the cultivars used in this study

 

Perennial ryegrass: A second bunch type species which does not produce either stolons or rhizomes which would allow for natural spread is a species that is used across a range of areas. Sports field managers will use it for its rapid germination as well as contrasting leaf color and homeowners may try to use this turfgrass for similar purposes. The species is susceptible to some diseases such as rust Puccinia and a range of insects which will produce root feeding larvae. Further to this perennial ryegrass traditionally has required higher rates of nitrogen to create the desired colors and it is another species that in cold winter temperatures may be susceptible to damage.

Overdrive Perennial Ryegrass is one of the cultivars used in this study

 

Kentucky bluegrass: A spreading species that produces rhizomes has held a primary place in home lawns for many years in Ohio. The species is capable to tolerating very low temperatures and when managed properly can produce a high-quality lawn. The species however is susceptible to many insect issues such as white grubs, bluegrass billbugs and also armyworm infestations. Further to this, the species will go dormant during hot dry spells in the summer without irrigation, it will recover but patience is a virtue. The species is also susceptible to rust and summer patch Magnaporthe, and some other seasonal diseases. This means that the species needs inputs to produce the high-quality stand of turf but if done properly its medium fine texture is desirable result. The species does need similar annual rates of nitrogen to Perennial ryegrass 3-6lbs/N p er 1000ft2 but it does have greater cold tolerance which in Ohio can be important.

Moon Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the cultivars used in this study

 

Hard fescue: This subspecies belongs to a group of grasses known as fine fescues. The overall species originated in Europe and we see them most frequently on links golf courses over there. The issues arise with heat tolerance and wet conditions – the species grows best on sandy soils while naturally have limited nutrient availability. This means that hard fescue should be able to tolerate ultra low rates of nitrogen which would make it a very sustainable subspecies. The issue with the subspecies is that if in a lawn that is trafficked from kids/pets etc., in the summer – it most likely will not withstand the stress. Hard fescue has few problems with pests other than some red thread in spring it does have limited problems. The species is bunch type and so again the lack of spread is a concern. Potentially it offers a low input subspecies in Ohio and needs further research.

Nanook Hard Fescue is one of the cultivars used in this study

Year 1 Update!

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Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by our blog! This post will cover some high level updates on our results from year 1. Keep in mind that this project is continuing through the end of this year and the data/images presented in this post are not our final conclusions. There will be a handful of images in this post as I feel that is the best way to see the differences or similarities that we are seeing in the field, but I will also share some graphs that show the big picture. The nitty gritty details will come in a later update for those of you that want the specifics, so stay tuned.

Year 1 was a bit of a roller coaster and we are already halfway through year 2! If you will make it no further in this post here is a quick high level summary: Location matters! Different turf species are performing differently across the state. Tall fescue is currently the top performer across all nitrogen rates and locations on average, with kentucky bluegrass being the lowest performing species (not surprising here due to the higher input requirements of the species). However, many bluegrass plots have started to come around in the higher nitrogen treatment groups. The Columbus location is providing the greatest contrast among nitrogen rates while the nitrogen treatment groups at the other 3 locations are tending to blend a little bit more together.

Overall turf quality response of each species and cultivar to N. Averaged across date and location. See previous blog post for description on turf quality.

Overall NDVI response of each species and cultivar to N. Averaged across date and location. See previous blog post for description on NDVI

 

Below are some images from the Columbus location comparing mid-season last year to now:

Top image is from Columbus location July ’24; bottom image is Columbus location August ’23.

Top image is Columbus location, Replicate 4 from July ’24. Bottom image is Columbus location, replicate 4, September ’23. White outline = 0N; Purple = 0.5N; Blue = 1N; Orange = 2N; Red = 4N. Rates in pounds of nitrogen per 1000sqft. per year

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more updates in the near future!

Thanks for stopping by,

Tyler

Data Collection Methods

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Turfgrass, with its lush carpets and vibrant greens, is not just a sight to behold but a fascinating subject of scientific inquiry. Behind every perfectly manicured lawn or athletic field lies a wealth of research aimed at understanding and optimizing turfgrass health and performance. At the heart of this research lies a crucial step: data collection. Here in this post, we will look at the data collection methods for our project to show you all what goes on behind the scenes.

Quick overview video on a few tools we are using : Check out the video here

Data Collection Tools We Are Using:

Lightbox:

A lightbox plays a crucial role in capturing high-quality photographs of turfgrass research due to several key reasons:

  1. Consistent Lighting: A lightbox provides uniform and diffuse lighting from all sides, eliminating harsh shadows and ensuring even illumination across the turfgrass samples. This consistency is essential for accurately documenting color, texture, and growth patterns without distortion or inconsistencies caused by uneven lighting.
  2. Color Accuracy: Proper lighting in a lightbox helps maintain color accuracy in photographs. Turfgrass researchers often need to document subtle variations in grass color, which can indicate health, nutrient deficiencies, or stress. The balanced light in a lightbox ensures that these color nuances are faithfully reproduced in the photographs.
  3. Detail and Clarity: The controlled lighting environment of a lightbox enhances the clarity and detail of the photographs. This is crucial when capturing fine textures and structures of turfgrass, such as leaf blades, stems, and root systems. Sharp, detailed images are essential for thorough analysis and comparison during research.
  4. Standardization: Using a lightbox ensures that photographs are taken under standardized conditions, which is essential for consistency in research documentation. Researchers can replicate lighting settings across different sessions or studies, facilitating accurate comparisons and analysis over time.

In essence, a lightbox is indispensable in turfgrass research photography for its ability to provide consistent, accurate, and detailed images that are essential for scientific observation, analysis, and publication.

NDVI:

The GreenSeeker NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) tool is a valuable instrument used in turfgrass research for assessing and monitoring the health and vigor of turfgrass stands. NDVI is a numerical indicator that quantifies vegetation density and health based on the differential reflectance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible light wavelengths. Here’s how the GreenSeeker NDVI tool functions and its significance in turfgrass research:

  1. Principle of Operation: The GreenSeeker NDVI tool measures the reflectance of both NIR and visible light from the turfgrass canopy. Healthy vegetation reflects more NIR light and absorbs more visible light compared to stressed or sparse vegetation. NDVI is calculated using the formula         where N
  2. IR is near-infrared reflectance and Red is red reflectance. Higher NDVI values typically indicate denser and healthier vegetation.
  3. Application in Turfgrass Research:
    • Monitoring Growth and Health: NDVI values obtained from GreenSeeker can indicate the growth status and health condition of turfgrass over time. Researchers can track changes in NDVI to assess responses to fertilization, irrigation, mowing practices, and other management interventions.
    • Precision Management: It enables precise management strategies by identifying areas of the turf that may require specific treatments (e.g., increased fertilizer or water applications) based on their NDVI readings.
    • Quantitative Data: NDVI provides quantitative data that can be compared across different turfgrass plots, treatments, or study periods, allowing for objective evaluation of experimental results.
  4. Advantages:
    • Non-destructive: NDVI measurement is non-destructive, allowing researchers to monitor turfgrass health without disrupting the turf itself.
    • Objective Measurement: It provides objective, numerical data that reduces subjective interpretation and enhances the scientific rigor of turfgrass research.
    • Time Efficiency: NDVI measurements with GreenSeeker are rapid, allowing for efficient data collection over large areas of turfgrass.

Height:

Measuring turfgrass height is a critical component of research in turfgrass management and ecology for several important reasons:

  1. Indicator of Growth and Development: Turfgrass height serves as a direct indicator of growth and development. By regularly measuring height, researchers can track how quickly turfgrass is growing under different conditions such as varying levels of fertilizer, water, or light. This information helps in understanding optimal conditions for promoting healthy turf growth.
  2. Response to Management Practices: Turfgrass height measurement allows researchers to assess how different management practices affect growth rates. For example, the impact of different mowing heights or frequencies can be evaluated by observing changes in turfgrass height over time. This data helps in refining management strategies to achieve desired aesthetic or functional outcomes.
  3. Environmental Stress and Adaptation: Changes in turfgrass height can signal responses to environmental stressors such as drought, disease, or temperature fluctuations. Monitoring height variations provides insights into how turfgrass adapts to these stresses and helps in developing strategies to enhance stress tolerance.
  4. Consistency in Research Protocols: Standardized height measurements ensure consistency in research protocols, enabling accurate comparisons between different studies, locations, or experimental treatments. This consistency is crucial for drawing reliable conclusions and making informed recommendations for turfgrass management.
  5. Quantitative Data for Analysis: Height measurements provide quantitative data that can be statistically analyzed to assess treatment effects or correlations with other parameters like soil moisture, nutrient levels, or pest incidence. This analytical approach enhances the scientific rigor of turfgrass research.

Take a quick look at the GreenSeeker NDVI tool and how we measure turfgrass height in the video below!

Check out the video here

In our next post, we will have a year 1 preliminary results update for you. Thanks and have a great day!

Tyler

 

Welcome!

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Welcome! Odds are by landing here you are a curious industry professional, or you have been walking by one of the research sites and felt compelled to see what in the world is going on! Well, you have landed in the right place!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tyler VanLandingham. I am currently a Masters

Student at The Ohio State University in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. As of this writing, I am about to turn 30! (yes I know, I am old to be in school). Let me explain. I graduated from OSU back in 2015 with a degree in Turfgrass Science. During school and for the following 8 years, I have been at a variety of golf courses including Muirfield Village Golf Club, Canterbury Golf Club, and an Assistant Superintendent for 7 years at The Golf Club in New Albany, Ohio. I recently ended those endeavors to pursue a Graduate degree and hopefully contribute to turfgrass research field. I have two young boys at home and enjoy spending my time with them and playing golf. I tell you all this because I will act as your tour guide of the following 2 years that this research study will be conducted. My hope is to provide you with some great, actionable, and thought-provoking information into how we can reduce our fertilizer inputs across both home lawns and commercial landscapes while still maintaining a beautiful and healthy grass stand. But more on that in a minute. Before I get into the basics of the research, I want to personally invite you to communicate with me. I love hearing comments and questions from those that are interested in what we are doing. I believe that the success and implementation of good research starts with frequent and clear communication with those that stand to benefit from said research. Yes that is you! So please feel free to reach out to me with either comments here on the website, at vanlandingham.11@osu.edu, or @tvland11 on Twitter. I look forwarded to connecting with you! 

Ok, enough banter. Let’s get into why you’re actually here….

The use of fertilizers to beautify, thicken, and make darker green lawns has increased as suburban areas have developed. Home lawns enhance life, allowing a place for families to interact and play, and green spaces have been shown to improve mental health. Healthy lawns can aid in reducing surface temperatures, reducing heat islands, increasing rain infiltration, reducing movements of nutrients such as phosphorus into waterways, as well as many other positive impacts. However, to have healthy turfgrasses that impart these benefits, there is a need for nitrogen fertilizer applications.

Traditionally, in Ohio, the approach has been to make four nitrogen applications per year with an average annual nitrogen rate of 4.0 lbs. of N per 1,000 ft2, but there are no clear statewide recommendations, leading to excessive nitrogen use. A recent survey of the Ohio Lawn Care Association (OLCA) membership indicated that lawn care companies (19 respondents) apply 1.5 – 7.0 lbs. of N per 1,000 ft2 per year, supporting the need for us to refine best management practices to curb excessive nitrogen use. We have also seen increases in the species and cultivars available for home lawns. Many of these grasses are touted as low input, potentially requiring less fertilizer, but this is not known in Ohio

Low-input turfgrasses including tall and fine fescues are gaining prominence in Ohio due to having enhanced tolerances to heat, drought, and pests. Pest reduction in these grasses is in part due to the presence of endophytic fungi that impart natural insect suppression, decreasing insecticide needs. Both hard and tall fescue also have the potential to require reduced nitrogen to stay healthy compared to other turfgrasses such as perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Breeders of the latter two species have become aware of this and have begun introducing cultivars that are purported to require less input. For example, a genetically modified Kentucky bluegrass has been introduced from the Scotts company, which claims to require less nitrogen.

The green industry is moving towards reducing nitrogen fertility due to environmental impacts, product shortages, and consumer interest. Greater focus on water quality in Ohio requires refinement of fertilizer use rates. To make more informed choices, we need to refine our best management practices by examining responses of various species and new cultivars to low and high rates of nitrogen. This work needs to be done across different regions of Ohio that have unique environments which may impact turfgrass nitrogen needs; therefore, impacting the recommendations we would make. Refined best management practices for nitrogen applications will aid lawncare companies, sod farms, sports field managers, golf course superintendents, homeowners, or anyone managing high-cut turfgrasses. This will lead to more informed decisions, decreasing nitrogen use, reducing environmental impacts, and resulting in money savings.

Thanks everyone for checking this out! Keep following along for updates on results and an in depth look at how the plots were established, methods of data collection, and more!

Cheers,

Tyler