Mowing Frequency Impacts on Tall Fescue Cultivars
Tyler Carr
Assistant Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist
Introduction:
Turfgrasses are often perceived as extreme users or resources. Turfgrass breeding efforts have developed cultivars that require reduced inputs from fertilizer, water, pesticides, and labor. Mowing is a significant labor expenditure while also contributing to increased emissions; therefore, identifying turfgrasses that require less mowing can help reduce labor and environmental impact from turfgrass management.
Materials and Methods:
This experimental area was seeded on October 3, 2022 at 6 lb/1000 square feet and overseeded at 3 lb/1000 square feet on April 6, 2023. Eight commercially-available tall fescue cultivars were planted in individual plots:
- Falcon V
- Firecracker GLS
- Gallardo
- Kentucky 31 (low-performing standard)
- Maestro
- Raceway
- Regenerate
- Titanium
Mowing frequency treatments were initiated June 13, 2023 and will continue through the fall and in 2024:
- 2x/week
- 1x/week
- 1x/2 weeks
Since treatment initiation, the experimental area has received zero pesticides, fertilizer, or supplemental irrigation.
Results:
- To-date, no differences have been observed between mowing frequencies.
- Limited differences are present between cultivars.
Conclusions:
- This experimental area is rather juvenile and treatments were only initiated 7 weeks ago. The effects of mowing frequency are expected to be cumulative, and differences may also be observed during periods of active growth (spring and fall). As these grasses mature, we expect the different tall fescue cultivars to demonstrate differences in quality.