Author: carr.981

Mowing Frequency Impacts on Tall Fescue Cultivars

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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.

Wetting Agents

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Wetting Agents

Tyler Carr

Assistant Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist

Introduction:

Wetting agents are commonly used to increase moisture uniformity and mitigate the effects of localized dry spot in sand-based rootzones. New wetting agents are routinely developed and tested to ensure efficacy and limited phytotoxicity.

Materials and Methods:

This experiment was initiated on July 12, 2023 on a newly-established sand-based putting green consisting of ‘Pure Distinction’ creeping bentgrass. Fourteen experimental wetting agents and an untreated control treatment were applied in seperate plots at a rate of 6 fl oz/1000 square feet in a carrier volume of 2 gallons/1000 square feet. Within one hour of application, 0.25 inches of water was applied to the experimental area.

The wetting agents will be reapplied on 21-day intervals until five applications have been made (applications on days 0, 21, 42, 63, and 84). Irrigation will be applied at 50% of the normal rate for weeks 6-8 so treatments can be evaluated across a range of irrigation regimes.

Evaluations:

  • Volumetric water content (VWC) every 14 days at 1.5 and 4.8 inches
    • 9 measurements per plot to assess soil moisture uniformity
  • Phytoxicity evaluated 2 and 7 days after treatment (DAT) application using dark green color index (DGCI), a metric of turfgrass color

Results:

Soil moisture:

  • Treatments did not differ in VWC 14 days after the original application
  • Repeated applications are likely necessary to elucidate treatment effects

Phytoxicity:

  • Treatments differed in DGCI 2 DAT, with many treatments significantly different than the untreated control (Figure 1). This implies that some phytoxicity was present in those treatments. All phytoxic effects were alleviated by 7 DAT.

Figure 1. Dark green color index values for 14 experimental wetting agents and an untreated control two days after treatment application on a sand-based ‘Pure Distinction’ creeping bentgrass putting green in Columbus, OH. Greater values indicate darker green turfgrass, and bars represent the least significant difference for detecting treatment differences (P ≤ 0.05)

Conclusions:

Evidence from previous research indicates that season-long wetting agent programs are beneficial in alleviating localized dry spot and increasing moisture uniformity on sand-based putting greens. While this study is only at its infancy, monitoring a wetting agent program throughout the season will help companies identify products that perform best in Ohio.