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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #329722
Title: Performance of low-input turfgrass species as affected by mowing and nitrogen fertilization in Minnesota

Author
item Hugie, Kari
item WATKINS, ERIC - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2016
Publication Date: 10/1/2016
Citation: Hugie, K.L., Watkins, E. 2016. Performance of low-input turfgrass species as affected by mowing and nitrogen fertilization in Minnesota. HortScience. 51:1278-1286.

Interpretive Summary: In Minnesota, most lawns and higher-cut turfgrass areas consist primarily of species such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass that are relatively resource-intensive to manage. Several studies have shown that other grass species have the potential to be used more widely on home lawns in Minnesota; however, little is known about the management requirements of these species. In this study, we evaluated the performance of four alternative grass species (hard fescue, colonial bentgrass, prairie junegrass, and tufted hairgrass) under varying mowing heights and nitrogen fertility regimes at two locations in Minnesota over two years (2010 and 2011). Our results show that hard fescue, colonial bentgrass, and ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass performed well regardless of management regime and could be utilized to a greater degree as low-input turfgrasses in Minnesota. Our results also demonstrate that native prairie junegrass populations and tufted hairgrass will require further genetic improvement before they can be utilized as turf broadly throughout the region.

Technical Abstract: In Minnesota, most lawns and higher cut turfgrass areas consist primarily of species such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) that require significant management inputs such as frequent mowing and nitrogen fertility. Several studies have shown that other species have the potential to be used more widely on home lawns in Minnesota; however, little is known about the management requirements of these species. In this study, we evaluated the performance of several alternative grass species under varying mowing and nitrogen fertility regimes at two sites in Minnesota in both 2010 and 2011. Hard fescue [Festuca trachyphylla (Hackel) Krajina] showed the most consistent performance across management regimes, seasons, and locations. Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis Sibth.) showed good spring and fall turf quality, but suffered from excess thatch development and disease incidence. ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult] maintained acceptable turf cover throughout the trial while unimproved native prairie junegrass populations did poorly regardless of management level. Tufted hairgrass [Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.] did not perform consistently in the trial due to summer stress. Our results show that hard fescue, colonial bentgrass, and ‘Barkoel’ prairie junegrass, performed well regardless of mowing height or fertility treatment and could be utilized to a greater degree as low-input turfgrasses in Minnesota.