As restrictions on water use, fertilization, and pesticide
applications continue to increase, golf course superintendents will need to use
species that require reduced inputs. The
objective of this study was to evaluate alternative grass species under
low-input fairways conditions. In
September 2005, 17 species were established on native soil [Waukegan
silt loam (fine-silty over sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll)] in St. Paul, MN. The experimental design was a multiple split
plot with four replications. Each
species was evaluated at three levels of traffic (0, 3, and 6 passes per week
using a drum-type wear machine) and two mowing heights (2.54 and 1.90 cm). Species evaluated included creeping bentgrass
(Agrostis palustris),
colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis), velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina), redtop (Agrostis alba), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis),
creeping bluegrass (Poa annua var. reptans),
rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis),
supina bluegrass (Poa
supina), Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea),
hard fescue (Festuca trachyphylla),
Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra var. commutata), sheep fescue (Festuca ovina),
perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne),
tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa),
alkaligrass (Puccinellia distans), and timothy (Phleum nodosum). Velvet bentgrass, colonial bentgrass and supina bluegrass performed well under traffic at both
mowing heights during year one. In year
two, the fine fescue species (hard fescue, Chewings
fescue and sheep fescue) were the top-performing species regardless of
treatment. Differences in surface
hardness and soil compaction will also be discussed.