Evaluation of Several Kentucky Bluegrass and Red Fescue Strains Maintained as Lawn Turf under Three Levels of Fertility1

Abstract

AbstractTurfgrass performance of eight selections of Kentucky bluegrass and six red fescues under three levels of fertilization was studied from 1962 through 1964. Fertilizer treatments consisted of applications of a 10‐6‐4 grade at 4.88 kg/100 m2 in spring, in spring and fall, and in spring, summer and fall. Visual ratings of turf quality were made at approximately monthly intervals during the growing seasons.Quality of turf improved markedly, particularly with bluegrasses, with each additional fertilizer application. More than two annual applications did not greatly increase fescue quality, however. ‘Park,’ ‘Delta,’ and K‐5(47) Kentucky bluegrasses performed better than other bluegrass varieties when fertilized only once a year. K‐l(51) and K‐5(47) were clearly superior when three annual applications were made. Common Kentucky bluegrass gave inferior results at all fertility levels.Frequency of fertilizer application had little effect on the order of response among the fescues. ‘Jamestown’ (R.I. No. 6) was rated highest at each fertilizer level and ‘Pennlawn’ was second. ‘Rainier’ and creeping red gave the poorest response at each fertilizer level while ‘Chewings’ and ‘Illahee’ were intermediate.