Persistence of Overseeded Cool-Season Grasses in Bermudagrass Turf

Thomas Serensits,Matthew Cutulle,Jeffrey F Derr

doi:10.1155/2011/496892

Thomas Serensits, Matthew Cutulle + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/496892

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Abstract

Cool-season grass species are commonly overseeded into bermudagrass turf for winter color. When the overseeded grass persists beyond the spring; however, it becomes a weed. The ability of perennial ryegrass, Italian (annual) ryegrass, intermediate ryegrass, and hybrid bluegrass to persist in bermudagrass one year after seeding was determined. Perennial ryegrass, intermediate ryegrass, and Italian ryegrass produced acceptable ground cover in the spring after fall seeding. Hybrid bluegrass did not establish well, resulting in unacceptable cover. Perennial ryegrass generally persisted the most one year after seeding, either because of summer survival of plants or because of new germination the following fall. Plant counts one year after seeding were greater in the higher seeding rate treatment compared to the lower seeding treatment rate of perennial ryegrass, suggesting new germination had occurred. Plant counts one year after seeding plots with intermediate ryegrass or Italian ryegrass were attributed primarily to latent germination and not summer survival. Applications of foramsulfuron generally did not prevent overseeded species stand one year after seeding, supporting the conclusion of new germination. Although quality is less with intermediate ryegrass compared to perennial ryegrass, it transitions out easier than perennial ryegrass, resulting in fewer surviving plants one year later.

Highlights

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is the primary turfgrass grown on athletic fields and golf courses in regions ranging from the transition zone of the United States to the tropics of the world [1]
While bermudagrass typically provides an ideal turf during the summer, an underlining negative trait of bermudagrass is its winter dormancy period, especially in the transition zone where cold temperatures linger for several months
In our studies we evaluated how seeding rate and timing of foramsulfuron affects overseeded turf cover for hybrid bluegrass, annual ryegrass, and perennial ryegrass

Summary

Introduction

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is the primary turfgrass grown on athletic fields and golf courses in regions ranging from the transition zone of the United States to the tropics of the world [1]. Compared to Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) has a finer leaf texture, darker green color, and generally produces a higher quality turf. It is often used as both an overseeding species in warm climates and as a year-round turf in cooler climates. Perennial ryegrass’s popularity has led to the breeding of heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and disease-resistant cultivars. While these are generally desirable attributes, perennial ryegrass will often survive the summer and persist as a perennial weed in overseeded bermudagrass [9]. Intermediate ryegrass (L. perenne x L. multiflorum), is a hybrid between perennial and Italian ryegrass [1]

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