‘SeaIsle 2000’ Paspalum Putting Surface Response to Mowing Height and Nitrogen Fertilizer

Abstract

‘SeaIsle 2000’ seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.), when maintained as a putting green surface, was observed for turfgrass response attributes, nutrient content, and ball roll distance (BRD) when subjected to three mowing heights and four monthly N application rates during a 2‐yr period. Acceptable visible turfgrass quality of 6.0 (on a scale of 1 to 9) or greater was achieved at all mowing heights and with all N application rates. Shoot counts were greatest in both years at the 0.3‐cm height and were not influenced by N. Root weights were not affected by mowing height or applied N fertilizer rates. Clipping dry weight generally increased with shorter mowing height and higher levels of applied N. There was a trend for leaf Fe levels to decrease with increasing mowing height. Leaf tissue N increased in response to increasing levels of N application. The BRD was largely unaffected by N fertilization, but was consistently affected by mowing height and rolling. Mowing height significantly affected BRD values on seven of eight test dates in 2000 and on all 12 in 2001, with greatest BRD occurring at the shortest mowing height. The maximum observed BRD was 277 cm. Mean BRD on rolled and unrolled turf surfaces mowed at the 0.3‐cm height were 234 and 214 cm, respectively.