Strategy and Rate Affects Success of Perennial Ryegrass Overseeding into Bermudagrass Athletic Fields Located on the North Edge of the Transition Zone

Abstract

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) is used on athletic fields farther north than previously and field managers routinely overseed bermudagrass with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (PRG) to improve color and wear tolerance during late fall use. Our objectives were to determine optimum PRG seeding rates and strategies for overseeding bermudagrass athletic fields on the north edge of the transition zone. Our factorial treatment arrangement included five seeding rates (610, 1220, 2440, 3660, and 4880 kg/ha/year pure live seed and three strategies including applying 100% of the seed in one application (100), 70% of total seed in the initial application plus 10% of total seed in each of three successive applications ten days apart (70/10/10/10), or four equal applications of 25% of the total seed applied ten days apart (25/25/25/25). Perennial ryegrass coverage rarely increased at seeding rates higher than 2440 kg/ha/year regardless of location, seeding strategy, or rating date. The seeding strategy of 25/25/25/25 consistently produced the most PRG coverage, nearly 20% greater than that from the 70/10/10/10 and nearly 50% greater than that from the 100 strategy. Therefore, we recommend seeding a total of 2440 kg/ha/year in four equal applications ten days apart to maximize perennial ryegrass overseeding coverage on bermudagrass athletic fields in the northern transition zone.