Traffic Stress Effects on Bentgrass Putting Green and Fairway Turf

Abstract

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) has received more study and use as golf course turf than velvet bentgrass (A. canina L.). The objective of two field trials, managed as putting green and fairway turf, was to evaluate the performance of creeping and velvet bentgrass in mixed swards with annual bluegrass (Poa annua var. reptans Hausskn.) when subjected to traffic stresses. The trials were initiated on a sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludult). Wear (no‐wear and wear) and compaction (no‐compaction and compaction) were applied in a factorial combination to 15 creeping or velvet bentgrasses. Turf quality, turf density, and bentgrass populations of cultivars were more susceptible to wear stress than compaction. Velvet bentgrass performed and resisted the spread of annual bluegrass better than most creeping bentgrasses. Cultivars that formed denser turf performed well in both trials; ‘Vesper’, ‘7001’, and ‘Penn A‐4’ had the best overall performance. Interactions indicated ‘SR 7200’, ‘Penn G‐2’, and ‘Providence’ were susceptible to compaction. ‘Pennlinks’ and ‘Penncross’ were ineffective at maintaining desirable bentgrass populations particularly in the putting green trial. Management strategies that minimize wear damage may have a greater impact on turf quality and bentgrass populations in mixed stands than practices intended to manage compaction, particularly on well‐drained soil.