Turfgrass species and varieties for Scandinavian golf greens

Abstract

Because of different climatic and political conditions, turfgrass variety testing in the UK or North America is not directly applicable to Scandinavian golf courses. A species- and variety-testing project was carried out from 2003 to 2006 on United States Golf Association (USGA)-specification greens at the Norwegian research stations Apelsvoll [60°42’ N, 10°52'E, 250 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] and Landvik [58°20’ N, 8°31'E, 10 m a.s.l.]. The two sites were considered representative for the northern/continental and southern/coastal part of Scandinavia, respectively. Forty-three varieties of six different species/subspecies were evaluated in the sowing year and subsequent three years for visual merit (turfgrass quality), plant coverage, tiller density, color, leaf fineness, winter damage, date of spring green-up, height growth, and thatch accumulation. The trials were managed as putting greens including mowing three times per week to 4.5–5.0 mm for Festuca rubra and 3 mm for Agrostis sp. and Poa annua. No pesticides were used. Agrostis canina had the highest scores for visual merit, tiller density, and leaf fineness, but also accumulated more thatch than did other species. At the northern test site Agrostis canina had better winter survival than had any other species except Agrostis capillaris. Poa annua and all varieties of Agrostis stolonifera except ‘Nordlys’ had significantly more winter damage than did varieties of Festuca rubra. Plant height growth increased in the order Agrostis canina<Agrostis stolonifera<Poa annua<Agrostis capillaris=Festuca rubra ssp. trichophylla<Festuca rubra ssp. commutata. Variety differences were significant in all species except Poa annua and Agrostis canina at both sites and Festuca rubra ssp. trichophylla at the southern site but the ranking of varieties often differed between the two sites due to different winter requirements. Lists of recommended species and varieties for Scandinavian golf greens are presented based on climatic zone and green-maintenance practices.