Home Lawns Research Articles

Verticutting frequency influences lateral spread of two Paspalum species

AbstractBahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) and dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) are perennial warm‐season grasses that readily invade home lawns, sports fields, and golf courses. Research was conducted at the Athens Turfgrass Research and Education Center in Athens, GA, during the summer of 2015 to evaluate the response of Paspalum L. species to verticutting. Weeds were transplanted into bare ground from naturally occurring populations and allowed to mature for 3 weeks prior to trial initiation. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design with two Paspalum L. species by four verticutting treatments in a split‐plot experimental design with four replications. The main plot factor was verticutting treatment (no verticutting, one verticutting event, two verticutting events, and three verticutting events). The subplot factor was Paspalum L. species (bahiagrass or dallisgrass). Verticutting had a negative impact on bahiagrass lateral spread, while dallisgrass responded similarly to verticutting as the non‐verticut check. Significant reductions in bahiagrass plant diameter were observed following two and three verticutting events. The asymmetric response of Paspalum L species to verticutting may be attributed to plant morphology. Bahiagrass rhizomes run along the soil surface, making them susceptible to mechanical damage from verticutting, while dallisgrass rhizomes are protected belowground within the soil profile. Although verticutting alone does not control bahiagrass, the incorporation of verticutting into a bahiagrass chemical control program may improve long‐term control by garnering the benefits of both mechanical damage and enhanced herbicidal activity.

Mowing height and irrigation effects on above ground biomass production of Schedonorus arundinaceus

AbstractThe utilization of biomass from golf course and home lawn landscapes greatly impacts soil conditions, plant health, and municipal waste disposal. In 2020 and 2021, research was conducted to evaluate aboveground biomass production of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.) in relation to mowing height. Irrigated and non‐irrigated plots of tall fescue were mown to 5.08, 6.35, and 7.62 cm. Biomass yields were determined by dried clipping weight. In general, 5.08 and 7.62 cm mowing height treatments consistently produced the greatest and lowest biomass yields, respectively. With few exceptions, results were consistent between irrigated and non‐irrigated trials. For tall fescue, findings suggest an inverse relationship between height of cut (HOC) and aboveground biomass production. Regardless of irrigation, tall fescue clipping yields declined when mown at a greater HOC.

No Mow May and Leave The Leaves: The impact of social campaigns on turf quality

AbstractThe No Mow May and Leave The Leaves social media campaigns, both of which advocate for a minimalist approach to turf management in various settings including home lawns, parks, and urban greenspaces, have gained momentum in the public consciousness. No Mow May encourages homeowners and municipalities to refrain from mowing the grass in May, and Leave The Leaves recommends refraining from raking and removing fallen tree leaves in the autumn. The underlying goal is to support biodiversity, particularly pollinators, by either allowing wildflowers to flourish or providing an overwintering habitat for insects and other small creatures. This study examined each of these campaigns and the combination of both on turf quality and weed establishment. By avoiding lawn mowing until June, the unintended consequences were increased weed invasion and decreased turf quality. Regardless of Leaf treatment, flower number did not differ between mowed and unmowed treatments except when counting immediately followed mowing. Thick leaf litter over turf in the winter led to turf death followed by weed invasion. The challenges we observed associated with No Mow May and Leave The Leaves initiatives could be addressed by integrating science‐backed practices and considering regional variations in climate and grass species. This would ensure that both environmental conservation and turf health are considered.

The role of turfgrasses in environmental protection and their benefits to humans: Thirty years later

AbstractBeard and Green compiled one of the earliest reviews on the environmental and societal (cultural) benefits that living turfgrass systems (e.g., home lawns, athletic fields, golf courses, roadsides, and grounds) provide to humans and associated contemporary issues with turfgrass. Today, the benefits of vegetation systems are called ecosystem services, and the associated negative aspects are called disservices. Since 1994, a significant amount of research has been conducted to further understand these ecosystem services and disservices and discover new ecosystem services and disservices, which we summarize and identify the knowledge gaps in this review. Turfgrass systems provide positive economic benefits to the US economy and help increase property values; however, many of these ecosystem services are environmental and societal. Some environmental services include (1) improving soil health, quality, and stability; (2) oxygen production; (3) reducing stormwater runoff; (4) filtering water to protect waterways and recharging groundwater; (5) providing evaporative cooling and reducing sunlight glare to improve human comfort levels; (6) offering vertebrate and invertebrate habitat; and (7) offering solutions for recycling wastewater and biosolids. Some societal (cultural) services include (1) outdoor spaces that improve human mental and physical health, (2) increasing community and social harmony, (3) helping deter crime, and (4) reducing human contact with noxious weeds and human‐disease insect vectors. Research, cooperative extension, and education efforts must be increased on these topics to continue to provide additional evidence of these ecosystem services to the public, policymakers, turfgrass practitioners, homeowners, students, and future generations.

Sports field users in Minnesota support herbicide use for weed‐free recreation

Plain Language SummaryWeeds on sports fields pose a continuous challenge, requiring effective management to address impacts on aesthetics, playability, performance, and safety. Weed control involves various approaches, including herbicide application. However, concerns about human and environmental health have led to increased regulation. Unlike prior research on herbicide perceptions in home lawns and parks, this study focuses on sports fields. Participants preferred weed‐free fields and more effective control methods, despite acknowledging potential harms. Findings highlight the importance of aligning maintenance practices with user preferences for weed‐free surfaces and effective control methods in managing turfgrass sports fields.

Novel Curve Fitting Analysis of NDVI Data to Describe Turf Fertilizer Response

Evaluating the effectiveness of fertilizers on crops without traditional yield is difficult, as clipping collection is time-consuming and not indicative of the desired response to the fertilizer. Remote sensing techniques, like the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), have emerged as an effective tool to combat these issues. Canopy reflectance, measured by NDVI, is commonly used to differentiate turfgrass response to nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments; however, advancements in data processing are needed for greater differentiation between treatments and better testing of the effects of fertilizer responses. Presented here is an advancement in the processing of NDVI data by applying a compound exponential (pulse peak) function to changes in NDVI over time, relative to a control. This method’s effectiveness in differentiating between fertilizers was evaluated by applying polymer-coated urea (PCU), an enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF), and urea on turfgrass to show the usefulness of the novel curve fitting in highlighting differences in fertilizer response. The field study was carried out on an established Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) blend on a sandy loam soil rootzone maintained with a typical home lawn maintenance regime. Ratios of PCU to urea ranging from 100% urea to 100% PCU with increments of 20% of PCU were used to observe a continuum of response between the two fertilizer types. The N rate for all blends was 73 kg ha−1, with unfertilized plots used as a control to set baseline measurements for the curve fitting. Turfgrass response to N fertilization treatments was assessed through visual turfgrass quality ratings, dry matter yield, and canopy reflectance, where higher urea content resulted in the shortest time to maximum ∆NDVI (24 days), while 100% EEF reached maximum ∆NDVI at 56 days. The novel curve fitting analysis of the NDVI data allowed for differentiation between treatments, provided a measure of fertilizer effects, and differentiated between urea and enhanced efficiency fertilizers.

Strategies for reducing inputs and emissions in turfgrass systems

AbstractTurfgrass systems (e.g., home lawns, commercial properties, golf courses, athletic fields, roadsides, sod farms, parks, and other green spaces) in the US employ 820,000 individuals, have a $60 billion economic impact, and cover nearly 2% (∼63,250 mi2; 163,800 km2) of the US. Turfgrass systems provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, oxygen production, water and air purification, improved soil health, pollinator habitat, and evaporative cooling. Associated disservices with turfgrass systems include nutrient and pesticide leaching, greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions, low plant diversity, and site‐specific, high water consumption. The goal of recent research efforts is to maximize the services and minimize the disservices by focusing on sustainability initiatives to develop best management practices such reducing management inputs (e.g., mowing, irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides), incorporating pollinator‐friendly spaces, adopting new technologies, quantitatively assessing ecosystem services provided, minimizing energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing carbon sequestration. This part‐review, part‐management guide summarizes these efforts, identifies knowledge gaps, and outlines how turfgrass systems can adapt to and mitigate climate change.

Response of Warm Season Turf Grasses to Combined Cold and Salinity Stress under Foliar Applying Organic and Inorganic Amendments

Turfgrasses are considered an important part of the landscape and ecological system of golf courses, sports fields, parks, and home lawns. Turfgrass species are affected by many abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity, cold, heat, waterlogging, and heavy metals) and biotic stresses (mainly diseases and pests). In the current study, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) and Tifway bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy × C. Dactylon) were selected because they are popular turfgrasses frequently used for outdoor lawns and sport fields. The effect of the combined stress from both soil salinity and cold on these warm season grasses was investigated. Some selected organic and inorganic amendments (i.e., humic acid, ferrous sulphate, and silicon) were applied as foliar sprays five times during the winter season from late October to March. This was repeated over two years in field trials involving salt-affected soils. The physiological and chemical parameters of the plants, including plant height; fresh and dry weight per plot; total chlorophyll content; and nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and potassium content, were measured. The results showed that all the studied amendments improved the growth of seashore paspalum and Tifway bermudagrass during this period compared to the control, with a greater improvement observed when using ferrous sulphate and humic acid compared to silicon. For seashore paspalum, the highest chlorophyll content in April was recorded after the application of ferrous sulphate at a level of 1000 ppm. The current research indicates that when grown on salt-affected soils, these amendments can be used in warm-season grasses to maintain turf quality during cold periods of the year. Further research is needed to examine any negative long-term effects of these amendments and to explain their mechanisms.

Seaweed Extract-based Biostimulant Impacts on Nitrate Reductase Activity and Root Viability of Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Subjected to Heat and Drought Stress

Bermudagrass is a warm-season turfgrass species widely used for sports fields, home lawns, and golf courses. Ultradwarf bermudagrass has been used for golf course greens, but its quality declines with abiotic stresses. This 2-year study was designed to investigate if foliar applications of seaweed extract-based biostimulant Utilize® could improve ultradwarf bermudagrass photosynthetic function, nitrate reductase activity, root growth, and root function while under heat stress and drought stress conditions. Utilize® was applied to ultradwarf bermudagrass canopy at 0, 88, 117, 175, and 234 μL⋅m−2. Two weeks after the initial application of Utilize®, bermudagrass was subjected to heat (40/36 °C, day/night) and drought stress (40–50% evapotranspiration replacement) for up to 42 days. Heat stress and drought stress caused decline of the turf quality. Foliar application of Utilize® at 117, 175, and 234 μL⋅m−2 biweekly consistently improved turf quality and leaf color ratings and increased leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, net photosynthetic rate, nitrate reductase activity, and root growth and viability. On average, Utilize® at 117, 175, and 234 μL⋅m−2 increased turf quality ratings by 9.1%, 12.1%, and 10.6%, respectively, net photosynthetic rates by 32.4%, 45.0%, and 35.0%, respectively, and nitrate reductase activity by 16.7%, 18.8%, and 14.6%, respectively, compared with the control. Utilize® at 117, 175, and 234 μL⋅m−2 increased the root biomass, root length, surface area, and root volume compared with the control. Utilize® at 88, 117, 175, and 234 μL⋅m−2 increased root viability by 46.2%, 73.1%, 88.5%, and 74.4%, respectively, relative to the control. The results of this study suggest that seaweed extract-based biostimulant Utilize® improves nitrogen metabolism, photosynthetic function, root growth, and root viability. Foliar application of Utilize® at rates between 117 and 175 μL⋅m−2 biweekly can be considered an effective approach to improving ultradwarf bermudagrass performance under heat stress and drought stress environments.

Carbon Sequestration in Turfgrass-Soil Systems.

Plants are key components of the terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. Atmospheric CO2 is assimilated through photosynthesis and stored in plant biomass and in the soil. The use of turfgrass is expanding due to the increasing human population and urbanization. In this review, we summarize recent carbon sequestration research in turfgrass and compare turfgrass systems to other plant systems. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in turfgrass systems is comparable to that in other natural and agricultural systems. Turfgrass systems are generally carbon-neutral or carbon sinks, with the exception of intensively managed areas, such as golf course greens and athletic fields. Turfgrass used in other areas, such as golf course fairways and roughs, parks, and home lawns, has the potential to contribute to carbon sequestration if proper management practices are implemented. High management inputs can increase the biomass productivity of turfgrass but do not guarantee higher SOC compared to low management inputs. Additionally, choosing the appropriate turfgrass species that are well adapted to the local climate and tolerant to stresses can maximize CO2 assimilation and biomass productivity, although other factors, such as soil respiration, can considerably affect SOC. Future research is needed to document the complete carbon footprint, as well as to identify best management practices and appropriate turfgrass species to enhance carbon sequestration in turfgrass systems.

Using base index for selection of St. Augustinegrass breeding lines evaluated in multienvironment trials for turfgrass quality traits and stress tolerance in North Carolina

AbstractSt. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] is a warm‐season turfgrass primarily used for home lawns and commercial landscapes in the southern United States. New cultivars that possess desirable turfgrass quality (TQ) in combination with improved tolerance to diseases, drought and cold are needed to increase the sustainability of St. Augustinegrass production and maintenance in transitional zones. This study's objectives were to evaluate breeding lines in multienvironment trials across North Carolina to (a) assess relationships among economically important traits, and (b) select genotypes with stable performance across environments. Sixty‐one St. Augustinegrass genotypes and five commercial checks were established in replicated field trials at three locations across North Carolina. Entries were evaluated for rate of establishment, TQ, turfgrass stand density, genetic color, leaf texture, uniformity, winter survival, fall color, drought tolerance, and gray leaf spot resistance from 2017 to 2020. Best linear unbiased predictions were used to calculate a selection index to identify elite genotypes across traits. The 10 traits were clustered into three groups: winter survival and fall color; genetic color, leaf texture, and gray leaf spot resistance; and establishment rate, TQ, density, uniformity, and drought tolerance. Selection of the top 10 genotypes using the selection index resulted in positive estimated genetic gains for all 10 traits, indicating it is an effective method for simultaneous selection. Line XSA 14271 outperformed ‘Palmetto’, ‘Raleigh’, ‘Captiva’, and ‘Seville’, for several traits and was the top‐ranked line. It will be advanced to on‐farm trials to evaluate sod production traits to assess its potential for commercial release.

Landscape Irrigation and Water Conservation in Urban Areas: An Analysis of Information-based Strategies

Outdoor water use, especially for lawn and landscaping irrigation, accounts for a substantial proportion of residential water use and often peaks during summer months. Understanding how to reduce outdoor water use can play a critical role in balancing the increasing demand for and subsequent protection of water resources. This study aims to find out if information-based strategies can be effective in reducing homeowners’ water use as well as identifying the key determinants that can enhance water conservation campaigns. Using online survey data from 2077 randomly selected urban homeowners with home lawns in a relatively water-rich state, we found that social norm-based information is generally more effective to promote household water conservation behavior than education information. Moreover, the results showed that the households’ water-saving actions, lawn watering knowledge, awareness for local water scarcity, attitudes toward water conservation, socio-demographics, and landscape characteristics all play a role in determining household water conservation intention.

Effect of topdressing of compost, compost tea, and various fertilizers on soil and lawn characteristics

AbstractMany cities in the United States collect and compost yard waste but need more effective and efficient ways to utilize the finished product. Home lawns represent a sizeable area that could benefit from land application of yard waste compost, but little research has been conducted regarding topdressing lawns with compost. The objectives of this study were to compare the impact of topdressing yard waste compost relative to organic and inorganic fertilizers in a mature, predominantly Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) lawn in Wisconsin. Three different composts (two from yard waste and one from food waste), two organic fertilizers, and a compost–compost tea combination were compared against a traditional synthetic fertilization program and a nontreated control. Treatments receiving compost (1.3 cm depth per year, in two equally sized applications) maintained acceptable turf quality over the 3.5‐yr study period and resulted in significant improvements in several important physical properties of the soil. Fertilizers were also able to maintain acceptable turfgrass quality but had no impact on the physical properties of soil over the study period relative to the control. Organic and synthetic fertilizers reduced weed populations compared with the control, though the compost treatments did not. Compost and one of the organic fertilizers significantly increased the levels of soil test P but did not reach levels of environmental concern.

Compost topdressing to suppress necrotic ringspot and improve the overall health of Kentucky bluegrass lawns

AbstractA study was conducted in northern Colorado to evaluate the effectiveness of two compost products on the improvement of turfgrass color and quality, necrotic ringspot (NRS) disease suppression, and thatch reduction. Two Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) home lawns with a history of NRS were chosen for the study. Treatments were applied twice during the 2018 growing season after all plots were aerated and consisted of (a) inoculated compost topdressing at a rate of 66 m3 ha–1, (b) dairy manure compost topdressing at a rate of 66 m3 ha–1, (c) urea fertilizer at 49 kg N ha–1, and (d) a control (aeration only with no fertilizer or compost applied). Data were collected every 2 wk from May to October in 2018, and included the percentage of disease‐affected turf, and turfgrass color and quality. Thatch depth was measured monthly. The inoculated and conventional compost plots had less disease than the control, and the inoculated compost showed significant disease suppression earlier than conventional compost. Season‐long averages showed that the plots treated with either of the compost products had better color and turf quality than the control. When data were pooled over the course of the growing season, there were no significant differences between the two compost treatments with regard to NRS disease severity or quality. Thatch depth in plots that received inoculated compost was 17% less than in plots that received conventional compost and fertilizer. This study demonstrated that compost decreased NRS incidence and improved turf color and quality.

Best Management Practices for Irrigating Lawns and Urban Green Spaces with Reclaimed Water

The purpose of this article is to present some sound recommendations, known as best management practices (BMPs), for irrigating lawns and other green spaces with reclaimed water (RW). These BMPs are for homeowners and landscaping professionals who use RW to irrigate home lawns or other irrigated green spaces in urban landscapes. Written by Mary G. Lusk and Don Rainey and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences; 4 pages.

Presence of pollinator‐friendly habitat on pollinator communities in managed turfgrass systems

AbstractInsect pollinator community dynamics in established turfgrass systems is a topic of continuing study. This research examines pollinator abundance and diversity in two turfgrass environments (golf courses and home lawns) and whether populations are affected by the establishment of pollinator‐friendly habitat. Sites adjacent to managed green spaces were selected based on site suitability for management and monitored monthly from July through October 2018 for insect pollinators using a combination of sweep netting and pan traps prior to habitat establishment. Insect sampling was repeated in 2019 post‐establishment. Wildflower presence increased bee abundance but did not impact species richness.

Evaluating the freeze tolerance of bermudagrass genotypes

AbstractBermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) are commonly used in golf courses, athletic fields, and home lawns in the transitional climatic region of the United States. Winterkill, however, is a major concern for bermudagrasses grown in this region. Controlled environment testing is a reliable method to evaluate freeze tolerance contributing to the selection of freeze tolerant genotypes. Therefore, this study was designed to test the freeze tolerance of two elite experimental genotypes, OKC1873 and OKC1406, along with two industry standards (‘Tifway’ and ‘Tahoma 31’), by exposing them to various freeze temperatures (−4 to −14 ℃) in a controlled environment. The freezing test was replicated in time, and the mean lethal temperature to kill 50% of the population (LT50) for each genotype was determined. Tifway (freeze‐sensitive standard) had an LT50 value of −7.0 ℃. The genotype OKC1873 (−7.2 ℃), was in the same statistical group as Tifway. Tahoma 31 was the best‐performing genotype with the lowest LT50 value of −9.1 ℃. The genotype OKC1406 (−8.8 ℃) was in the same statistical group as Tahoma 31. Top‐performing experimental genotypes will move on for further screening in replicated field trials for future consideration for commercial release based on qualities such as improved freeze tolerance, desirable turfgrass quality, and sufficient disease resistance.

Factors Influencing Home Lawn Fertilizer Choice in the United States

Home lawn fertilizer use throughout the United States is coming under increased scrutiny due to potential negative environmental impacts. A better understanding of how consumer perceptions and socio-demographics impact their choices of types of lawn fertilizers can aid industry stakeholders when marketing products. This research uses a nationwide survey to evaluate factors that impact respondents’ choice of lawn fertilizer brands. Respondents with home lawns selected the lawn fertilizer brands they purchased the most frequently and rated the importance of various fertilizer attributes (e.g., nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium ratio, brand, price, etc.) when selecting lawn fertilizers. Given many lawn fertilizer brands share commonalities, respondents’ answers were grouped into five categories: most popular brand, primarily turf brands, sustainable/organic brands, other brands, and “I don’t remember the brand.” The most popular brand of fertilizer was chosen by 69% of respondents, with the primarily turf brands and other fertilizers being chosen by 25% and 23% of respondents, respectively. This study finds that brand selection is impacted by important fertilizer features, frequented retail outlets, geographical region of residence, and demographic variables. For example, brand importance and purchasing from mass merchandisers or wholesale clubs increased respondents’ selection likelihood of the most popular brand by 6.9% and 20.5% points, respectively. Marketing implications are discussed.

Water Savings and Return on Investment of a New Drought Resistant Turfgrass

Abstract Bermudagrass is a commonly used turfgrass for home lawns and sports fields. Given increasing pressure to conserve water throughout the U.S., there is a desire by many homeowners to incorporate more drought-tolerant turfgrasses into their landscape. ‘TifTuf' is a new cultivar of bermudagrass that has increased drought tolerance compared to similar cultivars. ‘TifTuf' is currently sold at a premium price compared to other bermudagrass cultivars. However, there is currently no information regarding the payback period and potential water savings for ‘TifTuf'. In this study, we developed a model to evaluate potential cost savings for ‘TifTuf' relative to a conventional bermudagrass. We found cost and water savings are highly dependent on geographic location and water rates. Within the Southeast, the average water savings per year is 12.88 cm with water cost savings around $799 per 0.41 ha. Payback period for a new lawn in the Southeast (recoup only the $0.05 per 0.09 m2 premium) is around 3-4 years, while a payback period for a replacement lawn (recoup the full cost of the lawn, $0.36 per 0.09 m2) is around 21 years. In the Southwest, the water savings and cost savings are higher, implying a shorter payback period. Index words: bermudagrass, ‘TifTuf', drought tolerance. Species used in this study: Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis: DT-1 ‘TifTuf'.

Mechanisms of Environmental Stress Tolerance in Turfgrass

Turfgrasses constitute a vital part of the landscape ecological systems for sports fields, golf courses, home lawns and parks. However, turfgrass species are affected by numerous abiotic stresses include salinity, heat, cold, drought, waterlogging and heavy metals and biotic stresses such as diseases and pests. Harsh environmental conditions may result in growth inhibition, damage in cell structure and metabolic dysfunction. Hence, to survive the capricious environment, turfgrass species have evolved various adaptive strategies. For example, they can expel phytotoxic matters; increase activities of stress response related enzymes and regulate expression of the genes. Simultaneously, some phytohormones and signal molecules can be exploited to improve the stress tolerance in turfgrass. Generally, the mechanisms of the adaptive strategies are integrated but not necessarily the same. Recently, metabolomic, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses have revealed plenty of stress response related metabolites, proteins and genes in turfgrass. Therefore, the regulation mechanism of turfgrass’s response to abiotic and biotic stresses was further understood. However, the specific or broad-spectrum related genes that may improve stress tolerance remain to be further identified. Understanding stress response in turfgrass species will contribute to improve stress tolerance of turfgrass.