Lawn Turf Research Articles

Correlations between Two Alkali Extractable Amino‐Nitrogen Tests and Response to Organic Fertilizer in Turfgrass Soils

Core Ideas There are limited data to determine if the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Solvita Labile Amino Nitrogen test are correlated. Across a 6‐yr study, Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Solvita Labile Amino Nitrogen were significantly and positively correlated. Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Solvita Labile Amino Nitrogen concentrations increased linearly across organic fertilizer rates. Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test concentrations increased at a greater rate than Solvita Labile Amino Nitrogen concentrations. The Solvita Labile Amino Nitrogen test may offer an easy and rapid soil analysis to guide N fertilization. The Illinois soil nitrogen (N) test (ISNT) and the Solvita Labile Amino‐Nitrogen (SLAN) test are chemical analyses that estimate the concentrations of soil labile N. The SLAN uses the same reagent as the ISNT but is a relatively new test with limited field data available. This study was conducted across 6 yr (2008–2013) to determine if concentrations of SLAN–N and ISNT–N are correlated in soils under predominantly Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] lawn turf and to compare the response of SLAN–N and ISNT–N concentrations in relation to varying organic fertilizer rates. Separate randomized complete block field experiments were established in Connecticut on the two species with varying rates of an organic fertilizer to create a wide range of labile soil N concentrations. Soil samples were collected in the spring of each year and analyzed for concentrations of ISNT–N and SLAN–N. For all years and each species, and for pooled years and species, SLAN–N concentrations were positively and significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with ISNT–N concentrations. Correlations were strongest (r > 0.80) at Year 6 of the study. Furthermore, SLAN–N and ISNT–N concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.05) in response to organic fertilizer rate, but the rate of change was greater for ISNT–N. The data suggest that the SLAN test is generally well correlated with the ISNT and may offer an easy and rapid soil analysis to guide N fertilization.

Climate and lawn management interact to control C4 plant distribution in residential lawns across seven U.S. cities.

In natural grasslands, C4 plant dominance increases with growing season temperatures and reflects distinct differences in plant growth rates and water use efficiencies of C3 vs. C4 photosynthetic pathways. However, in lawns, management decisions influence interactions between planted turfgrass and weed species, leading to some uncertainty about the degree of human vs. climatic controls on lawn species distributions. We measured herbaceous plant carbon isotope ratios (δ13 C, index of C3 /C4 relative abundance) and C4 cover in residential lawns across seven U.S. cities to determine how climate, lawn plant management, or interactions between climate and plant management influenced C4 lawn cover. We also calculated theoretical C4 carbon gain predicted by a plant physiological model as an index of expected C4 cover due to growing season climatic conditions in each city. Contrary to theoretical predictions, plant δ13 C and C4 cover in urban lawns were more strongly related to mean annual temperature than to growing season temperature. Wintertime temperatures influenced the distribution of C4 lawn turf plants, contrary to natural ecosystems where growing season temperatures primarily drive C4 distributions. C4 cover in lawns was greatest in the three warmest cities, due to an interaction between climate and homeowner plant management (e.g., planting C4 turf species) in these cities. The proportion of C4 lawn species was similar to the proportion of C4 species in the regional grass flora. However, the majority of C4 species were nonnative turf grasses, and not of regional origin. While temperature was a strong control on lawn species composition across the United States, cities differed as to whether these patterns were driven by cultivated lawn grasses vs. weedy species. In some cities, biotic interactions with weedy plants appeared to dominate, while in other cities, C4 plants were predominantly imported and cultivated. Elevated CO2 and temperature in cities can influence C3 /C4 competitive outcomes; however, this study provides evidence that climate and plant management dynamics influence biogeography and ecology of C3 /C4 plants in lawns. Their differing water and nutrient use efficiency may have substantial impacts on carbon, water, energy, and nutrient budgets across cities.

Normalized Difference Vegetative Index Response of Nonirrigated Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue Lawn Turf Receiving Seaweed Extracts

Turf managers are continually seeking improved grasses, management practices, and products that enhance heat and drought tolerance and reduce supplemental irrigation needs. To this end, products like seaweed extract (SWE) have been extensively studied on short-cut (≤12 mm) golf turf and seedlings of various turfgrass species exposed to stress conditions. Few studies, however, have reported SWE effects on mature, higher cut (≥38 mm) cool-season turfgrass swards. A 3-year field study (2013–15) was conducted in Connecticut to determine the effect of various SWE treatments on the normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) response of nonirrigated kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) turf managed as a lawn and cut at 76.2 mm. Separate experiments for each species were set out as randomized complete block designs with three replicates. Throughout the growing season in each year, various liquid SWEs were applied at a concentration of 9.55 L·ha−1 weekly or 19.1 L·ha−1 biweekly. A nontreated control was included. The study lacked extreme heat stress conditions during the yearly growing seasons, but periodic moisture deficits below normal were present. Within each year, there were no significant SWE effects on the NDVI of either species. The results suggest that there is no improvement in the NDVI by applying SWEs to mature, higher cut cool-season turfgrass lawns under less than extreme heat-stress conditions, water-stress conditions, or both. Because this study was conducted only at one site without extreme stress, further research of SWE applications to established, higher cut cool-season turfgrass lawns should be conducted across different locations and soils to determine the effects of applying SWE to these stands under extreme heat-stress conditions, water-stress conditions, or both.

Curative Control of Hairy Chinch Bugs in Lawn Turf, 2013: Table 1

This study was conducted to evaluate various insecticides for curative control of HCB compared with industry standards. The test was conducted in a home lawn located in Centerville, Ohio. Treatments were applied 11 Jul to plots 5 × 5 ft arranged in a RCB design, with three replicates and no separation between plots. Liquid insecticide applications were made using a 3-ft wide CO2 pressurized sprayer with TeeJet 8004 nozzles at 20 psi calibrated to deliver 2.0 gal/1000 ft2. Granular insecticide applications were made …

Closure to “Interactive Irrigation Tool for Simulating Smart Irrigation Technologies in Lawn Turf” by N. A. Dobbs, K. W. Migliaccio, M. D. Dukes, K. T. Morgan, and Y. C. Li

Kati W. Migliaccio, P.E.; Michael D. Dukes, P.E.; Nicole A. Dobbs; Kelly T. Morgan; and Yuncong Li Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept., Univ. of Florida, 18905 SW 280th St., Homestead, FL 33031 (corresponding author). E-mail: klwhite@ufl.edu Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept., Univ. of Florida, P.O. Box 110570, Gainesville, FL 32611-0570. E-mail: mddukes@ ufl.edu Graduate Student, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept., North Carolina State Univ., Campus Box 7625, Raleigh, NC 27695. E-mail: nadobbs@ncsu.edu Associate Professor, Soil and Water Science Dept., Univ. of Florida, 2685 State Rd. 29 North, Immokalee, FL 34142. E-mail: conserve@ufl.edu Professor, Soil and Water Science Dept., Univ. of Florida, 18905 SW 280th St., Homestead, FL 33031. E-mail: yunli@ufl.edu

Discussion of “Interactive Irrigation Tool for Simulating Smart Irrigation Technologies in Lawn Turf” by N. A. Dobbs, K. W. Migliaccio, M. D. Dukes, K. T. Morgan, and Y. C. Li

Discussion of “Interactive Irrigation Tool for Simulating Smart Irrigation Technologies in Lawn Turf” by N. A. Dobbs, K. W. Migliaccio, M. D. Dukes, K. T. Morgan, and Y. C. Li

Conservation Biological Control and Pest Performance in Lawn Turf: Does Mowing Height Matter?

With >80million United States households engaged in lawn and gardening activities, increasing sustainability of lawn care is important. Mowing height is an easily manipulated aspect of lawn management. We tested the hypothesis that elevated mowing of tall fescue lawn grass promotes a larger, more diverse community of arthropod natural enemies which in turn provides stronger biological control services, and the corollary hypothesis that doing so also renders the turf itself less suitable for growth of insect pests. Turf-type tall fescue was mowed low (6.4cm) or high (10.2cm) for two growing seasons, natural enemy populations were assessed by vacuum sampling, pitfall traps, and ant baits, and predation and parasitism were evaluated with sentinel prey caterpillars, grubs, and eggs. In addition, foliage-feeding caterpillars and root-feeding scarab grubs were confined in the turf to evaluate their performance. Although some predatory groups (e.g., rove beetles and spiders) were more abundant in high-mowed grass, predation rates were uniformly high because ants, the dominant predators, were similarly abundant regardless of mowing height. Lower canopy temperatures in high-mowed grass were associated with slower growth of grass-feeding caterpillars. Higher lawn mowing reduces fuel consumption and yard waste, and promotes a deep, robust root system that reduces need for water and chemical inputs. Although in this study elevated mowing height did not measurably increase the already-high levels of predation, it did suggest additional ways through which bottom-up effects on insect pest growth might interact with natural enemies to facilitate conservation biological control.

Study on Thermal Environment of Sports Field in Different Materials

Natural lawn and artificial turf, which have a great difference on practical function and thermal environment characteristics, are widely used in sports field. In order to obtain the quantitative differences on thermal environment in summer, instrumental measurement and questionnaires are used in this paper to investigate the thermal environmental characteristics of natural lawn and artificial turf, respectively. Meanwhile human thermal sensation in the two lawns was also evaluated. The results show that the foliar surface temperature and mean air temperature in artificial turf is significantly higher than that of natural lawn in early summer. Due to thermal discomfort and the potential hurt for athletes on artificial turf field, cooling methods such as sprinkle are recommended.

Interactive Irrigation Tool for Simulating Smart Irrigation Technologies in Lawn Turf

AbstractA simple model was developed to explore the effect of water saving technologies by simulating the soil water balance in a lawn turfgrass system based on site-specific soil characteristics, ...

2,4-D Rate Response, Absorption, and Translocation of Two Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Populations

Ground ivy is a stoloniferous, perennial weed that persists in lawn turf. With the widespread use of 2,4-D on turf sites, the development of 2,4-D–tolerant ground ivy is a possibility. Ground ivy populations showed a highly variable response to foliar 2,4-D application. Ground ivy from Nebraska (NE) was tolerant to 2,4-D, whereas Ohio (OH) ground ivy was susceptible. The 2,4-D–susceptible OH population absorbed 37% more foliar-applied14C–2,4-D than the 2,4-D–tolerant NE population. Although OH and NE populations total translocation of applied14C was similar and averaged 5%, the OH population translocated 42% more toward the apical meristem of the primary stolon than the NE population, primarily because of the OH population's higher14C–2,4-D absorption. The variation in response to 2,4-D found between these two populations occurred after exposure of roots to 2,4-D, but the effect was less pronounced. These results suggest that the difference in foliar uptake may partially contribute to differences in response to 2,4-D between these two populations. Likewise, differences in acropetal translocation may contribute to the differential sensitivity of 2,4-D–tolerant and –susceptible ground ivy populations.

Nitrogen fertilizer form and associated nitrate leaching from cool-season lawn turf.

Various N fertilizer sources are available for lawn turf. Few field studies, however, have determined the losses of nitrate (NO(3)-N) from lawns receiving different formulations of N fertilizers. The objectives of this study were to determine the differences in NO(3)-N leaching losses among various N fertilizer sources and to ascertain when losses were most likely to occur. The field experiment was set out in a completely random design on a turf typical of the lawns in southern New England. Treatments consisted of four fertilizer sources with fast- and slow-release N formulations: (i) ammonium nitrate (AN), (ii) polymer-coated sulfur-coated urea (PCSCU), (iii) organic product, and (iv) a nonfertilized control. The experiment was conducted across three years and fertilized to supply a total of 147 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). Percolate was collected with zero-tension lysimeters. Flow-weighted NO(3)-N concentrations were 4.6, 0.57, 0.31, and 0.18 mg L(-1) for AN, PCSCU, organic, and the control, respectively. After correcting for control losses, average annual NO(3)-N leaching losses as a percentage of N applied were 16.8% for AN, 1.7% for PCSCU, and 0.6% for organic. Results indicate that NO(3)-N leaching losses from lawn turf in southern New England occur primarily during the late fall through the early spring. To reduce the threat of NO(3)-N leaching losses, lawn turf fertilizers should be formulated with a larger percentage of slow-release N than soluble N.

Comparative Estimations of U.S. Home Lawn Area

Although turfgrass benefit assessment studies require information on the extent of residential turf, no nationwide surveys or other means of systematic data collection have yet been conducted to estimate total U.S. home lawn area. In an attempt to measure this statistic, two methods of estimating home lawn acreage by state have been employed. The first utilizes FHA average lot size data that have been inflated to conform to a national average lawn size derived from recent state turfgrass surveys. The second method is similar but employs FHA median lot size data reduced by an assumed percentage allotted to lawns. An upper limit to the nation's total lawn area based on total housing units and national media lot size is approximately 26 million acres. Through the study's two techniques, this figure has been adjusted downward, with the first method producing an approximate total of 18 million acres and the second 14 million acres of U.S. home lawn turf.

Growth Retardation of Bermudagrass with Metsulfuron Methyl and Sulfometuron Methyl1

AbstractOur primary objective was to determine optimum times and rates for applications of metsulfuron methyl (MSM) (methyl 2‐[(([(4‐methoxyd‐methyl‐l,3,5‐triazin‐2‐y1) amino] carbonyl) amino) sulfonyl] benzoate) and sulfometuron methyl (SMM) (methyl 2 [(([(4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐primidinyl) amino] carbonyl) amino) sulfonyl] benzoate) to reduce mowing requirement without adversely affecting the aesthetic value of the bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] turfgrass. Field studies were conducted on mature bermudagrass lawn turf grown on a Captina silt loam soil (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Typic Fragiudalt). Results of 1982 and 1983 experiments showed that MSM alone produced much less growth reduction than a combination of MSM and SMM. The combination at rates of 35 + 35 and 70 + 70 g ha−1 and higher produced good growth suppression for 6 to 8 weeks followed by a flush of growth, but excessive discoloration injury especially when repeated at 5‐week intervals. In 1984 the combination applied at 8.8 + 8.8 on 24 May, 17.5 + 17.5 on 28 June, and 35 + 35 on 2 August provided excellent growth retardation (70% mowing reduction) all season with only very slight injury. The influence of irrigation and N fertilization was minimal.

SALTOL, A SALT-TOLERANT RED FESCUE

Saltol, a native salt-tolerant selection of Festuca rubra L., is described. In the laboratory, it showed high tolerance to foliar road salt treatments. In the field it has been a good seed producer and provided a satisfactory lawn turf over a 5-yr test period.

Evaluation of Several Kentucky Bluegrass and Red Fescue Strains Maintained as Lawn Turf under Three Levels of Fertility1

AbstractTurfgrass performance of eight selections of Kentucky bluegrass and six red fescues under three levels of fertilization was studied from 1962 through 1964. Fertilizer treatments consisted of applications of a 10‐6‐4 grade at 4.88 kg/100 m2 in spring, in spring and fall, and in spring, summer and fall. Visual ratings of turf quality were made at approximately monthly intervals during the growing seasons.Quality of turf improved markedly, particularly with bluegrasses, with each additional fertilizer application. More than two annual applications did not greatly increase fescue quality, however. ‘Park,’ ‘Delta,’ and K‐5(47) Kentucky bluegrasses performed better than other bluegrass varieties when fertilized only once a year. K‐l(51) and K‐5(47) were clearly superior when three annual applications were made. Common Kentucky bluegrass gave inferior results at all fertility levels.Frequency of fertilizer application had little effect on the order of response among the fescues. ‘Jamestown’ (R.I. No. 6) was rated highest at each fertilizer level and ‘Pennlawn’ was second. ‘Rainier’ and creeping red gave the poorest response at each fertilizer level while ‘Chewings’ and ‘Illahee’ were intermediate.

Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilization of Turfgrass1

AbstractTwo experimental urea‐impregnated petroleum wax products and prilled urea with a petroleum‐based coating were evaluated as turfgrass fertilizers over a 2‐year period. They were compared with prilled urea, process tankage, and urea‐form. Applications were made to replicated plots of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)‐red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) lawn turf at rates equal to 0.9, 1.8, and 2.7 kg N per 92.9 m2 in June of 1964 and 1965. Visual turf score ratings were taken every 2 weeks through mid‐October of both years. During 1964 clipping weights were taken each week and the clippings were analyzed for N content. Percent recovery of applied N during a 21‐week period was determined.Based on turf quality, yield and N content of clippings, and efficiency of N usage, as measured in 1964, the experimental products were superior to the standard materials. One of the urea‐impregnated wax products, X‐419‐68, was superior to all other test products. Plots fertilized with this material, particularly at the heaviest rate, showed improved quality even 11 months after application. Although second‐year results were less dramatic, the experimental products performed well during 1965. Little difference was evident among the experimental materials and urea but they did provide better quality turf than was obtained with most rates of process tankage and all rates of urea‐form.

Results of Ureaform Fertilization on Lawn and Fairway Turf1

SynopsisData indicate that ureaform is an excellent source of slowly available nitrogen for lawn and turfgrass fertilization.

Some Observations upon the Biology and Control of Aserica Castanea Arrow1

This paper deals with the life history of Aserica Castanea and methods of control. The lawn turf should be treated with acid lead arsenate in order to secure grub proof turf. A spray of lead arsenate on the food plants of the adult beetle is proving effective. The introduction of parasites to aid in the control of the beetle has been started.

Virulence of desiccated tubercular sputum

In the spring of 1900 two plots of a superficial area of 44 sq. feet each were carefully partitioned off in the experiment house with close mesh-wire netting, and laid down with closely cropped lawn turf, which quickly grew into an even sward. On the 16th day of May following, the grass of these two plots having been cut as short as possible (not exceeding a length from the ground surface of one-quarter to one-half of an inch), the two plots were watered evenly with 4 gallons of water, in which had been incorporated 3 pints of disintegrated tubercular sputum from the Brompton Consumption Hospital, 2 gallons being distributed over the grass of each plot by means of an ordinary watering can with a rose spout.