East of Cascades

Revised Feb. 2008

In nature, annual bluegrass, Poa annua L. behaves as a true annual. It germinates in fall or spring when moisture is adequate and develops quickly, often flowering six to eight weeks after germination. In the Pacific Northwest we see it most commonly as a winter annual (Fig 1). After flowering and setting seed these annual types die typically from drought and leave dormant viable seed behind to germinate when moisture again becomes available. This efficiency in seed production makes annual bluegrass a major component of the seed bank of cultivated soils.

Introduction:

For as long as golf has been played in the Pacific Northwest creeping bentgrass has been planted on putting greens, first as a component of South German mixed bentgrass, and later as seeded or stolonized varieties. In recent years, intense breeding and selection work has resulted in a flood of new cultivars with widely varying characteristics and generally much improved surface quality. While early creeping bentgrasses quickly gave way to annual bluegrass, newer cultivars are much more competitive and may prove to be much more persistent.

Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.
(Formerly Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

Introduction:

Tall fescue is probably the most widely planted cool season grass in the world. This guide will cover botany, history, cultural requirements, and strengths and weaknesses of this fascinating grass.

Botanical Characteristics and Identification:

Festuca sp.

Introduction:

The fine fescues are composed of several different Festuca species and subspecies. All are fine textured compared to most other commonly planted turfgrasses. Fine fescues have long been used in mixtures with other grasses and are generally considered the standard for shade tolerance in cool season grasses. In recent years, the fine fescues have received attention as low input environmentally sustainable grasses. Most retail lawn mixtures contain at least some fine fescue.

Botanical Characteristics:

Lolium perenne L.

Introduction:

Poa pratensis L.

Introduction:

Preliminary Report

Objective

The primary objective of this trial is to determine whether repeated applications (2, 3, or 4) of Proxy (ethephon) or Proxy + Primo (trinexpac-ethyl) causes phytotoxicity to Providence creeping bentgrass maintained at putting green height. A secondary objective is to evaluate turf quality of putting green turf treated with Proxy, Proxy + Primo, or Trimmit (paclobutrazol) growth regulators. The Trimmit was applied at two rates alone and with additional fertilizer.

NTA Final Report June 9, 2009

Purpose

By using balanced NPK + micros applied at a low rate (3.25 lbs N/1,000 sq ft/yr) or a high rate (6.5 lbs N/1,000 sq ft/yr), we are trying to determine if total annual NPK with or without added calcium, sulfur, or humates has any measurable impact on putting green turf quality, Microdochium patch disease, anthracnose disease, and/or turf species composition.

Note:

The information presented below is in the form of a progress report and all data are considered preliminary.

Purpose:

Using balanced NPK + micros applied at a low rate (3.25 lbs N/1000 sq ft/ yr) or a high rate (6.5 lbs N/1000 sq ft/yr), we are trying to determine if total annual NPK with or without added Ca, S, or humates has any measurable impact on turf quality, Microdochium patch disease, Anthracnose disease, and/or turf species composition.

Methods:

Previous work reported by Crystal Fricker at Pure Seed Testing Inc. demonstrated that it is possible to develop tall fescues and fine fescues that have relatively good tolerance to low rates of glyphosate. This trial is part of an ongoing effort to evaluate tolerance of tall fescues and other grasses to glyphosate at rates that are effective in controlling annual bluegrass.