Fine fescues: A review of the species, their improvement, production, establishment, and management

Abstract

Fine fescues (Festuca L. spp.) comprise a group of five cool-season grasses used in turfgrass systems under many conditions: strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin), slender creeping red fescue [F. rubra L. ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier], Chewings fescue [F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin; syn. F. rubra L. ssp. fallax (Thuill.) Nyman], hard fescue (F. brevipila Tracey), and sheep fescue [F. ovina L.; syn. F. ovina L. ssp. hirtula (Hack. ex Travis) M.J. Wilk.]. Their extensive geographic distribution is a result of adaptation to many different environmental and management conditions especially low-input sites. This review summarizes the history, production, establishment, management, use, and availability of fine fescues; discusses strengths and shortcomings of fine fescue; identifies knowledge gaps; and provides an outlook toward further research on this group of grasses. Improved cultivars have been developed in recent years that expand the geographic distribution and uses of species but additional efforts to increase seed yield and improve abiotic and biotic stress tolerances are still needed. Expanded use of fine fescue could be achieved through increased sod production of fine fescue, though current research-based information is limited. Research on fine fescue allelopathy and the contributions of fungal endophytes, both of which could lead to reduced pesticide requirements is important for improved pest management. Future research on fine fescues should focus on implementation and management of new cultivars that possess enhanced abiotic and biotic stress tolerance that will result in fewer inputs and improve the appeal and adoption of these low-input grasses.

Establishment of low‐input turfgrass from seed with patch and repair mixtures: Mulch and starter fertilizer effects

“…At Oregon, shredded paper resulted in the slowest germination and emergence (12.6 d), whereas potting soil facilitated the fastest germination and emergence of fine fescue (Table 3). Overall, there were no clear trends across locations in the rate of seedling emergence among mulch ingredients and the number of days required until first seedling emergence ranged from 10 to 13 d in Indiana and 7 to 14 d in Oregon, which is consistent with past reports (5–12 d) (Braun et al., 2020). In comparison, Karcher and Baser (2002) reported no differences in the initial germination date of tall fescue with three mulch materials.…”

“…These commercial products predominantly contain turfgrass species such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue but little to no low‐input turfgrass species such as fine fescues (Table 1). For instance, an evaluation of products commercially available in 2019 determined the average seed mixture contained 2.2% of a fine fescue taxon, which is similar to the <1.5% fine fescue included in 2018 patch and repair products (Braun et al., 2020). As the demand to reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide inputs rises, there will be a need for more low‐input turfgrass options, such as fine fescues (Braun et al., 2020).…”

“…For instance, an evaluation of products commercially available in 2019 determined the average seed mixture contained 2.2% of a fine fescue taxon, which is similar to the <1.5% fine fescue included in 2018 patch and repair products (Braun et al., 2020). As the demand to reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide inputs rises, there will be a need for more low‐input turfgrass options, such as fine fescues (Braun et al., 2020). Public land managers and homeowners desire to manage land sustainably and are in favor of using low‐input turfgrasses.…”

Review of cool‐season turfgrasses for salt‐affected roadsides in cold climates

“…The fine-leaved fescues, or fine fescues, are a taxonomically complex group of taxa which are typically classified into one of two complexes known as the red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) complex and the sheep fescue (F. ovina L.) complex. This group of species has been thoroughly reviewed by Braun et al (2020) with regard to their taxonomy and use. The F. rubra L. sensu lato complex, native to Europe, has widespread distribution throughout Asia, North America, and Europe (Ruemmele, Wipff, Brilman, & Hignight, 2003 (Pavlick, 1985).…”

Exploring fine fescues as an option for low‐input golf greens in the north‐central USA

“…For instance, fine fescues (Festuca ssp. ), a group of lower-input turfgrasses (Braun, Patton, Watkins, Koch, Anderson, et al, 2020), have been previously shown to provide acceptable turfgrass quality and performance over more traditionally-used turfgrasses in multiple contexts including roadsides (Friell, Watkins, & Horgan, 2012), lawns (Hugie & Watkins, 2016), golf course fairways (Watkins, Hollman, & Horgan, 2010), and out-of-play golf course roughs (Cavanaugh, Watkins, Horgan, & Meyer, 2011). Colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L., CLB), an alternative bentgrass to CRB, has been tested extensively at greens height in northern Europe; Aamlid, Thorvaldsson, Enger, & Pettersen (2012) found its overall performance in trials managed at greens height in Norway and Iceland to be superior to CRB.…”