Lack of Competitive Success of an Intraseeded Creeping Bentgrass Cultivar into an Established Putting Green

Abstract

several months during establishment. The financial loss due to the lack of play is significant to the golf club. Intraseeding is a popular approach for converting established golfIntraseeding is an alternative approach to establishcourse putting greens to a more desirable cultivar of the same species ment of a new turfgrass stand. The concept of intraseedwithout killing the existing turf. This study was conducted to determine the competitive success of an intraseeded creeping bentgrass (Agrostis ing is to slowly introduce, with minimal disturbance to palustris Huds.) cultivar in an established putting green using random the existing turf, a new creeping bentgrass cultivar into amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Two replicate, United an established stand of creeping bentgrass. Procedures States Golf Association (USGA) specification greens, established with for intraseeding are similar to those for winter overseed-'Penncross' creeping bentgrass, were arranged in a randomized coming of common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) plete block design with five conversion treatments as follows: control, Pers.] with a cool-season turfgrass, such as perennial scalping, coring, a trinexapac-ethyl application, and a glyphosate appliryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) The difference between cation. Vertical mowing and topdressing were followed by subsequent winter overseeding and intraseeding are significant. Exseeding with 'Penn G-2' creeping bentgrass (G-2) in two directions at 12.2 kg seed ha Ϫ1 . Treatments were performed in October 1998, ploiting adaptive differences between bermudagrass April 1999, and September 1999. Pretreatment samples taken from and perennial ryegrass can favor one species more than each plot on 22 Sept. 1998 and posttreatment samples taken on 28 the other. Intraseeding creeping bentgrass into an exist-May 1999 and 24 Mar. 2000 were evaluated for changes in population ing stand, however, results in competition between indynamics using RAPD markers. By the end of the study, both glyphodividuals of the same species with few adaptive difsate-treated plots had completely shifted to G-2, while plots subjected ferences. to other treatments showed no evidence of the cultivar. The detection Factors that influence intraseeding include priority of of G-2 in samples collected on 28 May 1999 suggested that a transient emergence and gap size. Priority of emergence becomes change occurred in the scalp (Exp. 2) treatment; however, evidence an important factor in intraspecific competition. Mortalof G-2 was no longer evident on 24 Mar. 2000. Data indicated that the effectiveness of the intraseeding techniques and timings used in ity and overall growth of a population is greatly influthis study to convert putting greens to a new cultivar were quite enced by quicker developing individuals (Smoliak and limited. This may have been due to unsuccessful elimination of root

Seeded Zoysiagrass Establishment in a Perennial Ryegrass Sward

“…Efforts to convert ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis palustris Huds.) putting greens to the cultivar G‐2 were futile unless glyphosate was employed (Kendrick and Danneberger, 2002). Establishing Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) seedlings in a mature stand of perennial ryegrass was unsuccessful unless a high seeding rate (196 kg ha −1 ) was employed in combination with suppressing the perennial ryegrass by scalping the first few weeks after seeding (Kraft et al, 2004).…”

Conversion of Kentucky Bluegrass Rough to No-Mow, Low-Input Grasses

“…Converting from Kentucky bluegrass to no-mow, low-input grass requires conversion methods that allow for adequate turfgrass establishment and provide long-term success. Methods for turfgrass conversion that have been used in the golf course industry include the use of non-selective herbicides and fumigants, tillage or sod removal, and interseeding (13,14,15,18).…”

Competitive ability of creeping bentgrass cultivars and their potential for renovating existing putting greens through interseeding

“…Attempts at shifting the population of putting greens and other turf areas via interseeding have been tried in the past and there is clear disagreement between academia and industry concerning the success of this conversion technique. A number of individuals within academia contend the process is without merit Cattani and Nowak, 2001; Kendrick and Danneberger, 2005;Rossi, 1999;Kendrick and Danneberger, 2002;). Yet, many researchers from industry and turfgrass practitioners claim to find value in the practice (Brilman, 2009;Miller, 2004;Ross, 2006;Brede, 2006;Brede, 2007).…”

“…were able to convert 35% of a perennial ryegrass sward to creeping bentgrass over a three year period, while seeding into a polystand of annual bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass resulted in no more than 3% creeping bentgrass. Kendrick and Danneberger (2002) and Dant et al (2005) indicated that the effectiveness of the intraseeding techniques was quite limited unless competition from the existing turf was removed. Cattani and Nowak (2001) found that establishment of L-93 in an existing sward of Penncross was only successful when the overall condition of the existing turf was compromised to the extent that it would be unplayable.…”

“…A myriad of cultural factors designed to harm the existing turf and provide a competitive advantage to the seedlings is often employed. Varying irrigation and fertility regimes , scalping the existing canopy (Kendrick and Danneberger, 2002), applying mechanical disruption, (Engelke and Kenworthy, 2001) and applying plant growth regulators Bowman, 1997) have all been utilized in past studies. While some of these cultural practices have shown promise, applying too much stress may result in unrecoverable damage to the turf, and the area will need to be taken out of play in order to allow time for recovery.…”