Tall Fescue Performance under Low Maintenance Conditions in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Test

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Tall Fescue Test was planted in 2018 at the Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Center, Olathe, KS. Differences have been observed among entries maintained under low maintenance conditions

Growth Responses of Zoysia spp. under Tree Shade in the Midwestern United States

‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steudel) is commonly planted on home lawns and golf courses in the transition zone; however, poor shade tolerance limits its widespread use. This study was conducted to determine changes and differences in growth among selected Zoysia cultivars and progeny under a natural shade environment over a 3-year period in the transition zone. The study was initiated in June 2010 at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center in Manhattan, KS. Soil type was a Chase silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Aquic, Argiudoll). Zoysia genotypes were sodded in 0.37-m2 plots and arranged in a randomized complete block with five replications under silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) shade that resulted in a 91% reduction in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Genotypes included ‘Zorro’ [Z. matrella (L.) Merrill], ‘Emerald’ [Z. japonica × Z. pacifica (Goudswaard) Hotta & Kuroki], ‘Meyer’, Chinese Common (Z. japonica), and experimental progeny Exp1 (Z. matrella × Z. japonica), and Exp2 and Exp3 [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica]. ‘Zorro’ and ‘Emerald’ experienced winter injury, which negatively affected their performance. Tiller numbers decreased 47% in ‘Meyer’ from June 2010 to June 2012, but declines in [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica] progeny were only 1% for Exp2 and 27% for Exp3, and both Exp2 and Exp3 maintained high percent green cover throughout the study. In general, by the third year of evaluation, progeny of [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica] had higher quality ratings and higher tiller numbers than ‘Meyer’ and may provide more shade-tolerant cultivar choices for transition zone turf managers

Aerification Effects on ‘Innovation’ Zoysiagrass in 2020-2021

When a thatch layer accumulates on turfgrass it can be detrimental to the stand. A field experiment was initiated to investigate aerification treatments and their influence on thatch (organic matter level), quality, and color of ‘Innovation’ zoysiagrass that was sodded within the past year. Turfgrass that was intensely aerified had less organic matter content in the surface inch of the profile compared to turfgrass that was not aerified. Color was also enhanced in treatments receiving aerification compared to non-aerified turf, which may have been attributed to trending of higher nitrate content in aerified plots

Herbicide Effects on Establishment of Zoysiagrass from Sprigs in Two Consecutive Years

Weed control after planting warm-season grasses in the spring can be critical for acceptable establishment of the stand. However, many herbicide labels can be unclear on sprigging restrictions before or after the application of a product. Research was conducted on the growth effects of pre- and postemergence herbicides applied at or near the day of ‘Innovation’ zoysiagrass sprigging. Preliminary data from this study showed granular (Ronstar G) and liquid (Ronstar Flo) formulations of oxadiazon caused the least amount of injury to zoysiagrass

Effects of Glyphosate Applied at Different Times on Dormant Zoysiagrass Cultivars in the Transition Zone

Winter annual weeds become a major problem during winter dormancy in warm-season turfgrass stands. In the transition zone, a winter glyphosate application is a common practice to reduce winter annual weed competition in zoysiagrass before emerging from dormancy in the spring. Research was conducted on the effects of glyphosate application timings on spring greenup and quality of experimental zoysiagrass genotypes compared to commercially available cultivars. Preliminary data from this study revealed a quicker spring greenup when glyphosate was applied in November compared to March. However, March-applied glyphosate significantly reduced cool-season weeds in experimental plots and enhanced quality compared to the nontreated control

Identifying Herbicides for Use During Zoysiagrass Sprigging

Weed control after planting warm-season grasses in the spring can be critical for acceptable establishment of the stand. However, many herbicide labels can be unclear on sprigging restrictions before or after the application of a product. Research was conducted on the growth effects of pre- and postemergence herbicides applied at or near the day of ‘Innovation’ zoysiagrass sprigging. Preliminary data from this study shows granular (Ronstar G) and liquid (Ronstar Flo) formulations of oxadiazon caused the least amount of injury to zoysiagrass

Aerification Effects on ‘Innovation’ Zoysiagrass in 2020–2022

When a thatch layer accumulates on turfgrass it can be detrimental to the stand. A field experiment was initiated to investigate aerification treatments and their influence on thatch (organic matter level), quality, and color of ‘Innovation’ zoysiagrass that was sodded within the past year. Turfgrass that was intensely aerified had less organic matter content in the surface inch of the profile compared to turfgrass that was not aerified. Color was also enhanced in treatments receiving aerification compared to non-aerified turf, which may have been attributed to the trending higher nitrate content in aerified plots. Moderately aerified turf significantly increased rooting from 0 to 9 cm below the soil profile compared to non-aerified turf

2021 Creeping Bentgrass Putting Green National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Trial

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is the most common cool-season grass used for putting surfaces in Kansas and other temperate regions of the world. Fine-textured and high-density cultivars (‘Penn A-1’, ‘Penn A-2’, and ‘Penn A-4’) released in the late 1990s are widely accepted throughout the transition zone. However, new cultivars with attractive characteristics continue to be selected, evaluated, and introduced to determine their long-term suitability for Kansas

Comparing Zoysia Experimental Genotypes Developed by Kansas State University, Texas A&M, and Purdue to Meyer in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Test

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) Zoysia Test was planted in 2019 at the Kansas State University Olathe Horticulture Center, Olathe, KS. Since planting, three experimental genotypes developed at Kansas State University (with cooperators noted below) have outperformed ‘Meyer’ in establishment rate, turf quality, drought tolerance, and fall color. Earlier research has demonstrated large patch tolerance in all three experimental genotypes

Lawn-watering perceptions and behaviors of residential homeowners in three Kansas (USA) cities: implications for water quantity and quality

Urbanization is increasing the land area covered with turfgrasses, which may have implications for water quantity and quality. The largest sector of turfgrass is residential lawns. Our objectives were to survey residential homeowners in three Kansas cities about their perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors when irrigating their lawns; each city has distinctive water quantity and quality issues. Surveys were mailed to 15,500 homeowners in Wichita, 10,000 in Olathe, and 5,000 in Salina; the return rate was 11-13%. Wichita residents watered more frequently than Olathe and Salina, possibly because of greater evaporative demand than Olathe, and cheaper water and less concern about water shortages than Salina; Salina and Wichita have similar evaporative demands but Salina had a recent water crisis. Salina homeowners were most concerned about keeping their water bill from getting too high, probably because of higher water costs than the other cities. Overall, 45-60% indicated it was moderately to very important their lawns looked green all the time, while 65-77% ranked water conservation at the same level of importance. Significantly, 61-63% did not know how much water their lawns required and 71-77% did not know how much water they applied to their lawns when they irrigated. About 7-9% swept or blew clippings or lawn-care products directly into streets or storm drains, which run directly into local streams or reservoirs; 9% in Wichita is ~9,000 homeowners. The homeowner’s lawn irrigation knowledge and habits must be improved to help conserve water and protect water quality