ESTABLISHMENT OF BERMUDAGRASS AND ...archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/thesdiss/patton2003a.pdfNew cultivars...

ESTABLISHMENT OF

BERMUDAGRASS AND ZOYSIAGRASS

BY SEED

A Thesis

Submitted to the Faculty

of

Purdue University

by

Aaron J. Patton

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Degree

of

Master of Science

August 2003

ii

To Ella, thanks for your love, support and example.

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to the many individuals who have

helped and supported me during my studies. First, I would like to thank Dr. Zac Reicher for

recruiting me to come to Purdue University and teaching me a great deal about research, teaching

and extension. I have learned a great deal through his example. I would also like to thank the

other individuals in the turf group, including Don Fassnacht, Glenn Hardebeck, and Dan

Weisenberger for showing me the ropes. Thanks to Beverly Bratton for giving me a hard time. I

would also like to thank J.D. Cash, Kristi Walker, Eric Kohler and Kim Hooper for their

friendship and support.

I would like to thank my parents for their support to Ella and me during our graduate

studies. I thank Ella for the long hours she has spent editing my writing and for being the best

possible wife a husband could ask for. I would also like to thank God for his plan for me and

thank him for placing good people in my life. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens

another.” Proverbs 27:17

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................viii ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE - LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................................. 1

Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Establishment ............................................................................................................................ 3

Seeding date .............................................................................................................................. 5 Seeding rate ............................................................................................................................... 6 Herbicides.................................................................................................................................. 7 Fairway Renovation .................................................................................................................. 8 References ............................................................................................................................... 11

CHAPTER TWO - ESTABLISHMENT OF SEEDED BERMUDAGRASS AND ZOYSIAGRASS ..................................................................................................................... 17 Abstract ................................................................................................................................... 17 Materials and Methods ............................................................................................................ 19 Results and Discussion............................................................................................................ 21 References ............................................................................................................................... 25

CHAPTER THREE - TURFGRASS RENOVATION WITH SEEDED ZOYSIAGRASS IN THE TRANSITION ZONE................................................................... 33 Abstract ................................................................................................................................... 33 Materials and Methods ............................................................................................................ 37 Results and Discussion............................................................................................................ 39 References ............................................................................................................................... 43

CHAPTER FOUR - SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................................... 50 APPENDIX.................................................................................................................................... 52

v

LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Effects of seeding date on coverage of Mirage bermudagrass and Zenith zoysiagrass and

post seeding accumulated growing degree days........................................................... 27

2. Effects of seeding rate on winterkill of Mirage bermudagrass. ................................................. 28

3. Site and management information on four locations for the seeding rate and herbicide strategy studies. ............................................................................................................ 45

4. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on ‘Zenith’ zoysiagrass coverage in October following seeding. ....................................................................... 46

5. Effect of seed rate and herbicides applied after zoysiagrass seedling emergence on annual grassy weed coverage on 31 July...................................................................... 47

6. Effect of seed rate and herbicides applied after seedling emergence on ‘Zenith’ zoysiagrass coverage on 25 Oct (2 September for Richmond)..................................... 48

Appendix Table

1

7. Effects of seeding date and over-wintering on Mirage bermudagrass coverage when rated in October and May following seeding. .............................................................. 52

8. Effects of seeding date and over-wintering on Zenith zoysiagrass coverage when rated in October and May following seeding. ........................................................................... 53

9. Effects of seeding rate and over-wintering on percent coverage and tiller density of Zenith zoysiagrass rated and counted in October and May following seeding. ........... 54

10. Effects of seeding rate on Zenith zoysiagrass coverage in 2002. ............................................ 55

11. Effects of seeding rate on Zenith zoysiagrass digital analysis coverage in 2002. ................... 56

12. Effects of seeding rate on Zenith zoysiagrass tiller density in 2002........................................ 57

13. Effects of seeding rate on Mirage bermudagrass coverage in 2002......................................... 58

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Appendix Table Page

14. Effects of seeding rate on Mirage bermudagrass digital analysis coverage in 2002................ 59

15. Effects of seeding rate on Mirage bermudagrass tiller density in 2002. .................................. 60

16. Effect of herbicides and timing in the greenhouse on Zenith zoysiagrass seedling clipping dry weights. .................................................................................................... 61

17. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Mirage bermudagrass coverage 30 days after seeding..................................................................................... 62



20. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Mirage bermudagrass coverage in October following seeding. ....................................................................... 65

21. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Mirage bermudagrass grid count 30 days after seeding. .................................................................................. 66



24. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Mirage bermudagrass grid count in October following seeding. ..................................................................... 69

25. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Zenith zoysiagrass coverage 30 days after seeding..................................................................................... 70



28. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Zenith zoysiagrass grid count 30 days after seeding. ......................................................................................... 73



vii

Appendix Table Page

31. Effect of seed rate and glyphosate applied prior to seeding on Zenith zoysiagrass grid count in October following seeding.............................................................................. 76

32. Effect of seed rate and herbicides applied after seedling emergence on Zenith zoysiagrass coverage on 31 July................................................................................... 77

33. Effect of seed rate and herbicides applied after seedling emergence on Zenith zoysiagrass coverage on 2 September. ......................................................................... 78

34. Effect of seed rate and herbicides applied after seedling emergence on Zenith zoysiagrass grid coverage on 2 September................................................................... 79

35. Effect of seed rate and herbicides applied after seedling emergence on Zenith zoysiagrass grid coverage on 25 Oct (2 September for Richmond). ............................ 80

viii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page 1. Location of the transition climatic zone for turfgrass species in the United States. ................. 16

2. Effects of seeding date on the coverage of Mirage bermudagrass averaged over 2000 and 2001. Backtransformed means are presented and vertical bars indicate LSI (P=0.05)........................................................................................................................ 29

3. Effects of seeding date on coverage of Zenith zoysiagrass averaged over 2000 and 2001. Backtransformed means are presented and vertical bars indicate LSI (P=0.05)........................................................................................................................ 30

4. Effects of seeding rate on Mirage bermudagrass tiller density and backtransformed coverage averaged over 2001 and 2002. Vertical bars indicate LSD for tiller density and LSI for coverage (P=0.05). ....................................................................... 31

5. Effects of seeding rate on Zenith zoysiagrass tiller density and backtransformed coverage averaged over 2001 and 2002. Vertical bars indicate LSD for tiller density and LSI for coverage (P=0.05). ....................................................................... 32

6. Geographic location of 4 seeding rate and herbicide strategy studies. ..................................... 49

ix

ABSTRACT Patton, Aaron J. M.S, Purdue University, August 2003. Establishment of Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass by Seed. Major Professor: Zachary J. Reicher.

New cultivars of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Rich.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica

Steud.) established by seed are desirable for golf and athletic turfs due to minimum establishment

and maintenance costs. Little is known about establishing bermudagrass or zoysiagrass by seed

since they are relatively new. Our first objective was to determine optimum and acceptable

seeding dates and seeding rates with ‘Mirage’ bermudagrass and ‘Zenith’ zoysiagrass.

Bermudagrass coverage rated before dormancy was greatest when seeded as late as 1 Aug. 2000

and 15 July 2001 and zoysiagrass coverage was greatest when seeded from 1 to 15 June in both

years. Bermudagrass required >950 accumulated growing degree days (GDD, base 5 °C) for

maximum establishment, while zoysiagrass required >1750 accumulated GDD. There was no

clear relationship between winter survival and seeding date for zoysiagrass, and no seeded

bermudagrass survived either winter in Indiana. Seeding rates of 12 to 49 kg ha-1 and 49 to 98 kg

ha-1 were optimum for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass, respectively, in areas that were fumigated

prior to seeding.

Two additional studies were performed to determine methods that would hasten

renovation using seeded zoysiagrass. The effect of preemergence and postemergence herbicides

and seeding rates on the establishment of zoysiagrass were evaluated in Indiana and Kentucky on

golf courses areas that were not fumigated. In the first study, interseeding zoysiagrass into

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existing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) without the use of glyphosate prior to seeding

resulted in only 2% zoysiagrass coverage 120 days after seeding (DAS). However, zoysiagrass

coverage reached 100% by 120 DAS when using glyphosate prior to seeding. For weed control

after seeding, MSMA (monosodium methanearsonate) + dithiopyr (S,S-dimethyl 2-

(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(triflurormethyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarbothioate) applied 14

days after emergence (DAE) or MSMA applied at 14+28+42 DAE resulted in best annual grassy

weed control and the greatest amount of zoysiagrass establishment. Applying MSMA + dithiopyr

14 DAE resulted in 7% less zoysiagrass coverage at one of the four locations by when compared

to MSMA applied at 14+28+42 DAE. Seeding rate effects were significant at three of the four

locations. Zoysiagrass coverage at the end of the growing season was 3 to 11% more when

increasing seeding rates from 49 kg ha-1 to 98 kg ha-1.

From my research, optimum bermudagrass establishment occurs when seeding 1 June to

1 August at 12 to 49 kg ha-1, and when >950 GDD can accumulate by first frost. Optimum

zoysiagrass establishment occurs when seeding from 1 to 15 June, seeding 49 to 98 kg ha-1, and

when >1750 GDD can accumulate by first frost. Successful zoysiagrass renovation in the

transition zone is most dependent on adequate glyphosate control prior to seeding and

applications of MSMA at 14+28+42 DAE, but establishment is only marginally dependent on

seeding rates greater than 49 kg ha-1.

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CHAPTER ONE - LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

The United States is divided into four major climatic zones, which include the cool-

humid, cool-arid, warm-humid and warm-arid zones (Christians and Engelke, 1994; Beard and

the USGA, 2002). There is also a fifth region known in the turf industry as the transition zone

(Fig. 1), which is located between the cool-humid and the warm-humid regions. Both cool-

season and warm-season turfgrasses are present in the transition zone, but few turfgrass species

are well-adapted to this region.

Even though both cool-season and warm-season grasses grow in the transition zone, golf

courses primarily have cool-season grasses such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), Kentucky

bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) or perennial ryegrass

(Lolium perenne L.) for fairways. Golf course superintendents struggle to maintain cool-season

grasses during the summer because of disease pressure, water requirements, excessive heat, and

golfer traffic (Beard, 1973). Cool-season grasses decline in summer causing poor golfing

conditions in spite of countless hours and dollars spent to maintain acceptable playing surfaces.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Rich.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) may be

potential solutions to the high cost of maintaining cool-season grasses. Bermudagrass is

commonly referred to as common bermudagrass, couchgrass, wiregrass or devilgrass, and is an

introduced grass species to the United States (Hanson et al., 1969). Originating from Africa,

bermudagrass is a warm-season turfgrass species that is well-suited for golf course fairways, tees

and athletic fields. There are many species of bermudagrass, but Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon

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[L.] Pers. is the only turf-type bermudagrass specie that produces viable seed (Beard, 1973;

Taliaferro, 1995). Bermudagrass is well-suited for golf course fairways, tees and athletic fields.

When established, bermudagrass creates a vigorous, aggressive turf with high shoot densities

(Beard, 1973).

Zoysiagrass is commonly referred to as Japanese lawngrass or Korean lawngrass and is

an introduced grass species to the United States. The species was named after Austrian botanist

Karl von Zois and was introduced into the United States in the early 1900’s (McDonald and

Copeland, 1997). Originating from East Asia coastal areas, zoysiagrass is a warm-season

turfgrass species that is well-suited for golf course fairways, tees, and bunker faces. When

established, zoysiagrass creates a uniform, dense, low-growing, high-quality turf (Beard, 1973).

Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are adapted to the transition, warm-arid, and warm-humid

zones. In the transition zone, bermudagrass and zoysiagrass grow vigorously during summer

months, but are dormant during cool periods of the year. Zoysiagrass produces a dense, more

playable fairway surface during winter compared to bermudagrass. Winter hardiness of

bermudagrass is less than that of zoysiagrass (Turgeon, 2002; Rogers et al., 1977). Low

temperature death will seriously thin bermudagrass established in northern areas of the transition

zone every four to five years (Anonymous, 1960), often during the first winter after establishment

(Philley and Krans, 1998).

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Rich.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) both have

excellent disease, heat, drought and wear tolerance (Beard, 1973). Currently, the only major

disease that affects bermudagrass in the transition zone is spring dead spot (Leptosphaeria korrae

Walker and Smith; Ophiosphaerella spp. Walker and Smith) (Martin et al., 2001; Couch, 1995),

while zoysiagrass only suffers from Rhizoctonia large patch disease (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn)

(Green et al., 1993). Conversely, numerous diseases affect cool-season grasses in the transition

zone including anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) Wils.), dollar spot (Sclerotinia

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homoeocarpa F.T. Bennett), grey leaf spot (Pyricularia grisea (Cke.) Sacc.; telemorph

Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr), pythium (Pythium spp.), brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani

Kühn), pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale (Fr.) Samuels and Hallett), and summer patch

(Magnaporthe poae Landschoot & Jackson) (Couch, 1995). Disease susceptibility of cool-season

grasses increases maintenance costs and increases pesticide inputs into the environment.

Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass have excellent heat and drought tolerance compared to cool-

season grasses (Christians, 1998), resulting in reduced irrigation requirements and lower

maintenance costs (Biran et al., 1981). Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass also have high wear

tolerance during the summer (Youngner, 1961), and they have high growth rates when

temperatures are warm and golfer activity is highest (Unruh et al., 1996). In contrast, cool-season

grasses suffer from high temperature stress and physiological decline in the summer months when

golfer activity is highest (Beard, 1973).

Bermudagrass requires slightly higher maintenance than zoysiagrass (Beard, 1973).

Mowing heights of 1.3 cm to 2.5 cm are common for both species (Beard, 1973). Bermudagrass

requires more nitrogen per growing month compared to other warm-season species including

zoysiagrass, but both bermudagrass and zoysiagrass require less N yr-1 than cool-season grasses

in the transition zone (Beard, 1973).

Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass provide excellent playing surfaces for golfing and other

sports at a lower annual maintenance cost than cool-season grasses. Due to low maintenance

costs and reduced need for pesticides, many golf course managers are considering establishing

warm-season fairways in the transition zone.

Establishment

Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are commonly established vegetatively by sprigs or sod.

Sprigging and solid-sodding are expensive relative to seeding. For example, the cost of sprigging

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bermudagrass is estimated at approximately $2,500 ha-1 and solid sodding zoysiagrass may cost

$37,000 ha-1 or more. Although bermudagrass is commonly established by sprigging,

bermudagrass seed has been available for a number of years. The first available bermudagrass

that could be established by seed was discovered in Arizona and is commonly referred to as

“Arizona Common” (Taliaferro, 1995). However, this selection is coarse and not widely used as

a fine quality turf. Numerous seed established cultivars with improved cold tolerance, texture and

density are now commercially available (NTEP, 2002). Many of these new seeded cultivars are

as well-suited for fine quality turf as traditional vegetative cultivars.

Zoysiagrass seed has also been around for a number of years, but was not commonly used

because of low seed production and poor germination rates (Portz et al. 1981; Yeam et al., 1981;

Samudio, 1996). Recently, cultivars with increased seed production have been developed as well

as treatments to improve germination rates. Like bermudagrass, many of the new seeded

zoysiagrass cultivars produce high-quality turf (NTEP, 2001).

As a result of these improvements, warm-season grass establishment by seed is now

being considered on golf courses and athletic fields. Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass

establishment by seed is less labor intensive than vegetative establishment and more cost

effective at less than $2,200 ha-1. In addition, establishment from seed is faster than either

sprigging bermudagrass (Munshaw et al., 1998) or strip-sodding zoysiagrass (Portz et al., 1981).

Seeded bermudagrass and zoysiagrass may allow more use on golf course fairways and tees, and

athletic fields. Since seeded bermudagrass and zoysiagrass cultivars are relatively new, there are

several factors that should be investigated. These factors include seeding rates, seeding dates,

post-seeding herbicide selection and timings, and renovation of existing cool-season stands.

5

Seeding date

Cool-season grasses are best established in later summer or early spring. Late summer is

preferred since competition from summer-annual weed is reduced and air and soil temperatures

are more appropriate for growth (Watschke and Schmidt, 1992). Seeding after the optimum date

with a slow germinating species such as Kentucky bluegrass or a winter injury prone species such

as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) or perennial ryegrass is often unsuccessful. Unlike

cool-season grasses, seeding a warm-season grass in late summer is seldom successful because

there is not sufficient time for adequate establishment before frost (Musser and Perkins, 1969).

Johnson and Thompson (1961) reported that late spring to early summer plantings are

preferred for warm-season grasses. This allows the longest period with warm soil temperatures

necessary for adequate establishment of warm-season grasses (Beard, 1973). Ahring et al. (1975)

reported that Arizona Common bermudagrass seeded after 9 May in Oklahoma resulted in greater

freeze injury than when seeded earlier. Further research confirmed that bermudagrass should be

established by seed early in summer to increase winter survival (Munshaw et al., 1998; Hensler et

al., 1999). However, Ahring et al. (1975) reported an experimental strain of bermudagrass was

not affected by freeze treatment when seeded as late as 21 July in Oklahoma, indicating potential

improvements in cold hardiness through plant breeding. Zoysiagrass was established when

seeded 1 July in Southern Illinois (Portz et al., 1981). Zoysiagrass cultivars established by seed

are tolerant of winters in the transition zone (NTEP, 2001), but no information is available on the

effects of seeding date on winterkill. It is important to define the optimum as well as acceptable

seeding dates for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass establishment and winter survival.

Since temperature affects the growth of these grasses (Unruh, 1996), it would be

beneficial to apply a growing degree day (GDD) model to their establishment. Frank et al. (1998)

used accumulated post-planting GDD to determine the requirements for establishment and

6

survival of buffalograss by seed. A similar model would be useful for bermudagrass and

zoysiagrass and could also be used to make recommendations for areas outside of Indiana.

Seeding rate

Proper seeding rates are necessary for good establishment. A low seeding rate can result

in a sparse stand with low density and high weed competition (Madison, 1966; Parr, 1982). To

offset problems caused by low seeding rates, turf managers often use high seeding rates to insure

rapid turf coverage. However, a high seeding rate can slow maturity, and seedlings cannot

develop until the population is thinned and competition is reduced (Madison, 1966). Although

high seeding rates produce higher seedling densities shortly after emergence, densities are often

similar among seeding rates after one year (Madison, 1966; Lush, 1990). Establishment cost,

physical injury, and disease susceptibility will increase, and plant size, maturity, root growth and

winter hardiness will decrease with higher seeding rates (Madison, 1966; Beard, 1973; Landry

and Choi, 1995; Rossi and Millett, 1996; Munshaw et al., 2001).

Recommended seeding rates for bermudagrass vary. Seeding rates between 12 and 24 kg

ha-1 increased stolon fitness and could increase winter hardiness of ‘Mirage’ bermudagrass

compared to higher seeding rates (Munshaw, 2001). Conversely, Brede (1994) found that

greatest winter hardiness resulted when seeding ‘Cheyenne’ bermudagrass at the rate of 150 kg

ha-1 possibly due to an increase in the overall biomass of the stand. It is important to determine

proper seeding rates to maximize winter hardiness since bermudagrass is often killed in the first

winter after seeding (Philley and Krans, 1998). Recommended seeding rates also vary for

zoysiagrass. Portz et al. (1981) recommended seeding at 38 to 98 kg ha-1 whereas Landry and

Choi (1995) found 98 kg ha-1 produced the highest shoot and root growth in the greenhouse. It is

necessary to determine the optimum range of seeding rates, the potential benefits of higher

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seeding rates for hastening bermudagrass and zoysiagrass establishment, and the effect of seeding

rates on winter survival.

Herbicides

Annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) and goosegrass (Elusine indica

L.) germinate in late spring to early summer at the same time seeded bermudagrass and

zoysiagrass are germinating. Weed control is essential for acceptable establishment of

bermudagrass or zoysiagrass since competition with annual grasses will significantly reduce

establishment rates of vegetatively established cultivars (Carroll et al., 1996; Johnson, 1973).

Due to the rapid establishment and growth rate of bermudagrass, weed competition is greatly

reduced and does not impair establishment as greatly as with zoysiagrass. However, control of

these grassy weeds is important for good establishment. McCalla et al. (2002) are currently

investigating the safety of preemergence and postemergence herbicides on bermudagrass

seedlings.

Current herbicide label recommendations only allow application to established

zoysiagrass because there are little data on the use of herbicides on zoysiagrass seedlings.

Fenoxaprop-ethyl [(±)-2-[4-[(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl) oxy] phenoxy] propionic acid], MSMA

(monosodium methanearsenate), siduron [1-(2-methylcyclohexyl)-3-phenylurea], and dithiopyr

[S,S-dimethyl 2-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(triflurormethyl)-3,5-

pyridinedicarbothioate] are labeled to control crabgrass and goosegrass and are safe when applied

to established zoysiagrass (Dernoeden, 1987; Boyd and Rodgers, 1999), but siduron is the only

herbicide previously researched for its effects on seedlings. Portz et al. (1981) found that the

preemergence herbicide siduron applied at seeding did not reduce coverage of ‘Korean common’

zoysiagrass during establishment. However, siduron provides poor long-term control of annual

grasses (Dernoeden, 1984).

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Dithiopyr, a preemergence herbicide with early postemergence activity, has longer

residual activity than siduron and provides better weed control for cool-season turf renovations

(Reicher et al., 1999). Dithiopyr applied shortly after emergence of cool-season turfgrass species

causes little injury. Dithiopyr at 0.56 kg ha-1 can be applied 10 days after emergence (DAE) to

Kentucky bluegrass, 14 DAE to perennial ryegrass, 17 DAE to creeping bentgrass and 21 DAE to

tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) (Reicher et al, 1999; Reicher et al, 2000; Ralston,

2002). Preliminary field work shows that dithiopyr is safe on zoysiagrass seedlings 14 DAE or

later (Reicher and Hardebeck, 2002b). However, dithiopyr can reduce coverage when applied too

soon after seeding (Reicher et al, 1999; Reicher and Hardebeck, 2002b). Monosodium

methanearsenate does not cause injury to other warm-season grasses such as seedling

buffalograss, but fenoxaprop-ethyl caused injury and reduced seedling coverage (Fry and Upham,

1994). However, on cool-season grasses fenoxaprop-ethyl is less phytotoxic than MSMA, and

fenoxaprop-ethyl is safe to use on some cool-season seedlings (Dernoeden, 1987). Established

‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass is tolerant to MSMA and fenoxaprop-ethyl (Dernoeden, 1987; Boyd and

Rodgers, 1999), but no information is available on their effects on seedling zoysiagrass.

Therefore, fenoxaprop-ethyl and MSMA should be evaluated for safely controlling annual grassy

weeds in zoysiagrass seedling turf.

Fairway Renovation

The objective of fairway renovation is to convert from one species to another as quickly

as possible. If renovation disturbs golfers or closes fairways for long periods, golf courses lose

revenue. Gradual conversion by plugging with bermudagrass and zoysiagrass has been attempted

in the past as a way to convert the existing cool-season turfs into warm-season turfs. Walden and

Chambers (1995) planted twenty-five cultivars of zoysiagrass as plugs into existing stands of tall

9

fescue in an attempt to convert to zoysiagrass. However, no zoysiagrass had established in tall

fescue after two summers of growth due to interspecific competition.

Interseeding a new species directly into existing turf does not disrupt golfers, but may not

be successful because of competition from existing grasses (Eggens, 1979). Interseeding

creeping bentgrass or Kentucky bluegrass into highly competitive annual bluegrass is only

marginally successful (Eggens, 1979; Guassion and Branham, 1989; Reicher and Hardebeck,

2002a). Interseeding a species or cultivar into another similar species or cultivar is unsuccessful

because the new seedlings have little or no competitive edge over the existing established grass

(Kendrick and Danneberger, 2002). However, seeding a warm-season grass into a cool-season

grass may be successful because of their distinctly different seasonal growth cycles. Little

information exists on interseeding a warm-season grass into a cool-season stand. Zoysiagrass

interseeded into perennial ryegrass produced only 5% coverage after one growing season in

Kansas (Zuk and Fry, 2002). However, one seeding rate (49 kg ha-1) was used in their study in

spite of suggested seeding rates of 38 to 98 kg ha-1 (Portz et al., 1981; Landry and Choi, 1995).

Furthermore, Madison (1966) reported higher seeding rates of cool-season grasses increase

seedling number shortly after emergence. Therefore, higher seeding rates may give zoysiagrass

seedlings a competitive advantage when interseeding existing cool-season turf.

The objectives of my research were to

1. Identify the range of acceptable seeding dates for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass

and determine if a relationship exists between winter survival and seeding date,

while also identifying the length of time and GDD required to reach 95%

coverage;

2. Identify the range of acceptable seeding rates of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass

and determine if a relationship exists between winter survival and seeding rate;

3. Evaluate common crabgrass control products for safety on seedling zoysiagrass;

10

4. Determine the effect of seeding rate and non-selective herbicides on zoysiagrass

establishment when interseeding into perennial ryegrass; and

5. Determine the effect of seeding rate and post-seeding herbicides on zoysiagrass

conversion on 4 golf courses in the transition zone.

11

References

Ahring, R.M., W.W. Huffine, C.M. Talifero, and R.D. Morrison. 1975. Stand establishment of

bermudagrass from seed. Agron. J. 67:229-232.

Anonymous. 1960. Winter kill problems with bermudagrass. Mid-Continent Turfletter, USGA

Green Section No. 3. p.1-2.

Beard, J.B. 1973. Turfgrass science and culture. Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Beard, J.B. and the United States Golf Association. 2002. Turf management for golf courses. Ann

Arbor Press, Chelsea, MI.

Biran, I., B. Bravdo, I. Bushkin-Harav, E. Rawitz, 1981. Water consumption and growth rate of

11 turfgrasses as affected by mowing height, irrigation frequency, and soil moisture. Agron.

J. 73:85-90.

Boyd, J., and B. Rodgers. 1999. Zoysiagrass herbicide tolerance. p. 55-57. In J.R. Clark and

M.D. Richardson (ed.) Horticultural studies 1998 (Research Series 466). Ark. Agric. Exp.

Stn., Univ. of Ark. Div. of Agric., Fayetteville, AR.

Brede, A.D. 1994. Seeding rate, fall fertilization, and cutting height effects on ‘Cheyenne’

bermudagrass winter survival. p. 194. In Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.

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Fig. 1. Location of the transition climatic zone for turfgrass species in the United States.

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