whose turf are you standing on….basics of lawngrass ......‘empire’ •sod solutions (1999)...

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Turfgrass Species and Cultivar Selection Laurie E. Trenholm, Ph.D. Urban Turfgrass Specialist University of Florida Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass Selection and Maintenance Laurie E. Trenholm, Ph.D. Urban Turfgrass Specialist University of Florida

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Page 1: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Turfgrass Species and

Cultivar Selection

Laurie E. Trenholm, Ph.D.

Urban Turfgrass Specialist

University of Florida

Whose Turf Are You Standing

On….Basics of Lawngrass

Selection and Maintenance

Laurie E. Trenholm, Ph.D.

Urban Turfgrass Specialist

University of Florida

Page 2: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Warm-Season Turfgrasses

• Bahiagrass

• Bermudagrass

• Buffalograss

• Carpetgrass

• Centipedegrass

• Seashore Paspalum

• St. Augustinegrass

• Zoysiagrass

Page 3: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Bahiagrass

• Grows by rhizomes

• Grows in bunches

• Likes acidic soil

rhizome

Page 4: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge)

• Advantages

– Good drought tolerance

– Low fertility requirements

– Low maintenance

– Tolerant of sandy, acidic, infertile soils

– Establishes from seed

Page 5: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)

• Disadvantages – Produces abundance of

seedheads

– Open growth habit encourages weed competition

– Susceptible to mole crickets

– Coarse stems are difficult to mow

– Not wear tolerant

Page 6: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum Walt Kunze)

Page 7: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

St. Augustinegrass

Advantages

– Best shade tolerance of warm-season grasses, but varies within species

– Good salt tolerance

– Tolerant to wide range of soil pH

– Establishes quickly from sod

– The “standard” - we know how to manage it!

Page 8: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Disadvantages –Only grows by stolons (aboveground)– no underground protection

–Requires water

–Poor wear tolerance

–Forms excessive thatch

–No chinch bug tolerance currently

–Loss of herbicides for grassy weed control

St. Augustinegrass

Page 9: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Common St. Augustinegrass Cultivars

• Bitter Blue

• Captiva (dwarf)

• Delmar (dwarf)

• Floratam

• Palmetto

• Seville (dwarf)

Page 10: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Floratam

• Used in majority of home lawns in FL

• Released in early 1970s

• Initially had chinch bug resistance – currently does not

• Has large, wide leaf blades and wide stolons

• Mow at 3.5-4”

Page 11: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Palmetto • Lighter green and shorter growth

• Claims that it has “excellent drought, shade, cold etc. tolerance not backed by research

• Not as widely grown as 10 years ago

Page 12: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Delmar and Seville • “Dwarf” cultivars – mow at 2-2.5”

• Best shade tolerance – 4-6 hours of sun daily

• Better cold tolerance in Delmar

Page 13: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

New St. Augustinegrass Cultivars

• Captiva (dwarf)

• Classic

• Sapphire

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Page 14: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Captiva St. Augustinegrass

• Dwarf variety (mow 2-2.5”)

• Better shade tolerance than Floratam

• Improved tolerance to chinch bug damage

• Water and fertilizer requirements similar to other St. Augustinegrass cultivars

Page 15: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Classic St. Augustinegrass

• Good cold tolerance

• Good shade tolerance

• Claimed to be more drought tolerant and to have a denser root system

• Claimed to have good heat tolerance

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Page 16: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Sapphire •From Sod Solutions www.sodsolutions.com

•Claims good shade, drought tolerance

•Claims reduced fertilizer and water

•Deep green color

Page 18: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Older Zoysias

• Slow growing, lengthy establishment

• Nematode issues

• Disease more prevalent than some other species

• Coarse leaf texture

• Prone to thatch

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Page 19: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Newer Zoysias

• Slow growing, but much faster than older varieties

• Nematode issues – generally not as damaging as on older varieties

• Disease more prevalent than some other species

• Coarse leaf texture

• Prone to thatch

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Page 20: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Japonicas vs. Matrellas (“coarse” vs. “fine”)

Japonicas

• Higher mowing height (2-2.5”)

• Rotary mower

• Medium shade tolerance

• Medium traffic tolerance

• Low N users

• Disease susceptibility

Matrellas

• Lower mowing height

• Rotary or reel

• Better shade tolerance

• Better traffic tolerance

• May need higher N, use dependent

• Disease susceptibility

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Page 21: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Japonicas vs. Matrellas (“coarse” vs. “fine”)

Japonicas

• El Toro

• Empire

• JaMur

• Meyer

• Palisades

• UltimateFLora

Matrellas

• Cashmere

• Diamond

• Emerald

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Page 22: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘El Toro’ (japonica) • University of California (1986) • a.k.a. “Toro” • Poor turf quality in the north, but good in the transition

zone and the south • Good winter color with good winter hardiness • Coarse leaf texture • Fast recuperative potential and establishment rate • Less dense and less thatch • Fair shade tolerance • Excellent drought tolerance and very good salinity

tolerance • Does well in high pH soils • Moderately resistant to most insect pests

Page 23: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

El Toro

Page 24: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Empire Zoysiagrass (japonica)

Page 25: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘Empire’ • Sod Solutions (1999) • Poor turf quality in the north, good in the

transition zone, and very good in the south • Blue-green leaf color • Slower vertical growth and establishment than

some other species • Fair winter hardiness, slow spring green-up

(nitrogen dependent) • Reduced maintenance zoysiagrass • Salinity tolerance largely unknown • Adapted to Florida’s sandy soils

– Consistently good performance in Florida

Page 26: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Empire Zoysiagrass

• Low-growing, dense

• Very responsive to nitrogen

• Shade tolerance similar to Floratam

• Hunting billbug pests

• Susceptible to large patch -disease management is a critical factor in maintaing zoysiagrasses

• Tends to get thatchy

• Nematode tolerance?

Page 27: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

this slide Courtesy Brian Schwartz, UGA

Page 29: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘JaMur’ • Bladerunner Farms (1996) • a.k.a. “Jack Murray” • Poor turf quality in the north, fair in the transition zone,

and good in the south • Medium to coarse leaf texture • Dense canopy • Poor winter hardiness • Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions • Quick establishment rate • Fast recuperative potential for zoysiagrass • Good shade, wear tolerance • Salinity and drought tolerance very good • Pest tolerance largely unknown

Page 31: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Jamur

Page 32: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘Meyer’ (japonica) • USDA – USGA (1951)

• a.k.a. “Z-52” or “Amazoy”

• Most cold-hardy zoysiagrass cultivar

• Very good quality in north and transition zone; poor in south

• Deep green color

• Medium leaf texture

• VERY slow to establish

• Very dense once established

• Good drought and salinity tolerance

• Less shade tolerant

• Susceptible to infestation from mites, sod webworms, hunting billbugs, mole crickets, and nematodes

Page 33: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Meyer

Page 34: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Fayetteville, AR

Page 35: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘Palisades’ (japonica) • Texas A&M University (1996) • Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition

zone, and very good in the south • High density • Medium-coarse textured leaf • Quick growth rate and recuperative ability • Good winter hardiness • Lower water use requirement • Very good salinity tolerance • Moderate pest tolerance • Good shade tolerance • NOT PRODUCED IN FLORIDA

Page 36: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

this slide Courtesy Brian Schwartz, UGA

Page 37: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Austin Golf Club, this slide Courtesy Brian Schwartz, UGA

Page 38: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

UltimateFlora

Page 39: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

UltimateFlora

• UF release

• Finer leaf texture than some other japonicas (including Empire)

• Few seedheads noted

• Deep green color

• Fast grow-in

Page 40: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘Diamond’ (matrella) • Texas A&M University (1997) • Poor turf quality in the north and transition zone, with very good

turf quality in the south • Fine to dwarf leaf texture • Slow growth rate • Very dense • Excellent shade and salt tolerance • Excellent color retention • Excellent sod strength • Scalping tendency • Poor winter hardiness • Good resistance to the tawny mole cricket, but susceptible to

tropical sod webworm and zoysiagrass mite damage • Use in areas with poor water quality, excellent salinity tolerance

Page 41: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

this slide Courtesy Brian Schwartz, UGA

Page 42: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Shaded tee box at the Country Club of Birmingham

Page 43: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

‘Emerald’ (matrella) • Georgia AES – USGA (1955)

• Excellent turf quality in the south

• Deep green color with fine texture and good density

• Widely adapted

• Good shade tolerance

• Good winter hardiness

• Good drought and salinity tolerance

• Moderately slow growth rate

• Thatch build-up may be a problem

• Moderately resistant to most insect pests

Page 44: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

this slide Courtesy Brian Schwartz, UGA

Page 45: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

The Big Myth With Turfgrass– Water Use!

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Page 46: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Turfgrass Water Use Rates • Dr. Michael Dukes and team

• Compared water use (ET) of 4 warm-season grasses

• Final report not available yet, but synopsis:

• Water use ranking under well watered conditions (high to low):

– Bahiagrass

– Empire and Floratam were about the same and LESS than bahiagrass

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Page 47: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Deficit Irrigation Research

• Glasshouse research , Ph D student project

• Objective to look at different grasses under deficit irrigation rates over time

• Maintained grasses at 100, 80, 60, or 40% ET

• Floratam, Palmetto, Sea Isle 1, Empire, Argentine bahiagrass

• Wide range of physiological measurements as well as visual ratings

Page 50: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Average Quality

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

100 80 60 40

Argentine

Empire

Floratam

Palmetto

Sea Isle 1

Deficit Irrigation as % ET

Page 51: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Photosynthesis Rates

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

100 80 60 40

Argentine

Empire

Floratam

Palmetto

Sea Isle 1

Deficit Irrigation as % ET

Page 52: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Bottom Line on Irrigation

• All warm-season species need about the same amount of water to stay green

• Responses vary under water deficits

• Recovery varies between species

• Do not let perceived water use influence your choice of a grass

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Page 53: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Fertilization of Lawngrasses

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Page 54: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Current UF/IFAS Fertility Recommendations

(lbs. N 1000 ft-2 yr-1)

St. Augustinegrass:

North FL: 2-4

Central FL: 2-5

South FL: 4-6

Page 55: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Current UF/IFAS Fertility Recommendations

(lbs. N 1000 ft-2 yr-1) Zoysiagrass*:

North FL: 2-4

Central FL: 2-5

South FL: 4-6

For japonicas, approximately 3 lbs N 1000 ft-2 yr-1 adequate – more increases disease

Page 56: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Current UF/IFAS Fertility Recommendations

(lbs. N 1000 ft-2 yr-1)

Bahiagrass:

North FL: 2-3

Central FL: 2-4

South FL: 2-4

Page 57: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Fertilization Timing

• North Florida – 2-4 x/yr during growing season (April-Sept)

• Central Florida – 2-5 x/yr during growing season (April-Oct)

• South Florida – 3-6 x/yr (year-round)

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Page 58: Whose Turf Are You Standing On….Basics of Lawngrass ......‘Empire’ •Sod Solutions (1999) •Poor turf quality in the north, good in the transition zone, and very good in the

Questions About Turfgrass?

[email protected]

• http://hort.ufl.edu/yourfloridalawn/

• http://turf.ufl.edu

• http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/

Thank you for your interest!

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