 |
|
||||||||||
 From the News Desk...Research: Choose fescue for water-wise turfby John ReitmanAs access to water and imposed use restrictions become more of a reality for golf course superintendents in many parts of the country, tall fescue shows promise as being more drought resistant than other cool-season grasses in the transition zone. Recent studies conducted by researchers at Kansas State University showed that tall fescue developed longer roots than other cool-season grasses during times of drought stress. The study was conducted in 2004 (Aug. 3 to Oct. 8) and 2005 (June 27 to Sept. 15) at the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center by Kemin Su, Ph.D., then a doctoral student, Dale Bremer, Ph.D., Steven Keeley, Ph.D., and Jack Fry, Ph.D. Results of the study were published recently ion the Agronomy Journal. According to the research team, 16 percent to 20 percent of all root length of tall fescue throughout the duration of the two-year study extended into the lower profile (60 cm to 80 cm), while only 4 percent to 10 percent of the roots of other grasses, including two hybrid bluegrasses – Thermal Blue and Reveille – and Apollo Kentucky bluegrass. Each plot comprised an 80 cm profile and were watered at 100 percent of water lost via evapotranspiration and 60 percent of ET. Root length density in the deepest part of the profile (60 cm to 80 cm) was three to 12 times greater in tall fescue than the other grasses. Likewise, root surface area was five to 20 times greater in tall fescue. The finders are in stark contrast to 2005 Colorado State University study in which hybrid bluegrasses exhibited the deepest root growth under drought stress. The majority of all root growth occurred in the top level of the profile for all grasses in the study, although tall fescue had a lower percentage of its roots in the upper profile. The Kansas State study also showed that Reveille extracted more water from the profile than the other grasses, indicating it could use more water over time. Although the researchers did address the possibility that fescue – Dynasty in this study – could extract more water from deep in the profile – below 50 cm. The study showed that Reveille, despite its water consumption, exhibited the least root density and root surface area throughout the entire profile. Those findings also contradicted several previous studies that drew a direct correlation between water use and greater root density, surface area. Thermal Blue showed the greatest root density and root surface area in the upper profile (surface to 30 cm), and both hybrid blues recovered from drought stress better than the Kentucky bluegrass. Overall, Dynasty exhibited the highest visual turf quality in both watering trials (60 percent of ET, 100 percent of ET), followed by Reveille. Thermal Blue and Apollo Kentucky bluegrass exhibited similar visual turf quality. Although the study showed that tall fescue might be better suited than the other grasses for use under drought conditions in the transition zone, the researchers concluded that more studies are needed that encompass more turf varieties. |
In other news... Bayer consolidates professional, consumer divisions Jacqueline Applegate to oversee both segments; Josh Weeks to retire in November. Posted: 09/09/2010 Read more » July heat keeps many golfers at home Rounds played at private clubs, daily fee facilities drops 5 percent. Posted: 09/08/2010 Read more » Study examines spring pre-stress fertility programs Research finds no correlation between biostimulant applications before spring core cultivation and recovery. Posted: 09/02/2010 Read more » Aquatrols, TurfNet present Water Week The series of five Webinars is aimed at helping superintendents manage water and soils more efficiently. Posted: 09/01/2010 Read more » News and people briefs Registration opens soon for Irrigation Show, Briggs & Stratton elects new chairman, FMC taps new director for professional solutions division Posted: 09/01/2010 Read more » Complete news index » |
|
 |
 — The TurfNet Media Network: TurfNet.com, TurfNet TV, TurfNet Monthly, TurfNet University — Connecting golf course superintendents worldwide, since 1994. © 1994-2010, Turnstile Publishing Company. All rights reserved. |
 |