Rapid Conversion of the Golf Course Putting Greens to Glyphosate-resistant Creeping Bentgrass

A genetically transformed creeping bentgrass cultivar that is resistant to the nonselective herbicide glyphosate has been developed. To date, glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass is not commercially available, but its use could ease weed control and improve overall quality of the putting surface. This innovation presents golf course superintendents with the opportunity to convert existing putting greens to glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass. To minimize disruption of golf play, methods that speed conversion of putting greens are needed. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate how seeding date, mowing height, and nitrogen (N) fertility level affect conversion speed of established putting greens to glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass.