Sand topdressing and protective covers impact creeping bentgrass crown moisture during winter

Winter desiccation injury can severely impact golf courses in the northern and central Great Plains. While it is well‐established that turfgrass crown moisture content (CMC) declines during fall cold‐acclimation, little is known about CMC during winter desiccation stress and how management practices influence CMC during desiccation stress. The objectives of this study were to understand how protective covers, sand topdressing, and spray‐applied treatments impact creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera ) CMC and spring green‐up following winter desiccation stress in Nebraska. Spray‐applied treatments included a turf colorant, horticultural oil plus colorant, anti‐transpirant, and a fall applied soil wetting agent. Crown moisture content was measured monthly from December to March at Mead, NE and after winter in Axtell, NE. Visual turfgrass quality ratings were used to monitor survival and spring regrowth. Late‐fall sand topdressing and permeable and impermeable protective covers reduced winter desiccation injury compared to a non‐treated plot. Turfgrass CMC ranged from 0.251 to 0.764 g H 2 O g −1 fresh weight (FW) depending on treatment and location. Logistic regression indicated that turf plants with a CMC of 0.518 g H 2 O g −1 FW had a 50% probability of significant winter desiccation injury. Under severe desiccation pressure, the spray‐applied treatments did not prevent winter desiccation injury. Under these circumstances, a majority of plots receiving spray‐applied treatments had a March CMC of less than 0.500 g H 2 O g −1 . Physical protection of turfgrass crowns with covers or sand topdressing in late fall sustained CMC during late‐winter and decreased the potential for winter desiccation injury the following spring.