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Variability in Creeping Bentgrass Cultivar Germinability as Influenced by Cold Temperatures
Author(s) -
Heineck Garett C,
Bauer Samuel J.,
Cavanaugh Matthew,
Hollman Andrew,
Watkins Eric,
Horgan Brian P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
crop, forage and turfgrass management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.29
H-Index - 10
ISSN - 2374-3832
DOI - 10.2134/cftm2018.07.0054
Subject(s) - cultivar , germination , agrostis stolonifera , agronomy , biology , proclamation , agrostis , horticulture , poaceae , political science , law
Core Ideas Golf course superintendents often overseed winter‐damaged areas with creeping bentgrass in the early spring when temperatures are not ideal for rapid germination. Typical spring temperatures in the upper Midwest were used to define treatments in a controlled environment study to determine general germination response from early April to late May. Response was measured across 21 cultivars to find those with superior germinability under suboptimal conditions. The study found that creeping bentgrass does not germinate below 45°F. At temperatures typical to mid‐April, the cultivars Proclamation, Declaration, and Pure Select had the best germinability.Re‐establishing creeping bentgrass greens after winter damage can be a significant challenge in cold climates. Golf course superintendents require creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera L.) cultivars that are able to germinate under suboptimal temperatures to ensure early spring play. Little is known about cultivar differences for cold temperature germination; therefore, we assessed the germinability of 21 creeping bentgrass cultivars in a controlled environment. Temperature treatments represented a range of spring temperatures in Minnesota from 7 April to 25 May. Germination began occurring at the 19 April treatment. Top‐performing cultivars included Proclamation, Declaration, and Pure Select while Independence and Memorial performed poorly. Overall, we found that temperatures below 45°F do not allow for sufficient creeping bentgrass germination regardless of cultivar. There were few relevant differences for the 25 May treatment. Golf course superintendents should carefully consider cultivar differences when seeding at suboptimal temperatures.