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Evaluating the Effects of Nitrogen Rate and Simulated Golf Cart Traffic on ‘Cody’ Buffalograss Roughs
Author(s) -
Alderman Evan J.,
Hoyle Jared A.,
Reeves Jake A.,
Braun Ross C.
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/cftm2018.09.0079
Subject(s) - cart , environmental science , agronomy , zoology , mathematics , geography , biology , archaeology
Core Ideas Limited information is available concerning the effects of nitrogen (N) and golf cart traffic rates on buffalograss roughs. Increasing the N rate, especially from 0 to 1 or 1 to 2 lb N/1000 ft 2 /year, will increase the ability of buffalograss to better withstand traffic stress from golf carts in traffic situations. Increased late season percent green turfgrass cover and turfgrass quality were observed when applying 2 lb to 3 lb N/1000 ft 2 /year on buffalograss roughs. Buffalograss was able to maintain adequate green cover and acceptable quality with traffic rates up to 4 traffic passes/week.Buffalograss [ Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] is increasing in popularity for use in golf course roughs in semiarid climates of the transitional climatic zone due to its low water requirements. Limited information is available concerning the effects of nitrogen (N) and golf cart traffic rates on buffalograss roughs. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of N rate and repeated simulated golf cart traffic on buffalograss maintained at golf course rough mowing height. Three field trials were initiated in July 2014 and 2015 in Manhattan, KS on ‘Cody’ buffalograss. Treatment factors were four N application rates (0, 1, 2, and 3 lb N/1000 ft 2 ) and five traffic application rates (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 passes/week) with a custom‐built golf cart traffic simulator. Regardless of traffic rate, as N rate increased, percent green cover (PGC), visual turf quality (VQ), and turf color increased. Results from this study indicate that an increase in N rate, especially from 0 to 1 lb N/1000 ft 2 /year and from 1 to 2 lb N/1000 ft 2 /year will increase the ability of buffalograss to better withstand traffic stress during the summer. Although, there may be minimal benefits of applying above 2 lb N/1000 ft 2 /year on buffalograss roughs. As traffic rate increased, regardless of N rate, buffalograss PGC, VQ, and turf color decreased, especially at 8 and 16 passes/week. Generally, buffalograss was able to maintain adequate PGC and acceptable VQ with traffic rates up to 4 traffic passes/week. We recommend that buffalograss turf managers carefully monitor traffic on buffalograss, especially in high traffic areas in the rough. Results show trafficked buffalograss can maintain adequate PGC and VQ when maintained at varying N levels.