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Establishment of Poa annua var. reptans from Seed under Golf Course Conditions in the Pacific Northwest
Author(s) -
Miltner Eric D.,
Stahnke Gwen K.,
Rinehart Geoffrey J.,
Backman Paul A.,
Johnston William J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2004.2154
Subject(s) - mulch , loam , seedling , poa annua , peat , seeding , agronomy , biology , horticulture , environmental science , soil water , poaceae , ecology
The recent release of ‘True‐Putt’ (previously ‘DW‐184’) creeping bluegrass [ Poa annua f. reptans (Hausskn.) T. Koyama] gives turfgrass managers a new option for seeding annual bluegrass ( P. annua L.) greens. Because little is known about the culture and management of this new cultivar, experiments were conducted to determine effective seeding practices under sunny and shady conditions. Sites included sand‐based media in full sun, sand‐based media in partial shade, and fine sandy loam soil in full sun. Three surface mulch treatments (peat moss, pelletized paper mulch, and polypropylene fabric) and an unmulched control were compared. Peat resulted in the most rapid seedling emergence, percentage cover, and vertical growth rate, followed closely by the polypropylene fabric. Pelletized mulch had limited effectiveness. Because introducing an organic layer such as peat onto the surface of sand‐based greens can alter soil physical properties, the fabric may be the best choice. Seedling emergence occurred more quickly in the sun than the shade, but there was no difference in rate of coverage due to sun exposure. Establishment occurred quickly on the sandy loam soil even in unmulched plots, indicating that use of a mulch was less important there than on the sand‐based media. Results of this research will help turfgrass practitioners to effectively establish this newly commercially available species, especially in settings where rapid turf establishment is important.