%0 Journal Article
%T Persistence of Overseeded Cool-Season Grasses in Bermudagrass Turf
%A Thomas Serensits
%A Matthew Cutulle
%A Jeffrey F. Derr
%J International Journal of Agronomy
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2011/496892
%X Cool-season grass species are commonly overseeded into bermudagrass turf for winter color. When the overseeded grass persists beyond the spring; however, it becomes a weed. The ability of perennial ryegrass, Italian (annual) ryegrass, intermediate ryegrass, and hybrid bluegrass to persist in bermudagrass one year after seeding was determined. Perennial ryegrass, intermediate ryegrass, and Italian ryegrass produced acceptable ground cover in the spring after fall seeding. Hybrid bluegrass did not establish well, resulting in unacceptable cover. Perennial ryegrass generally persisted the most one year after seeding, either because of summer survival of plants or because of new germination the following fall. Plant counts one year after seeding were greater in the higher seeding rate treatment compared to the lower seeding treatment rate of perennial ryegrass, suggesting new germination had occurred. Plant counts one year after seeding plots with intermediate ryegrass or Italian ryegrass were attributed primarily to latent germination and not summer survival. Applications of foramsulfuron generally did not prevent overseeded species stand one year after seeding, supporting the conclusion of new germination. Although quality is less with intermediate ryegrass compared to perennial ryegrass, it transitions out easier than perennial ryegrass, resulting in fewer surviving plants one year later. 1. Introduction Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is the primary turfgrass grown on athletic fields and golf courses in regions ranging from the transition zone of the United States to the tropics of the world [1]. The density, color, texture, and summertime vigor of bermudagrass has led to the adaptation of many cultivars for use on home lawns, leisure areas, and athletic fields [2]. While bermudagrass typically provides an ideal turf during the summer, an underlining negative trait of bermudagrass is its winter dormancy period, especially in the transition zone where cold temperatures linger for several months. Overseeding with cool-season grasses is a cultural management technique commonly used to maintain both aesthetic and playability features in dormant bermudagrass during the winter [3, 4]. Overseeding was first practiced on golf courses in the 1930s after initially being used in pasture grasses [5]. Overseeding techniques have evolved since the 1930s; however, the goals remain the same: to provide green turf during bermudagrass dormancy and then transition to bermudagrass in the late spring. If the overseeded grass persists into the summer, it may reduce bermudagrass
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ija/2011/496892/