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Agronomy Mimeo 77 Revised May, 1999
During the last decade, numerous new turfgrass cultivars have been introduced to the Maryland market. However, many cultivars, although adapted to environmental conditions that occur in other regions of the country, do not adapt to the difficult environmental conditions that occur in the transition zone, which includes Maryland and Virginia. Thus, the University of Maryland, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, and the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) headquartered at Beltsville, MD conduct extensive cultivar trials to identify which cultivars will perform well in this region.
The cultivar data obtained at various locations in Maryland and Virginia are reviewed annually in a joint meeting of university researchers, an NTEP researcher, and of representatives of the departments of agriculture of both states. Use of recommended cultivars usually results in a turfgrass stand of higher quality and density, greater stress tolerance, lower nutrient requirements, less water usage, fewer pest problems and thus reduced pesticide use.
There has been extensive interest in recent years regarding turfgrass species which have reduced nutrient requirements, especially nitrogen. The two recommended turfgrasses with the lowest nitrogen requirements are the fine fescues and zoysiagrass. Turf-type tall fescue has intermediate requirements, whereas Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass generally have the highest nitrogen requirements. However, research has identified some Kentucky bluegrass cultivars that provide fair quality under reduced nitrogen fertility and other maintenance inputs.
The following lists of recommended cultivars represent those that have been performing well in trials in both states over a period of at least several years. Cultivars listed in italics are considered promising but have only been tested in Maryland or Virginia for 2 years, or may be difficult to find due to limited seed availability. Cultivars followed by a numerical following reasons:
The Maryland certified sod program is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Rather than naming individual cultivars, many specifications require that certified sod of a particular turfgrass species be used. Specifying certified sod guarantees that the sod will contain cultivars that are currently recommended by researchers in Maryland and Virginia, will have been seeded in recommended percentages, and will be of high quality (free of insects, weeds, and diseases). Thus, the need for constantly updated specifications to reflect improvements in cultivars is greatly minimized. Listed below are the recommendations for Kentucky bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass sod.
ZOYSIAGRASS SOD
Only six cultivars are currently recommended in Maryland for certified sod production due to potential winter hardiness problems of other cultivars.
BERMUDAGRASS SOD
Only six cultivars are currently suggested for use in Maryland for certified sod production due to potential winter hardiness problems of other cultivars.
KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS SOD
A minimum of 3 Kentucky bluegrass cultivars must be chosen, with each cultivar ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the mixture’s weight. At least 65% of the mixture must be from cultivars listed in Category I. No more than 35% of the mixture may be comprised of promising cultivars.
TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE SOD
The following turf-type tall fescue cultivars may be seeded individually or in blends.
The following Kentucky bluegrass cultivars may be mixed with turf-type tall fescue to enhance sod strength during harvesting (may be up to 10% of the seed mixture by weight).
Many seeding specifications (for municipalities, counties, state and governmental agencies, landscape architects, and professional organizations) state that cultivars used for turfgrass establishment must be selected from this publication, Agronomy Mimeo #77. Following are the recommended seeding mixtures, and the cultivars recommended to be included in these mixtures. Specifications for state highway seeding, while using information provided in this publication, are developed separately and may require some species and/or cultivars not normally recommended for uses other than roadside seeding.
Recommended Species for Seeding Blends and Mixtures
Full Sun High Maintenance Turf - For use in full sun areas that will receive irrigation and intensive management. Perennial ryegrass may be added where rapid establishment is necessary for erosion control. Kentucky bluegrass (85-100%) and perennial ryegrass (0-15%) -- A minimum of 3 bluegrass cultivars should be selected, with each ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the mixture by weight No more than 15% of a perennial ryegrass cultivar should be used as it will predominate if seeded at a higher percentage.
Full Sun to Moderate Shade Turf -- For seeding locations that have both full sun and shady sites. Two different types of seed mixtures may be selected for these sites. Tall fescue turf will tolerate a wider range of management inputs. Kentucky bluegrass - fine fescue turf will generally require higher maintenance for the survival of the Kentucky bluegrass in the sun, but reduced maintenance inputs are recommended for the maximum survival of the creeping red fescue in the shade.
Turf-type tail fescue (100%) -- A single cultivar or a blend of turf-type tall fescue cultivars may be used.
OR
Kentucky bluegrass (80-90%) and creeping red fescue (10-20%) -- A minimum of 3 bluegrass cultivars should be selected, ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the mixture by weight. One creeping red fescue cultivar should be selected. More than 20% creeping red fescue may cause a dominance of this species during establishment.
Low management and/or Shade Turf -- For use on sites that will receive minimal management (no irrigation, low fertility) and/or if the site has partial to full shade.
Fine fescue (100%) -- One of the recommended fine fescues may be selected. Neither blending cultivars nor mixing of fine fescue species have been studied extensively in MD or VA for compatibility. Limited research does not indicate any advantage to either. The fine fescues include hard fescue (H), chewings fescue (C), creeping red fescue (CR), and sheeps fescue(S). Creeping red fescue and slender creeping fescue should be considered only for shady sites and not for sunny, low maintenance sites.
Recommended Cultivars for Seeding Mixture
The recommended cultivars for the species listed in the aforementioned seed blends and mixtures are listed below.
H = hard fescue
S = sheep fescue
C = chewings fescue
CR = creeping red fescue
Prepared by: Dr. Thomas R. Turner, Turfgrass Specialist, Department of Agronomy Mr. Gregory Goudeau, Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy
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