Solving Those Overseeding Blues

Leah A. Brilman, Ph.D.Research Director

Seed Research of Oregonwww.sroseed.com

Thanks!Eric Case - Marriot’s Camelback Golf Resort, Scottsdale, AZ

Shawn Emerson, Joe Tropico, Chris Montague - Desert Mountain Golf Properties, Carefree, AZ

Paul Elwood - The Gallery, Marana, AZ

Jim Moore - TPC Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, FL

Fred Klauk - TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra, FL

Cal Roth - TPC

Dr. Bruce Martin - Clemson University, SC

Dr. Larry Stowell - PACE

Kelly Schuck - ProSource One, Glendale, AZ

Why overseed ?

Provide green color during winter =

more play and more revenue

Increase wear tolerance during

dormant season

Improved playing surface during winter

What to overseed ?Dependent on location, budget, and course

design

Greens - Most courses

Fairways - Many courses

Roughs - Some courses

Species selection also depends on location,

budget, and course design

Why overseed withdifferent species?Use mixtures for genetic diversity

Resistance to diseases and stresses

Color contrast

Improved transition

Improved quality

Smaller seeds

Potential cost savings

Why overseed withdifferent species?Resistance to diseases and stresses

Chytridiomycete on Poa trivialis in SC

Why overseed withdifferent species?

Color contrast

Species for OverseedingRyegrasses

Perennial, intermediate, annualFine fescues

Chewings, slender creeping red, strong creeping red, hard

BentgrassesVelvet, colonial, creeping, dryland, Idaho

BluegrassesRough bluegrass, Kentucky, others

Other species

Perennial RyegrassAssets

Standard

High quality - tops many tests

Rapid germination

Quick establishment

Very dark green color

Known cultural conditions

Good Poa control

Perennial RyegrassProblems

Poor transition, heat tolerance high

Susceptible to Chytridiomycete fungus Wider leaf bladeLarger seed size - more difficult to

establish in ultradwarfsSoil surface disruption & damage for

establishmentMost expensive per square foot

Intermediate RyegrassNew improved varieties for turf

Quality significantly better than annuals or

older intermediates

Medium green

Quality approaching older turf-type perennials

Quicker transition than perennials

Less expensive than perennials

Can be included in mixtures

Fine fescuesChewings, slender creeping red,

Strong creeping red, hardVery fine with stiff texture

Good wear tolerance

Winter-active growth

Improved transition with high quality

Rapid germination - Chewings and red

Resistance to Chytridiomycete fungus

Medium seed size

Fine fescuesHigh salt tolerance

Color and texture contrast

Increase genetic diversity of mixtures

Mixtures with perennial ryegrass,

bentgrasses, Poa trivialis

Seeding rates (alone) - Do not mow too soon

Greens 25 - 30 lbs./1000 sq. ft.

Tees 20-25 lbs./1000 sq. ft.

Fairways 10-15 lbs./1000 sq.ft. - Excellent

Dawson slender Perennial ryegrass

Creeping red fescue

Velvet Bentgrass Very small seed size (best for ultradwarfs)

Best putting surface

Highest wear tolerance, high density

Medium establishment

Germinates well at low soil temperatures

Medium dark green

Best shade tolerance

Excellent transition

Velvet Bentgrass

SR 7200 Velvet bentgrass

Creeping bentgrass

Colonial bentgrass‘Highland’ bentgrass is a dryland bentgrass

not a colonial bentgrass

Highland ColonialA. castellana A. capillaris

blue-green true green

stolons stolons

long rhizomes usually no rhizomes

scalp/false crown more upright

Colonial bentgrass Small seed (good for ultra-dwarf bermudas)

Medium establishment

Medium dark green

High wear tolerance

Good transition

High turf quality

High density

Less expensive

Creeping bentgrassSmall seed (good for ultradwarfs)

High putting quality

High salt tolerance

Moderate transition - cultivar dependent

Can persist into early summer

Medium to slow establishment

Dark to medium blue green color

Excellent if have heavy play in early summer

Other bentgrassDryland “Highland” bentgrass,

Idaho bentgrass, Redtop

Small seed (good for ultradwarfs)

Quality not as high

Moderate transition

Variable establishment

Dark to medium gray green color

Rough bluegrassSmaller seed size (ultradwarfs & zoysias)Medium to fast establishment rateStoloniferous (can become weed)Transition - poor to goodFine textureLight to medium greenHigh densityVery susceptible to ChytridiomyceteBlend of cultivars or lots improves

establishment

Kentucky bluegrassSmaller seed size (ultradwarfs & zoysias)Slow establishment rate, best if need

spring or early summer performanceStoloniferous / rhizomatousTransition - poor to goodFine to medium textureDark green colorHigh density

Excellent cold tolerance and retain their green

color under freezing temperatures

Species Mixtures

Combines strengths/weaknessesLess likely to have diseasesAdjust initial management/mowing

to insure multiple species establishSmoothes out transition, more stagedCan reduce costs

Species MixturesSuccessful mixturesPerennial ryegrass + rough bluegrassAbove + bentgrass (velvet, creeping, colonial)Colonial bentgrass + Chewings or red fescueVelvet bentgrass + Chewings or red fescueRough bluegrass + bentgrassPerennial ryegrass + fine fescuesAbove + bentgrassesSlender creeping red + creeping bent -

salt or Chrytridiomycete sites

Other species

Hairgrasses - Deschampsia ssp.Dark to light greenTransitions wellVery wear tolerant

Junegrasses - Koeleria ssp.Seeding rates?Good color, wear tolerance

Improving transitionBermudagrass preparation

Control thatch during summer - frequentlight verticutting, topdressingHeavy verticutting damages stolons and

rhizomes needed for recoverySpring Management

Lower mowing height - scalping on roughsIncreased nitrogenLight verticutting if hot - check bermudaAerification and topdressing

Future Work

Collect and evaluate more species

Regionalize species recommendations

New species need management/chemical work

Work with Universities/ Plant Material Centers

Economic seed production

Market development