Fairway Bermudagrass Overseed Trials 2007-2008

Abstract

Overseeding bermudagrass with a cool season grass species is often necessary because of cold temperature dormancy (to bermudagrass) realized in the overwhelmingly large majority of winter seasons. Forty (40) entries of either perennial, annual, or hybrid ryegrass cultivars, blends and species mixtures, were evaluated for season long overseed performance under semi-arid conditions over Tifway bermudagrass mowed at 5/8". Treatment "mean squares" were statistically significant on all evaluation dates for turfgrass color, quality, density, texture, and percent canopy composition. Entries differed in mean quality performance based on the time of year (fall, winter vs. spring). Entries with high fall/winter quality scores included Cutter II perennial ryegrass, Dasher III perennial ryegrass, PST-2TQL perennial ryegrass, PST- 2TQL perennial ryegrass, Revenge GLX perennial ryegrass, 7.0516 perennial ryegrass, DGA ryegrass blend, Derby, 03 PT-3 Poa trivialis, and Palmer V. Entries which ranked highest for spring performance included New Arrival, Palmer GLS, L4O-6-XLT-1, Patriot 4, Overture blend, Shining Star, and 041- LH. Entries which ranked highest for year round quality included New Arrival, Palmer V, Palmer GLS, 03PT3 Poa trivialis, PST-2TQL, Overture blend 042LH hybrid ryegrass, and Top Gun II. Entries which had an early and strong transition as well as good quality prior to and including the transition included the following: Patriot 4, Shining Star, L040-6-XLT-1, 04-2 LH hybrid ryegrass, Applaud II, 7.0156, Revenge GLX, SPT-2T QL, Palmer 4 and New Arrival.