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Bermudagrass and Cool-Season Turfgrass Mixtures: Response to Simulated Traffic

Dep. of Horticulture, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211

^* Corresponding author.

Availability of newer, more competitive cool-season grasses has renewed interest in persistent, balanced warm- and cool-season species mixtures for sports turf. In this Missouri study, one-time overseedings of blends and mixtures of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaud.), hard fescue (Festuca longifolia Thuill.), and creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. rubra Gaud.) were made on established plots of KSU S-16 and ‘Midiron’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. One-half of each plot was subjected to simulated traffic beginning 18 mon after overseeding, using a modified Brinkman traffic simulator. Quality of four mixtures (bermudagrass + Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass + perennial ryegrass, bermudagrass + perennial ryegrass + Kentucky bluegrass, and bermudagrass + perennial ryegrass + Kentucky bluegrass + Chewings fescue) remained in an acceptable range at most observation dates after 3 yr of spring-and-fall traffic. Bermudagrass control plots were in poor or marginal condition at most observation dates during the same period. Bermudagrass plus fine leaf fescues were severely damaged by simulated traffic. Quality of turf receiving no simulated traffic was generally good and varied seasonally in response to changing environmental conditions. Higher-impact absorption measurements, based on peak deceleration (maximum g) on turf receiving simulated traffic vs. no traffic, were consistent with decreasing thatch and verdure. Traction (in N-m) decreased on trafficked turf as thatch and aboveground biomass deteriorated. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass dominated mixtures with bermudagrass after 3 yr, and showed good tolerance to simulated traffic.

Received for publication December 29, 1992.